[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6430 Introduced in House (IH)]

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114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6430

To require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to 
conduct an assessment of cultural and historic resources in the waters 
              of the Great Lakes, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            December 2, 2016

Ms. Kaptur (for herself, Mr. Benishek, and Mr. Quigley) introduced the 
    following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural 
                               Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to 
conduct an assessment of cultural and historic resources in the waters 
              of the Great Lakes, 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 ``Great Lakes Maritime Heritage 
Assessment Act''.

SEC. 2. ASSESSMENT OF CULTURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES IN WATERS OF 
              GREAT LAKES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 
Atmosphere shall--
            (1) conduct an assessment of cultural and historic 
        resources in the waters of the Great Lakes; and
            (2) submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural 
        Resources of the House of Representatives a report on the 
        findings of the Under Secretary with respect to such 
        assessment.
    (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a)(2) shall 
include the following:
            (1) Identification of underwater geographic areas in the 
        Great Lakes that possess historical and archaeological 
        resources of sufficient value and density to make them 
        nationally significant.
            (2) A description of the historical and archaeological 
        resources in such geographic areas.
            (3) An evaluation of community interest in preserving and 
        interpreting such resources.
            (4) A recommendation regarding whether such geographic 
        areas should be designated as national marine sanctuaries to 
        protect resources of historical and archeological significance.
            (5) Recommendations regarding whether the designation of a 
        network of underwater Great Lakes areas that protect resources 
        of historical and archeological significance, including the 
        existing successful Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, 
        could bring significant educational opportunities, economic 
        development, jobs, and tourism to the Great Lakes region.
    (c) Collaboration.--In carrying out this section, the Under 
Secretary shall collaborate with local communities.
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