[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 113 (Thursday, September 21, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H7943-H7949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              LACKAWANNA VALLEY HERITAGE AREA ACT OF 2000

  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the 
Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 583 and ask for its 
immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 583

       Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be 
     in order to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 940) 
     to designate the Lackawanna Valley National Heritage Area, 
     and for other purposes, with Senate amendments thereto, and 
     to consider in the House, without intervention of any point 
     of order, a single motion offered by the chairman of the 
     Committee on Resources or his designee that the House concur 
     in the Senate amendments. The Senate amendments and the 
     motion shall be considered as read. The motion shall be 
     debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by the 
     chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on 
     Resources. The previous question shall be considered as 
     ordered on the motion to final adoption without intervening 
     motion or demand for division of the question.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings) 
is recognized for 1 hour.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate 
only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman 
from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time 
as I may consume. During consideration of the resolution, all time 
yielded is for the purpose of debate only.
  (Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 583 is a rule 
waiving all points of order against a motion to concur in the Senate 
amendments to H.R. 940, the Lackawanna Valley National Heritage Act of 
1999. The rule provides 1 hour of debate on the motion to be equally 
divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of 
the Committee on Resources.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 940, introduced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Sherwood) would establish the Lackawanna Valley National Heritage 
Area in the State of Pennsylvania. The proposed area would cover a 
four-county region in the northeastern part of the

[[Page H7944]]

State, which is a nationally significant historical area.
  The bill establishes an authority which would prepare a management 
plan for the area, which will be submitted to the Secretary of the 
Interior for approval within 3 years of enactment of this legislation. 
The plan shall include recommendations for actions to be undertaken by 
units of government and private organizations in order to protect and 
interpret the historical, natural, cultural, and recreational resources 
of the area.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 940 authorizes the appropriation of not more than 
$1 million for any fiscal year and not more than $10 million in total 
for purposes set forth in this act.
  Finally, Federal funding may not exceed 50 percent of the cost of any 
assistance authorized in this act, and the authority may not use 
Federal funds received under the legislation to acquire real property 
or interest in real property.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 940 passed the House on September 19, 1999, and was 
passed with an amendment in the nature of a substitute by the Senate on 
September 18, 2000. The amendment merely makes several technical and 
clarifying changes and conforms to the management authorities for the 
heritage area to those approved for other heritage areas.
  Mr. Speaker, this measure is straightforward and noncontroversial; 
and, accordingly, I urge support for both the rule and H.R. 940.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Washington 
(Mr. Hastings) for yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I yield 
myself such time as I may consume.
  (Ms. SLAUGHTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution as 
well as the underlying bill. The measure would establish the Lackawanna 
Valley Heritage Area in the State of Pennsylvania. The proposed areas 
would cover a four-county region in northeastern Pennsylvania, 
including Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Susquehanna Counties.
  Also included in H.R. 940 is the designation of the Schuykill River 
Valley. This river valley developed a charcoal iron industry that made 
Pennsylvania the center of the iron industry within the American 
colonies.

                              {time}  1130

  This measure will go a long way toward repairing the environmental 
damage to the river and its surroundings caused by the largely 
unregulated industrial activity. H.R. 940 authorizes the appropriation 
of up to $1 million for any fiscal year, not exceeding $10 million, for 
carrying out this act.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood), the author 
of this bill.
  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time, I thank the leadership for the prompt movement of this bill, and 
I thank as well the chairman of the Committee on Rules, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Dreier) for providing us with a rule which I rise 
in strong support of.
  This bill, to provide a Lackawanna heritage area for four counties in 
northeastern Pennsylvania, has been a long time in the process. That 
area fueled the industrial revolution with its coal mines and its 
steel, and it had the seeds of the modern labor movements in the coal 
mines. This is a beautiful historical area which alternates between the 
ravages of two centuries of anthracite mining and the beautiful scenic 
Lackawanna River Valley. This is a historical and cultural area that 
deems preserving.
  The designation of the Lackawanna and Schuylkill River Valleys as 
national heritage areas will enable all Americans for years to come to 
witness and learn the story of anthracite mining, the labor movement, 
and the industrialization of our great Nation. I urge my colleagues to 
support this rule.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests 
for time, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous 
question on the resolution.
  The previous question was ordered.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 583, I call 
up from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 940) to designate the 
Lackawanna Valley National Heritage Area, and for other purposes, with 
the Senate amendments thereto, and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.


