[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1348 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1348

    To establish the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National 
 Heritage Corridor in the State of Connecticut, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 16, 1993

   Mr. Gejdenson (for himself, Mrs. Kennelly, Ms. DeLauro, and Mrs. 
   Johnson of Connecticut) introduced the following bill; which was 
             referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To establish the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National 
 Heritage Corridor in the State of Connecticut, and for other purposes.

    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 ``Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers 
Valley National Heritage Corridor Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that:
            (1) The Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley in the State 
        of Connecticut is one of the last unspoiled and undeveloped 
        areas in the Northeastern United States and has remained 
        largely intact, including important aboriginal archaeological 
        sites, excellent water quality, beautiful rural landscapes, 
        architecturally significant mill structures and mill villages, 
        and large acreage of parks and other permanent open space.
            (2) The State of Connecticut ranks last among the 50 States 
        in the amount of federally protected park and open space lands 
        within its borders and lags far behind the other northeastern 
        States in the amount of land set-aside for public recreation.
            (3) The beautiful rural landscapes, scenic vistas and 
        excellent water quality of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers 
        contain significant undeveloped recreational opportunities for 
        people throughout the United States.
            (4) The Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley is within a 
        2-hour drive of the major metropolitan areas of New York City, 
        Hartford, Providence, Worcester, Springfield, and Boston. With 
        the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors reporting that 
        Americans are taking shorter ``closer-to-home'' vacations, the 
        Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley represents important 
        close-by recreational opportunities for significant population.
            (5) The existing mill sites and other structures throughout 
        the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley were instrumental in 
        the development of the industrial revolution.
            (6) The Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley contains a 
        vast number of discovered and unrecovered Native American and 
        colonial archaeological sites significant to the history of 
        North America and the United States.
            (7) The Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley represents 
        one of the last traditional upland farming and mill village 
        communities in the northeastern United States.
            (8) The Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley played a 
        nationally significant role in the cultural evolution of the 
        prewar colonial period. Leading the transformation from Puritan 
        to Yankee, the ``Great Awakening'' religious revival and early 
        political development leading up to and during the War of 
        Indpendence.
            (9) Many local, regional and State agencies, businesses, 
        and private citizens and the New England Governors' Conference 
        have expressed an overwhelming desire to combine forces: to 
        work cooperatively to preserve and enhance resources region-
        wide and better plan for the future.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF QUINEBAUG AND SHETUCKET RIVERS VALLEY NATIONAL 
              HERITAGE CORRIDOR; PURPOSE.

    (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established in the State of 
Connecticut the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage 
Corridor.
    (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to provide a management 
framework to assist the State of Connecticut, its units of local and 
regional government and citizens in the development and implementation 
of integrated cultural, historical, and recreational land resource 
management programs in order to retain, enhance, and interpret the 
significant features of the lands, water, and structures of the 
Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley in the State of Connecticut.

