Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Assessment Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1956
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2015-08-05
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Archaeology and anthropology

Congressional oversight

Economic development

Government studies and investigations

Great Lakes

Historic sites and heritage areas

Historical and cultural resources

Marine and coastal resources, fisheries

Travel and tourism
Latest action: action_date: 2015-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-08-05
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Assessment Act of 2015</b></p> <p> This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to assess and report on the cultural and historic resources in the waters of the Great Lakes. NOAA must make recommendations in the report on whether: (1) underwater geographic areas in the Great Lakes should be designated as national marine sanctuaries to protect resources of historical and archeological significance; and (2) the designation of a network of underwater Great Lakes areas that protect those resources could bring significant educational opportunities, economic development, jobs, and tourism to the Great Lakes region.</p>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1956 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES August 5, 2015 Ms. Stabenow (for herself, Mr. Peters , and Ms. Baldwin ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To require the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere to conduct an assessment of cultural and historic resources in the waters of the Great Lakes, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Assessment Act of 2015 . 2. Assessment of cultural and historic resources in waters of Great Lakes (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere shall— (1) conduct an assessment of cultural and historic resources in the waters of the Great Lakes; and (2) submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the Under Secretary with respect to such assessment. (b) Elements The report required by subsection (a)(2) shall include the following: (1) Identification of underwater geographic areas in the Great Lakes that possess historical and archaeological resources of sufficient value and density to make them nationally significant. (2) A description of the historical and archaeological resources in such geographic areas. (3) An evaluation of community interest in preserving and interpreting such resources. (4) Recommendations regarding whether such geographic areas should be designated as national marine sanctuaries to protect resources of historical and archeological significance. (5) Recommendations regarding whether the designation of a network of underwater Great Lakes areas that protect resources of historical and archeological significance, including the existing successful Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, could bring significant educational opportunities, economic development, jobs, and tourism to the Great Lakes region. (c) Collaboration In carrying out this section, the Under Secretary shall collaborate with local communities.