To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating areas within the island of Guam as a National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.
Bill: H.R.2899 | Sponsor: Del. San Nicolas, Michael F. Q. (D-GU)
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
The bill directs the Department of the Interior to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating areas of Guam as a National Heritage Area.

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess 
the suitability and feasibility of designating areas within the island 
      of Guam as a National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. THE GUAM NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY.

    (a) Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
        appropriate regional and local organizations or agencies, shall 
        conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of 
        designating the study areas as National Heritage Areas.
            (2) Requirements.--The study shall include analysis, 
        documentation, and determinations on whether the study areas--
                    (A) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and 
                cultural resources that--
                            (i) represent distinctive aspects of the 
                        heritage of the United States;
                            (ii) are worthy of recognition, 
                        conservation, interpretation, and continuing 
                        use by residents and visitors; and
                            (iii) would be best managed--
                                    (I) through partnerships among 
                                public and private entities; and
                                    (II) by linking diverse and 
                                sometimes noncontiguous resources and 
                                active communities that share a common 
                                heritage;
                    (B) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and 
                folklife that are a valuable part of the story of the 
                United States;
                    (C) provides--
                            (i) outstanding opportunities to conserve 
                        natural, historic, cultural, or scenic 
                        features; and
                            (ii) outstanding recreational and 
                        educational and cultural tourism opportunities;
                    (D) contains resources that--
                            (i) are important to any identified themes 
                        of the study area; and
                            (ii) retain a degree of integrity capable 
                        of supporting interpretation;
                    (E) includes residents, business interests, 
                nonprofit organizations, including museums and heritage 
                organizations, and State and local governments that--
                            (i) are involved in the planning of the 
                        National Heritage Area;
                            (ii) have developed a conceptual financial 
                        plan that outlines the roles of all 
                        participants in the Area, including the Federal 
                        Government; and
                            (iii) have demonstrated support for the 
                        designation of the Area;
                    (F) has a potential management entity to work in 
                partnership with the individuals and entities described 
                in subparagraph (E) to develop the Area while 
                encouraging State and local economic activity; and
                    (G) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported 
                by the public.
    (b) Private Property Considerations.--In conducting the study, the 
Secretary shall consider the potential impact that designation of the 
study area as a national heritage area would have on private property 
on Guam.
    (c) Report.--Not later than the end of the third fiscal year after 
the date on which funds are first made available for this section, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate a report that describes--
            (1) the findings of the study; and
            (2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Area.--The term ``Area'' means a National Heritage Area 
        located in Guam.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (3) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means the island 
        of Guam.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 15, 2022.

            Attest:

                                             CHERYL L. JOHNSON,

                                                                 Clerk.