SEC. 4. BOUNDARIES AND ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) Boundaries.--The Boundaries of the Corridor shall include the 
towns of Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Coventry, Eastford, 
Franklin, Griswold, Hampton, Killingly, Lebanon, Lisbon, Mansfield, 
Norwich, Plainfield, Pomfret, Preston, Putnam, Scotland, Sprague, 
Sterling, Thompson, Voluntown, Windham, and Woodstock. As soon as 
practical after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the 
Interior shall publish in the Federal Register a detailed description 
and map of boundaries established under this subsection.
    (b) Administration.--The Corridor shall be administered in 
accordance with the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 5. QUINEBAUG AND SHETUCKET RIVERS VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE 
              CORRIDOR COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Quinebaug and 
Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission (referred 
to in this Act as the ``Commission''). The Commission shall assist 
appropriate Federal, State, regional planning organizations, and local 
authorities in the development and implementation of an integrated 
resource management plan for the lands and water as specified in 
section 3.
    (b) Membership.--The Commission shall be comprised of 19 members 
appointed not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act as follows:
            (1) The Director of the National Park Service ex officio 
        (or his delegate).
            (2) 3 individuals nominated by the Governor and appointed 
        by the Secretary, who shall be--
                    (A) the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department 
                of Environmental Protection, or a person representing 
                the interests of the Commissioner;
                    (B) the Chairman of the Connecticut Historical 
                Commission or a person representing the interests of 
                the Chairman, and
                    (C) the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department 
                of Economic Development or a person representing the 
                interests of the Commissioner;
            (3) 6 individuals representing the interests of local 
        government or regional planning organizations from Connecticut 
        appointed by the Secretary after receiving recommendations from 
        the Governor, of whom, 3 shall be representatives of the 3 
        regional planning organizations within the Corridor region and 
        3 shall be local elected officials from the region; and
            (4) 9 individuals from the general public, who are citizens 
        of the State of Connecticut, appointed by the Secretary, after 
        receiving recommendations from the Governor, representing 
        conservation, business, tourism, and recreational interests.
A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the 
original appointments were made.
    (c) Terms.--(1) Members of the Commission shall be appointed for 
terms of 3 years and may be reappointed.
    (2) Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the 
expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be 
appointed only for the remainder of such term. Any member of the 
Commission appointed for a definite term may serve after the expiration 
of his term until his successor has taken office.
    (d) Compensation.--Members of the Commission shall receive no pay 
on account of their service on the Commission but while away from their 
homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for 
the Commission, members of the Commission shall be allowed travel 
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner 
as persons employed intermittently in the Government service are 
allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United State Code.
    (e) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Commission shall be 
elected by the members of the Commission.
    (f) Quorum.--(1) 8 members of the Commission shall constitute a 
quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.
    (2) The affirmative vote of not less than 10 members of the 
Commission shall be required to approve the budget of the Commission.
    (g) Meetings.--The Commission shall hold its first meeting not 
later than 90 days after the date on which its members are appointed, 
and shall meet at least quarterly at the call of the chairperson or 10 
of its members. Meetings of the Commission shall be subject to section 
552(b) of title 5, United States Code (relating to open meetings).
    (h) Proxy.--Any member of the Commission may vote by means of a 
signed proxy exercised by another member of the Commission, but any 
member so voting shall not be considered present for purposes of 
establishing a quorum.

SEC. 6. STAFF OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--(1) The Commission shall have the power to appoint 
and fix compensation of such staff as may be necessary to carry out its 
duties.
    (2) Staff appointed by the Commission--
            (A) shall be appointed subject to the provisions of title 
        5, United States Code, governing appointments in the 
        competitive service; and
            (B) shall be paid in accordance with provisions of chapter 
        51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to 
        classification and General Schedule pay rates.
    (b) Experts and Consultants.--Subject to such rules as may be 
adopted by the Commission, the Commission may procure temporary and 
intermittent services to the same extent as is authorized by section 
3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates determined by the 
Commission to be reasonable.
    (c) Staff of Other Agencies.--(1) Upon request of the Commission, 
the head of any Federal agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any 
of the personnel of such agency to the Commission to assist the 
Commission in carrying out the Commission's duties.
    (2) The Commission may accept the service of personnel detailed 
from the State, any political subdivision and regional planning 
organizations, and may reimburse the State, political subdivision, and 
regional planning organizations for those services.

