[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 61 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 H. R. 61

   To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the 
  suitability and feasibility of establishing the St. Croix National 
Heritage Area in St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 4, 2005

 Mrs. Christensen 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 St. Croix National 
Heritage Area in St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands, 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. ST. CROIX NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``St. Croix 
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 island of 
St. Croix as the St. Croix National Heritage Area. The study shall 
include analysis, documentation, and determination regarding whether 
the island of St. Croix--
            (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 island of St. Croix 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) 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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