Buffalo Bayou National Heritage Area Study Act
PL 107-337 (H.R.1776), enacted 12/16/2002

PUBLIC LAW 107-337—DEC. 16, 2002 
116 STAT. 2883 
Public Law 107-337 
107th Congress 
An Act 
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility 
of establishing the Buffalo Bayou National Heritage Area in west Houston, Texas. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the "Buffalo Bayou National Heritage 
Area Study Act". 
SEC. 2
. 
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STUDY REGARDING BUFFALO 
BAYOU, 
TEXAS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—^The Congress finds the following: 
(1) The area beginning at Shepherd Drive in west Houston, 
Texas, and extending to the Turning Basin, commonly referred 
to as the "Buffalo Bayou", made a unique contribution to the 
cultural, political, and industrial development of the United 
States. 
(2) The Buffalo Bayou is distinctive as the first spine of 
modern industrial development in Texas and one of the first 
ailong the Gulf of Mexico coast. 
(3) The Buffalo Bayou played a significant role in the 
struggle for Texas independence. 
(4) The Buffalo Bayou developed a prosperous and produc-
tive shipping industry that survives today. 
(5) The Buffalo Bayou led in the development of Texas' 
petrochemical industry that made Houston the center of the 
early oil boom in America. 
(6) The Buffalo Bayou developed a sophisticated shipping 
system, leading to the formation of the modem day Houston 
Ship Channel. 
(7) The Buffalo Bayou developed a significant industrial 
base, and served as the focal point for the new city of Houston. 
(8) There is a longstanding commitment by the Buffalo 
Bayou Partnership, Inc., to complete the Buffalo Bayou Trail 
along the 12-mile segment of the Buffalo Bayou. 
(9) There is a need for assistance for the preservation 
and promotion of the significance of the Buffalo Bayou as 
a system for transportation, industry, commerce, and immigra-
tion. 
(10) The Department of the Interior is responsible for pro-
tecting the Nation's cultural and historical resources. There 
are significant examples of such resources within the Buffalo 
Dec. 16, 2002 
[H.R. 1776] 
Buffalo Bayou 
National 
Heritage Area 
Study Act. 
116 STAT. 2884 
PUBLIC LAW 107-337—DEC. 16, 2002 
Bayou region to merit the involvement of the Federal Govern-
ment in the development of programs and projects, in coopera-
tion with the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Inc., the State of 
Texas, and other local and governmental entities, to adequately 
conserve, protect, and interpret this heritage for future genera-
tions, while providing opportunities for education and revital-
ization. 
(b) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, in consultation with 
the State of Texas, the City of Houston, and other appropriate 
organizations, carry out a study regarding the suitability and 
feasibility of establishing the Buffalo Bayou National Heritage 
Area in Houston, Texas. 
(2) CONTENTS.—^The study shall include analysis and docu-
mentation regarding whether the Study Area— 
(A) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural 
resources that together represent distinctive aspects of 
American heritage worthy of recognition, conservation, 
interpretation, and continuing use, and are best managed 
through partnerships among public and private entities 
and by combining diverse and sometimes noncontiguous 
resources and active communities; 
(B) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife 
that are a valuable part of the national story; 
(C) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve nat-
ural, historic, cultural, or scenic features; 
(D) provides outstanding recreational and educational 
opportunities; 
(E) contains resources important to the identified 
theme or themes of the Study Area that retain a degree 
of integrity capable of supporting interpretation; 
(F) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit 
organizations, and local and State governments that are 
involved in the planning, have developed a conceptual 
financial plan that outlines the roles for all participants, 
including the Federal Government, and have demonstrated 
support for the concept of a national heritage area; 
(G) has a potential management entity to work in 
partnership with residents, business interests, nonprofit 
organizations, and local and State governments to develop 
a national heritage area consistent with continued local 
and State economic activity; and 
(H) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported 
by the public. 
(c) BOUNDARIES OF THE STUDY AREA.—^The Study Area shall 
be comprised of sites in Houston, Texas, in an area roughly bounded 
by Shepherd Drive and extending to the Turning Basin, commonly 
referred to as the "Buffalo Bayou". 
DeadUne. 
(d) SUBMISSION OF STUDY RESULTS.—Not later than 3 years 
Reports. 
after funds are first made available for this section, the Secretary 
PUBLIC LAW 107-337—DEC. 16, 2002 
116 STAT. 2885 
shall submit to the Committee on Resources of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
of the Senate a report describing the results of the study. 
Approved December 16, 2002. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1776: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 107-256 (Comm. on Resources). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 107-262 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 147 (2001): Oct. 30, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 148 (2002): Nov. 19, considered and passed Senate.