SEC. 7. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Hearings.--(1) The Commission may, for the purposes of carrying 
out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take 
such testimony, and receive such evidence, as the Commission considers 
appropriate.
    (2) The Commission may not issue subpoenas or exercise any subpoena 
authority.
    (b) Powers of Members and Agents.--Any member or agent of the 
Commission, if so authorized by the Commission, may take any action 
which the Commission is authorized to take by this Act.
    (c) Administrative Support Services.--The Administrator of the 
General Services Administration shall provide to the Commission on a 
reimbursable basis, such administrative support services as the 
Commission may request.
    (d) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the 
same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and 
other agencies of the United States.
    (e) Use of Funds To Obtain Money.--The Commission may use its funds 
to obtain money from any source under any program or law requiring the 
recipient of such money to make a contribution in order to receive such 
money.
    (f) Gifts.--(1) Except as provided in subsection (g)(2)(B), the 
Commission may, for purposes of carrying out its duties, seek, accept, 
and dispose of gifts, bequests, or donations of money, personal 
property, or services, received from any source.
    (2) For purposes of section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986, any gift to the Commission shall be deemed as a gift to the 
United States.
    (g) Acquisition of Real Property.--(1) Except as provided in 
paragraph (2) and except with respect to any leasing of facilities 
under subsection (c), the Commission may not acquire any real property 
or interest in real property.
    (2) Subject to paragraph (3), the Commission may acquire real 
property or interest in real property in the Corridor--
            (A) by gift or devise; or
            (B) by purchase from a willing seller with money that was 
        given, appropriated, or bequeathed to the Commission on the 
        condition that such money would be used to purchase real 
        property, or interest in real property, in the Corridor.
    (3) Any real property or interest in real property acquired by the 
Commission under paragraph (2) shall be conveyed by the Commission to 
an appropriate public or private land management agency, as determined 
by the Commission. Any such conveyance shall be made--
            (A) as soon as practicable after such acquisition;
            (B) without consideration; and
            (C) on the condition that the real property or interest in 
        real property so conveyed is used for public purposes.
    (h) Cooperative Agreements.--For purposes of carrying out the plan, 
the Commission may enter into cooperative agreements with the State of 
Connecticut, with any political subdivision, or with any person or 
organization. Any such cooperative agreement shall, at a minimum, 
establish procedures for providing notice to the Commission of any 
action proposed by the State, such political subdivision, or such 
person which may affect implementation of the plan referred to in 
section 8.
    (i) Advisory Groups.--The Commission may establish such advisory 
groups as it deems necessary to ensure open communication with, and 
assistance from, the State, political subdivisions of the State, 
regional planning organizations and interested persons.

SEC. 8. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Preparation of Plan.--Within 2 years after the Commission 
conducts its first meeting, it shall submit to the Secretary of the 
Interior and the Governor of Connecticut for review and approval of 
Cultural Heritage and Corridor Management Plan. The Plan shall be based 
on existing Federal, State, and local plans, but shall coordinate those 
plans and present a unified historic preservation, interpretation, and 
recreational plan for the Corridor. The plan shall--
            (1) provide an inventory which includes any property in the 
        Corridor which should be preserved, restored, managed, 
        developed, maintained, or acquired because of its national 
        historic or cultural or recreational significance;
            (2) recommend advisory standards and criteria applicable to 
        the construction, preservation, restoration, alteration, and 
        use of all properties within the Corridor;
            (3) develop an historic interpretation plan to interpret 
        the history of the Corridor;
            (4) develop an inventory which includes existing and 
        potential recreational sites which are developed or which could 
        be developed along the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers and their 
        surrounding areas;
            (5) recommend policies for resource management which 
        consider and detail application of appropriate land and water 
        management techniques, including but not limited to, the 
        development of inter-governmental cooperative agreements to 
        protect the Corridor's historical, cultural, recreational, 
        scenic, and natural resources in a manner consistent with 
        supporting appropriate and compatible economic revitalization 
        efforts;
            (6) detail ways in which local, State, and Federal programs 
        may best be coordinated to promote the purposes of this Act; 
        and
            (7) contain a program for implementation of the Plan by the 
        State and its political subdivisions.
    (b) Implementation of Plan.--After review and approval of the Plan 
by the Secretary and the Governor as provided in subsection (a), the 
Commission shall implement the Plan by taking appropriate steps to 
preserve and interpret the historic resources, develop the recreational 
resources of the Corridor and its surrounding area, and to support 
public and private efforts in economic revitalization, consistent with 
the goals of the Plan. These steps may include, but need not be limited 
to--
            (1) assisting the State and local governmental entities or 
        regional planning organizations, and non-profit organizations 
        in preserving the Corridor and ensuring appropriate use of 
        lands and structures throughout the Corridor;
            (2) assisting the State and local governmental entities or 
        regional planning organizations, and non-profit organizations 
        in establishing, and maintaining visitor centers and other 
        interpretive exhibits in the Corridor;
            (3) assisting the State and local governmental entities or 
        regional planning organizations, and non-profit organizations 
        in developing recreational programs and resources in the 
        Corridor;
            (4) assisting the State and local governmental entities or 
        regional planning organizations, and non-profit organizations 
        in increasing public awareness of and appreciation for the 
        historical and architectural resources and sites in the 
        Corridor;
            (5) assisting the State and local governmental or regional 
        planning organizations and nonprofit organizations in the 
        restoration of any historic building in the Corridor;
            (6) encouraging by appropriate means enhanced economic and 
        industrial development in the Corridor consistent with the 
        goals of the Plan;
            (7) encouraging local governments to adopt land use 
        policies consistent with the management of the Corridor and the 
        goals of the Plan, and to ensure appropriate use of lands and 
        structures throughout the Corridor; and
            (8) assisting the State and local governmental entities or 
        regional planning organizations to ensure that clear, 
        consistent signs identifying access points and sites of 
        interest are put in place throughout the Corridor.