                     Motion Offered by Mr. Sherwood

  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the motion.
  The text of the motion is as follows:

       Mr. Sherwood moves to concur in the Senate amendments to 
     H.R. 940, as follows:
       Senate amendments:
       Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

           TITLE I--LACKAWANNA VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

     SECTION 101. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Lackawanna Valley National 
     Heritage Area Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 102. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) the industrial and cultural heritage of northeastern 
     Pennsylvania, including Lackawanna County, Luzerne County, 
     Wayne County, and Susquehanna County, related directly to 
     anthracite and anthracite-related industries, is nationally 
     significant;
       (2) the industries referred to in paragraph (1) include 
     anthracite mining, ironmaking, textiles, and rail 
     transportation;
       (3) the industrial and cultural heritage of the anthracite 
     and anthracite-related industries in the region described in 
     paragraph (1) includes the social history and living cultural 
     traditions of the people of the region;
       (4) the labor movement of the region played a significant 
     role in the development of the Nation, including--
       (A) the formation of many major unions such as the United 
     Mine Workers of America; and
       (B) crucial struggles to improve wages and working 
     conditions, such as the 1900 and 1902 anthracite strikes;
       (5)(A) the Secretary of the Interior is responsible for 
     protecting the historical and cultural resources of the 
     United States; and
       (B) there are significant examples of those resources 
     within the region described in paragraph (1) that merit the 
     involvement of the Federal Government to develop, in 
     cooperation with the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, 
     the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and local and governmental 
     entities, programs and projects to conserve, protect, and 
     interpret this heritage adequately for future generations, 
     while providing opportunities for education and 
     revitalization; and
       (6) the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority would be an 
     appropriate management entity for a Heritage Area established 
     in the region described in paragraph (1).
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Lackawanna Valley 
     National Heritage Area are--
       (1) to foster a close working relationship among all levels 
     of government, the private sector, and the local communities 
     in the anthracite coal region of northeastern Pennsylvania 
     and enable the communities to conserve their heritage while 
     continuing to pursue economic opportunities; and
       (2) to conserve, interpret, and develop the historical, 
     cultural, natural, and recreational resources related to the 
     industrial and cultural heritage of the 4-county region 
     described in subsection (a)(1).

     SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the 
     Lackawanna Valley National Heritage Area established by 
     section 4.
       (2) Management entity.--The term ``management entity'' 
     means the management entity for the Heritage Area specified 
     in section 4(c).
       (3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means 
     the management plan for the Heritage Area developed under 
     section 6(b).
       (4) Partner.--The term ``partner'' means--
       (A) a Federal, State, or local governmental entity; and
       (B) an organization, private industry, or individual 
     involved in promoting the conservation and preservation of 
     the cultural and natural resources of the Heritage Area.
       (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 104. LACKAWANNA VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established the Lackawanna 
     Valley National Heritage Area.
       (b) Boundaries.--The Heritage Area shall be comprised of 
     all or parts of Lackawanna County, Luzerne County, Wayne 
     County, and Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, determined in 
     accordance with the compact under section 5.
       (c) Management Entity.--The management entity for the 
     Heritage Area shall be the Lackawanna Heritage Valley 
     Authority.

     SEC. 105. COMPACT.

       (a) In General.--To carry out this title, the Secretary 
     shall enter into a compact with the management entity.

[[Page H7945]]

       (b) Contents of Compact.--The compact shall include 
     information relating to the objectives and management of the 
     area, including--
       (1) a delineation of the boundaries of the Heritage Area; 
     and
       (2) a discussion of the goals and objectives of the 
     Heritage Area, including an explanation of the proposed 
     approach to conservation and interpretation and a general 
     outline of the protection measures committed to by the 
     partners.

     SEC. 106. AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF THE MANAGEMENT ENTITY.

