Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Lower Mississippi River Area Study Act

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior. (2)

Study area

The term study area includes Fort St. Philip, Fort Jackson, the Head of Passes, and any related and supporting historical, cultural, and recreational resources located in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.

Study

(a)

In general

Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the State of Louisiana and other interested organizations, shall complete a special resource study that evaluates— (1)the national significance of the study area; and (2)the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Park System. (b)

Criteria

In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall use the criteria for the study of areas for potential inclusion in the National Park System in section 8(c) of National Park System General Authorities Act (16 U.S.C. 1a–5(c)). (c)

Content

The study described in subsection (a) shall— (1)include cost estimates for the potential acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of the study area; and (2)identify alternatives for the management, administration, and protection of the study area.

Agreement; Donations

The study described in section 3 shall not be conducted until the date on which— (1)the Secretary enters into an agreement with a State, unit of local government, or other entity to conduct the study using non-Federal funds; or (2)the Secretary receives a donation of an amount of non-Federal funds sufficient to pay the cost of conducting the study.