SEC. 9. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Termination.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
Commission shall terminate on the day occurring 5 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act.
    (b) Extension.--The Commission may be extended for a period of not 
more than 5 years beginning on the day of termination referred to in 
subsection (a) if, not later than 180 days before such day--
            (1) the Commission determines such extension is necessary 
        in order to carry out the purposes of this Act;
            (2) the Commission submits such proposed extension to the 
        Committee on Natural Resources of the United States House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
        Resources of the United States Senate; and
            (3) the Secretary, in consultation with the Governor of 
        Connecticut, approves such extension.

SEC. 10. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.

    (a) Approval of Plan.--The Secretary of the Interior, in 
consultation with the Governor of Connecticut, shall approve or 
disapprove a Plan submitted under this Act by the Commission not later 
than 60 days after receiving such Plan. The Secretary, in consultation 
with the Governor, shall approve a Plan submitted if--
            (1) they find the Plan, if implemented, would adequately 
        protect significant historical and cultural resources of the 
        Corridor while providing adequate and appropriate outdoor 
        recreational opportunities and economic activities within the 
        Corridor;
            (2) they determine that the Commission held public hearings 
        and provided adequate opportunity for public and governmental 
        involvement in the preparation of the Plan; and
            (3) the Secretary receives adequate assurances from 
        appropriate State officials that the recommended implementation 
        program identified in the Plan will be initiated within a 
        reasonable time after date of approval of the Plan, and that 
        such implementation program will ensure effective 
        implementation of the State and local aspects of the Plan.
    (d) Disapproval of Plan.--If the Secretary disapproves a Plan 
submitted to him by the Commission, he shall advise the Commission in 
writing of the reasons therefor and shall make recommendations for 
revisions in the Plan. The Commission shall within 90 days of receipt 
of such notice of disapproval revise and resubmit the plan to the 
Secretary who shall approve or disapprove a proposed revision within 60 
days after the date it is submitted to him.
    (c) Assistance.--The Secretary of the Interior shall, upon request 
of the Commission, assist the Commission in the preparation and 
implementation of Plan.

SEC. 11. DUTIES OF OTHER FEDERAL ENTITIES.

    Any Federal entity conducting or supporting activities directly 
affecting the Corridor shall--
            (1) consult with the Secretary and the Commission with 
        respect to such activities;
            (2) cooperate with the Secretary and the Commission with 
        respect to such activities and, to the maximum extent 
        practicable, coordinate such activities; and
            (3) to the maximum extent practicable, conduct or support 
        such activities in a manner which the Commission determines 
        will not have an adverse effect on the Corridor.

SEC. 12. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Commission.--There is authorized to be appropriated $200,000 
for fiscal year 1994 and 250,000 annually to the Commission to carry 
out its duties under this Act except that the Federal contributions to 
the Commission shall not exceed 50 percent of the annual costs to the 
Commission in carrying out those duties.
    (b) Secretary.--There are authorized to be appropriated annually to 
the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out his duties 
under this Act.

SEC. 13. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act--
            (1) The term ``Commission'' means the Quinebaug and 
        Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission 
        established under section 5.
            (2) The term ``State'' means the State of Connecticut.
            (3) The term ``Corridor'' means the Quinebaug and Shetucket 
        Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor established under 
        section 3.
            (4) The term ``Plan'' means the Cultural Heritage and 
        Corridor Management Plan to be prepared by the Commission 
        pursuant to section 8.
            (5) The term ``Governor'' means the Governor of the State 
        of Connecticut.
            (6) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the 
        Interior.
            (7) The term ``regional planning organization'' means each 
        of the 3 regional planning organizations established by 
        Connecticut State statute chapter 127 and chapter 50 (the 
        Northeast Council of Governments, the Windham Regional Planning 
        Agency or its successor, and the Southeastern Connecticut 
        Regional Planning Agency or its successor).

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HR 1348 IH----2