Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Heritage area

The term Heritage Area means the Columbia-Pacific National Heritage Area. (2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior. (3)

Study area

The term study area means— (A)the coastal areas of Clatsop and Pacific Counties (also known as the North Beach Peninsula); and (B)areas relating to Native American history, local history, Euro-American settlement culture, and related economic activities of the Columbia River within a corridor along the Columbia River eastward in Clatsop, Pacific, Columbia, and Wahkiakum Counties.

Columbia-Pacific national heritage area study

(a)

In General

The Secretary, in consultation with the managers of any Federal land within the study area, appropriate State and local governmental agencies, tribal governments, and any interested organizations, shall conduct a study to determine the feasibility of designating the study area as the Columbia-Pacific National Heritage Area. (b)

Requirements

The study shall include analysis, documentation, and determinations on 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 for all participants, including the Federal Government, and have demonstrated support for the concept of a national heritage area; (7)has a potential local coordinating 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)

Private property

In conducting the study required by this section, the Secretary shall analyze the potential impact that designation of the area as a national heritage area is likely to have on land within the proposed area or bordering the proposed area that is privately owned at the time that the study is conducted.