[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1956 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1956

To require the Under Secretary 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 SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 5, 2015

Ms. Stabenow (for herself, Mr. Peters, and Ms. Baldwin) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                 Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To require the Under Secretary 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 of 2015''.

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 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 Science, 
        Space, and Technology 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) Recommendations 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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