Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area Study Act of 2002
PL 107-348 (H.R.2628), enacted 12/17/2002

PUBLIC LAW 107-348—DEC. 17, 2002 
116 STAT. 2971 
Public Law 107-348 
107th Congress 
An Act 
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the suitability and 
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feasibiUty of establishing the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area in Alabama, 
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and for other purposes. 
[H.R. 2628] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled. 
Muscle Shoals 
National 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
Heritage Area 
Study Act of 
This Act may be cited as the "Muscle Shoals National Heritage 2002 
Area Study Act of 2002". 
SEC. 2. STUDY. 
The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with appropriate 
State historic preservation officers, States historical societies, and 
other appropriate organizations, shall conduct a study regarding 
the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area described 
in section 3 as the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area. The 
study shall include analysis, documentation, and determination 
regarding whether the study area— 
(1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural 
resources that together represent distinctive aspects of Amer-
ican heritage worthy of recognition, conservation, interpreta-
tion, and continuing use, and are best managed through part-
nerships among public and private entities and by combining 
diverse and sometimes noncontiguous resources and active 
communities; 
(2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife that 
are a valuable part of the national story; 
(3) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve natural, 
historic, cultural, or scenic features; 
(4) provides outstanding recreational and educational 
opportunities; 
(5) contains resources important to the identified theme 
or themes of the study area that retain a degree of integrity 
capable of supporting interpretation; 
(6) 
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 of all participants (including the 
Federal Government), and have demonstrated support for the 
concept of a national heritage area; 
(7) has a potential management entity to work in partner-
ship with residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations, 
and local and State governments to develop a national heritage 
116 STAT. 2972 
PUBLIC LAW 107-348—DEC. 17, 2002 
area consistent with continued local and State economic 
activity; and 
(8) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by 
the public. 
SEC. 3. BOUNDARIES OF THE STUDY AREA. 
The study area referred to in section 2 shall be comprised 
of the following: 
(1) The part of the Tennessee River's watershed in northern 
Alabama. 
(2) The cities of Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, and Muscle 
Shoals City, Alabama. 
(3) The towns of Anderson, Cherokee, Courtland, Leighton, 
Lexington, Littleville, Red Bay, Rogersville, Russellville, Town 
Creek, and Waterloo, Alabama, and their environs. 
(4) Colbert, Lauderdale, Franklin, and Lawrence Counties, 
Alabama. 
(5) Other areas that have heritage aspects that are similar 
to those aspects that are in the areas described in paragraphs 
(1) through (4) and which are adjacent to or in the vicinity 
of those areas. 
Deadline. 
SEC. 4. REPORT. 
Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which funds 
are first made available for this Act, the Secretary of the Interior 
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 on the findings, conclusions, and rec-
ommendations of the study. 
Approved December 17, 2002. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 2628: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 107-398 (Comm. on Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 148 (2002): 
Apr. 30, considered and passed House. 
Nov. 19, considered and passed Senate.