[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4312 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 4312

   To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the 
suitability and feasibility of establishing an Upper Housatonic Valley 
National Heritage Area in the State of Connecticut and the Commonwealth 
               of Massachusetts, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 13, 2000

Mrs. Johnson of Connecticut (for herself and Mr. Olver) introduced the 
    following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the 
suitability and feasibility of establishing an Upper Housatonic Valley 
National Heritage Area in the State of Connecticut and the Commonwealth 
               of Massachusetts, 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 ``Upper Housatonic National Heritage 
Area Study Act of 2000''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF STUDY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior (``the Secretary'') 
shall conduct a study of the Upper Housatonic National Heritage Area 
(``Study Area''). The study shall include analysis, documentation, and 
determinations regarding whether the Study Area--
            (1) 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;
            (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, and/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 who 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;
            (7) 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
            (8) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the 
        public.
    (b) Consultation.--In conducting the study, the Secretary shall 
consult with the State historic preservation officers, State historical 
societies and other appropriate organizations.

SEC. 3. BOUNDARIES OF THE STUDY AREA.

    The Study Area shall be comprised of--
            (1) part of the Housatonic River's watershed, which extends 
        60 miles from Lanesboro, Massachusetts to Kent, Connecticut;
            (2) the towns of Canaan, Cornwall, Kent, Norfolk, North 
        Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, and Warren in Connecticut; and
            (3) the towns of Alford, Dalton, Egremont, Great 
        Barrington, Hinsdale, Lanesboro, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Mount 
        Washington, New Marlboro, Pittsfield, Richmond, Sheffield, 
        Stockbridge, Tyringham, Washington, and West Stockbridge in 
        Massachusetts.

SEC. 4. REPORT.

    Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which funds are 
first available for this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the 
Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a report on the 
findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the study.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated $300,000 to carry out the 
provisions of this Act.
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