       (a) Authorities of Management Entity.--The management 
     entity may, for the purposes of preparing and implementing 
     the management plan, use funds made available under this 
     title to hire and compensate staff.
       (b) Management Plan.--
       (1) In general.--The management entity shall develop a 
     management plan for the Heritage Area that presents 
     comprehensive recommendations for the conservation, funding, 
     management, and development of the Heritage Area.
       (2) Consideration of other plans and actions.--The 
     management plan shall--
       (A) take into consideration State, county, and local plans;
       (B) involve residents, public agencies, and private 
     organizations working in the Heritage Area; and
       (C) include actions to be undertaken by units of government 
     and private organizations to protect the resources of the 
     Heritage Area.
       (3) Specification of funding sources.--The management plan 
     shall specify the existing and potential sources of funding 
     available to protect, manage, and develop the Heritage Area.
       (4) Other required elements.--The management plan shall 
     include the following:
       (A) An inventory of the resources contained in the Heritage 
     Area, including a list of any property in the Heritage Area 
     that is related to the purposes of the Heritage Area and that 
     should be preserved, restored, managed, developed, or 
     maintained because of its historical, cultural, natural, 
     recreational, or scenic significance.
       (B) A recommendation of policies for resource management 
     that considers and details application of appropriate land 
     and water management techniques, including the development of 
     intergovernmental cooperative agreements to protect the 
     historical, cultural, natural, and recreational resources of 
     the Heritage Area in a manner that is consistent with the 
     support of appropriate and compatible economic viability.
       (C) A program for implementation of the management plan by 
     the management entity, including--
       (i) plans for restoration and construction; and
       (ii) specific commitments of the partners for the first 5 
     years of operation.
       (D) An analysis of ways in which local, State, and Federal 
     programs may best be coordinated to promote the purposes of 
     this Act.
       (E) An interpretation plan for the Heritage Area.
       (5) Submission to secretary for approval.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than the last day of the 3-year 
     period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the 
     management entity shall submit the management plan to the 
     Secretary for approval.
       (B) Effect of failure to submit.--If a management plan is 
     not submitted to the Secretary by the day referred to in 
     subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall not, after that day, 
     provide any grant or other assistance under this title with 
     respect to the Heritage Area until a management plan for the 
     Heritage Area is submitted to the Secretary.
       (c) Duties of Management Entity.--The management entity 
     shall--
       (1) give priority to implementing actions specified in the 
     compact and management plan, including steps to assist units 
     of government and nonprofit organizations in preserving the 
     Heritage Area;
       (2) assist units of government and nonprofit organizations 
     in--
       (A) establishing and maintaining interpretive exhibits in 
     the Heritage Area;
       (B) developing recreational resources in the Heritage Area;
       (C) increasing public awareness of and appreciation for the 
     historical, natural, and architectural resources and sites in 
     the Heritage Area; and
       (D) restoring historic buildings that relate to the 
     purposes of the Heritage Area;
       (3) encourage economic viability in the Heritage Area 
     consistent with the goals of the management plan;
       (4) encourage local governments to adopt land use policies 
     consistent with the management of the Heritage Area and the 
     goals of the management plan;
       (5) assist units of government and nonprofit organizations 
     to ensure that clear, consistent, and environmentally 
     appropriate signs identifying access points and sites of 
     interest are placed throughout the Heritage Area;
       (6) consider the interests of diverse governmental, 
     business, and nonprofit groups within the Heritage Area;
       (7) conduct public meetings not less often than quarterly 
     concerning the implementation of the management plan;
       (8) submit substantial amendments (including any increase 
     of more than 20 percent in the cost estimates for 
     implementation) to the management plan to the Secretary for 
     the Secretary's approval; and
       (9) for each year in which Federal funds have been received 
     under this title--
       (A) submit a report to the Secretary that specifies--
       (i) the accomplishments of the management entity; and
       (ii) the expenses and income of the management entity;
       (B) make available to the Secretary for audit all records 
     relating to the expenditure of such funds and any matching 
     funds; and
       (C) require, with respect to all agreements authorizing 
     expenditure of Federal funds by other organizations, that the 
     receiving organizations make available to the Secretary for 
     audit all records concerning the expenditure of such funds.
       (d) Use of Federal Funds.--
       (1) Funds made available under this title.--The management 
     entity shall not use Federal funds received under this title 
     to acquire real property or any interest in real property.
       (2) Funds from other sources.--Nothing in this title 
     precludes the management entity from using Federal funds 
     obtained through law other than this title for any purpose 
     for which the funds are authorized to be used.

     SEC. 107. DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.

