[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 100 (Thursday, July 27, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7795-S7796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    UPPER HOUSATONIC VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY ACT OF 2000

  The Senate proceeded to consider the bill (S. 2421) to direct the 
Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the suitability and 
feasibility of establishing an Upper Housatonic Valley National 
Heritage Area in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
  The bill was read the third time, and passed, as follows:

                                S. 2421

       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 ``Upper Housatonic Valley 
     National Heritage Area Study Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (2) Study area.--The term ``Study Area'' means the Upper 
     Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, comprised of--
       (A) the part of the watershed of the Housatonic River, 
     extending 60 miles from Lanesboro, Massachusetts, to Kent, 
     Connecticut;
       (B) the towns of Canaan, Cornwall, Kent, Norfolk, North 
     Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, and Warren, Connecticut; and
       (C) the towns of Alford, Dalton, Egremont, Great 
     Barrington, Hinsdale, Lanesboro, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Mount 
     Washington, New Marlboro, Pittsfield, Richmond, Sheffield, 
     Stockbridge, Tyringham, Washington, and West Stockbridge, 
     Massachusetts.

[[Page S7796]]

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF STUDY.

       (a) In General.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete a study 
     of the Study Area.
       (b) Inclusions.--The study shall determine, through 
     appropriate analysis and documentation, whether the Study 
     Area--
       (1) includes an assemblage of natural, historical, and 
     cultural resources that represent distinctive aspects of the 
     heritage of the United States that--
       (A) are worthy of recognition, conservation, 
     interpretation, and continued use; and
       (B) would best be managed--
       (i) through partnerships among public and private entities; 
     and
       (ii) by combining diverse and, in some cases, 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 to conserve natural, 
     historical, cultural, or scenic features;
       (4) provides outstanding recreational and educational 
     opportunities;
       (5) contains resources important to any theme of the Study 
     Area that retains a degree of integrity capable of supporting 
     interpretation;
       (6) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit 
     organizations, and State and local governments that--
       (A) are involved in the planning of the Study Area;
       (B) have developed a conceptual financial plan that 
     outlines the roles of all participants for development and 
     management of the Study Area, including the Federal 
     Government; and
       (C) 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 State and local governments to develop a 
     national heritage area consistent with continued State and 
     local economic activity; and
       (8) is depicted on a conceptual boundary map that is 
     supported by the public.
       (c) Consultation.--In conducting the study, the Secretary 
     shall consult with--
       (1) State historic preservation officers;
       (2) State historical societies; and
       (3) other appropriate organizations.
       (d) Report.--Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date 
     on which funds are made available to carry out this Act, the 
     Secretary 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.

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There is authorized to be appropriated $300,000 to carry 
     out this Act.

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