Niagara Falls National Heritage Area Study Act
PL 107-256 (S.1227), enacted 10/29/2002

PUBLIC LAW 107-256—OCT. 29, 2002 
116 STAT. 1735 
Public Law 107-256 
107th Congress 
An Act 
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the suitabihty 
„ 
onrw 
and feasibility of establishing the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area in the 
:—^— 
Stateof New York, and for other purposes. 
[S. 1227} 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
Niagara Falls 
National 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
Heritage Area 
This Act may be cited as the "Niagara Falls National Heritage 
" y ^ . 
Area Study Act". 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) SECRETARY.—The term "Secretary" means the Secretary 
af the Interior. 
(2) STUDY AREA.—The term "study area" means lands in 
Niagara County, New York, along and in the vicinity of the 
Niagara River. 
SEC. 3. NIAGARA FALLS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a study of the 
suitability and feasibility of establishing a heritage area in the 
State of New York to be known as the "Niagara Falls National 
Heritage Area". 
(b) ANALYSES AND DOCUMENTATION.—The study shall include 
analysis and documentation of whether the study area— 
(1) contains an assemblage of natural, historical, scenic, 
and cultural resources that represent distinctive aspects of 
the heritage of the United States that— 
(A) are worthy of recognition, conservation, interpreta-
tion, and continued use; 2uid 
(B) would best be managed— 
(i) through partnerships among public and private 
entities; and 
(ii) by combining diverse and sometimes noncontig-
uous resources and active communities; 
(2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife that 
are a valuable part of the story of the United States; 
(3) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve natural, 
historical, scenic, or cultural features; 
(4) provides outstanding recreational and educational 
opportunities; 
(5) contains resources importsmt to the identified theme 
of the study area that retain a degree of integrity capable 
of supporting interpretation; 
116 STAT. 1736 
PUBLIC LAW 107-256—OCT. 29, 2002 
(6) 
includes 
residents, 
business 
interests, 
nonprofit 
organizations, and State and local governments that— 
(A) are involved in planning a national heritage area; 
(B) have developed a conceptual financial plan for a 
national heritage area that outlines the roles for all partici-
pants, including the Federal Government; and 
(C) 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 State and local governments to develop a national heritage 
area consistent with continued State and local economic 
activity; and 
(8) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by 
the public. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study, the Secretary 
shall consult with— 
(1) State and local agencies; and 
(2) interested organizations within the study area. 
Deadline. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on 
which funds are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary 
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 that describes the findings, conclusions, 
and recommendations of the study under subsection (a). 
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated $300,000 to carry out 
this Act. 
Approved October 29, 2002. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1227: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 107-668 (Comm. on Resources). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 107-179 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 148 (2002): 
Aug. 1, considered and passed Senate. 
Oct. 16, considered and passed House. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTL\L DOCUMENTS, Vol. 38 (2002): 
Oct. 30, Presidential statement.