117 S470 IS: Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area Act U.S. Senate 2021-02-25 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 470IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 25, 2021Mr. Kaine (for himself and Mr. Warner) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public WorksA BILLTo authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating certain land as the Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area Act.

2.

Definitions

In this Act:(1)

Heritage area

The term Heritage Area means the Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area.(2)

Secretary

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

States

The term States means each of the States of Virginia and North Carolina.(4)

Study area

The term study area means—(A)the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk in the State of Virginia;(B)Isle of Wight County in the State of Virginia;(C)Camden, Currituck, Gates, and Pasquotank Counties in the State of North Carolina; and(D)any other areas in the States that—(i)have heritage aspects that are similar to the areas described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C); and(ii)are adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, those areas.

3.

Study

(a)

In general

The Secretary, in consultation with State and local organizations and governmental agencies, Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and other appropriate entities, shall conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a National Heritage Area, to be known as the Great Dismal Swamp 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—(A)represent distinctive aspects of the people and cultures of the United States;(B)are worthy of recognition, conservation, interpretation, and continuing use; and(C)would be best managed—(i)through partnerships among public and private entities; and(ii)by linking diverse and sometimes noncontiguous resources and active communities;(2)reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife that are a valuable part of the story of the United States;(3)provides outstanding opportunities—(A)to conserve natural, historic, cultural, or scenic features; and(B)for recreation and education;(4)contains resources that—(A)are important to any identified themes of the study area; and(B)retain a degree of integrity capable of supporting interpretation;(5)includes residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations, State, local, and Tribal governments, and other appropriate entities that—(A)are involved in the planning of the Heritage Area;(B)have developed a conceptual financial plan that outlines the roles of all participants in the Heritage Area, including the Federal Government; and(C)have demonstrated support for the designation of the Heritage Area;(6)has a potential management entity to work in partnership with the individuals and entities described in paragraph (5) to develop the Heritage Area while encouraging State and local economic activity; and(7)has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the public.

4.

Report

Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that describes—(1)the findings of the study under section 3; and(2)any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.