[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 567 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 567

   To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the 
suitability and feasibility of establishing the Northern Neck National 
           Heritage Area in Virginia, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 5, 2003

Mrs. Jo Ann Davis of Virginia 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 the Northern Neck National 
           Heritage Area in Virginia, 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. NORTHERN NECK NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY AND REPORT.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Northern Neck 
National Heritage Area Study Act''.
    (b) 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 subsection (c) as the Northern Neck 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 
        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, 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 
        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.
    (c) Boundaries of the Study Area.--The study area referred to in 
subsection (b) shall be comprised of the following:
            (1) The part of Virginia between the Potomac and the 
        Rappahannock Rivers in eastern coastal Virginia.
            (2) Westmoreland, Northumberland, Richmond, King George, 
        and Lancaster Counties, Virginia.
            (3) Other areas that have heritage aspects that are similar 
        to those aspects that are in the areas described in paragraphs 
        (1) and (2) and which are adjacent to or in the vicinity of 
        those areas.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which 
funds are first made available for this section, the Secretary of the 
Interior shall submit to the Committee on Resources of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
the Senate a report on the findings, conclusions, and recommendations 
of the study.
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