       (a) Technical and Financial Assistance.--
       (1) Provision of assistance.--The Secretary may, at the 
     request of the management entity, provide technical and 
     financial assistance to the management entity to develop and 
     implement the management plan.
       (2) Priority in assistance.--In assisting the management 
     entity, the Secretary shall give priority to actions that 
     assist in--
       (A) conserving the significant historical, cultural, and 
     natural resources that support the purpose of the Heritage 
     Area; and
       (B) providing educational, interpretive, and recreational 
     opportunities consistent with the resources and associated 
     values of the Heritage Area.
       (b) Approval and Disapproval of Management Plans.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
     Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, shall approve 
     or disapprove a management plan submitted under this title 
     not later than 90 days after receipt of the management plan.
       (2) Action following disapproval.--
       (A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves a management 
     plan, the Secretary shall advise the management entity in 
     writing of the reasons for the disapproval and shall make 
     recommendations for revisions to the management plan.
       (B) Deadline for approval of revision.--The Secretary shall 
     approve or disapprove a proposed revision within 90 days 
     after the date on which the revision is submitted to the 
     Secretary.
       (c) Approval of Amendments.--
       (1) Review.--The Secretary shall review substantial 
     amendments (as determined under section 6(c)(8)) to the 
     management plan for the Heritage Area.
       (2) Requirement of approval.--Funds made available under 
     this title shall not be expended to implement the amendments 
     described in paragraph (1) until the Secretary approves the 
     amendments.

     SEC. 108. SUNSET PROVISION.

       The Secretary shall not provide any grant or other 
     assistance under this title after September 30, 2012.

     SEC. 109. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this title $10,000,000, except that not more than 
     $1,000,000 may be appropriated to carry out this title for 
     any fiscal year.
       (b) 50-Percent Match.--The Federal share of the cost of 
     activities carried out using any assistance or grant under 
     this title shall not exceed 50 percent.

        TITLE II--SCHUYLKILL RIVER VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

     SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Schuylkill River Valley 
     National Heritage Area Act''.

     SEC. 202. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) the Schuylkill River Valley made a unique contribution 
     to the cultural, political, and industrial development of the 
     United States;
       (2) the Schuylkill River is distinctive as the first spine 
     of modern industrial development in Pennsylvania and one of 
     the first in the United States;
       (3) the Schuylkill River Valley played a significant role 
     in the struggle for nationhood;
       (4) the Schuylkill River Valley developed a prosperous and 
     productive agricultural economy that survives today;
       (5) the Schuylkill River Valley developed a charcoal iron 
     industry that made Pennsylvania the center of the iron 
     industry within the North American colonies;
       (6) the Schuylkill River Valley developed into a 
     significant anthracite mining region that continues to thrive 
     today;
       (7) the Schuylkill River Valley developed early 
     transportation systems, including the Schuylkill Canal and 
     the Reading Railroad;
       (8) the Schuylkill River Valley developed a significant 
     industrial base, including textile mills and iron works;
       (9) there is a longstanding commitment to--
       (A) repairing the environmental damage to the river and its 
     surroundings caused by the largely unregulated industrial 
     activity; and
       (B) completing the Schuylkill River Trail along the 128-
     mile corridor of the Schuylkill Valley;
       (10) there is a need to provide assistance for the 
     preservation and promotion of the significance of the 
     Schuylkill River as a system for transportation, agriculture, 
     industry, commerce, and immigration; and
       (11)(A) the Department of the Interior is responsible for 
     protecting the Nation's cultural and historical resources; 
     and
       (B) there are significant examples of such resources within 
     the Schuylkill River Valley to merit the involvement of the 
     Federal Government in the development of programs and

[[Page H7946]]

     projects, in cooperation with the Schuylkill River Greenway 
     Association, the State of Pennsylvania, and other local and 
     governmental bodies, to adequately conserve, protect, and 
     interpret this heritage for future generations, while 
     providing opportunities for education and revitalization.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this title are--
       (1) to foster a close working relationship with all levels 
     of government, the private sector, and the local communities 
     in the Schuylkill River Valley of southeastern Pennsylvania 
     and enable the communities to conserve their heritage while 
     continuing to pursue economic opportunities; and
       (2) to conserve, interpret, and develop the historical, 
     cultural, natural, and recreational resources related to the 
     industrial and cultural heritage of the Schuylkill River 
     Valley of southeastern Pennsylvania.

     SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Cooperative agreement.--The term ``cooperative 
     agreement'' means the cooperative agreement entered into 
     under section 204(d).
       (2) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the 
     Schuylkill River Valley National Heritage Area established by 
     section 204.
       (3) Management entity.--The term ``management entity'' 
     means the management entity of the Heritage Area appointed 
     under section 204(c).
       (4) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means 
     the management plan for the Heritage Area developed under 
     section 205.
       (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (6) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of 
     Pennsylvania.

     SEC. 204. ESTABLISHMENT.

       (a) In General.--For the purpose of preserving and 
     interpreting for the educational and inspirational benefit of 
     present and future generations certain land and structures 
     with unique and significant historical and cultural value 
     associated with the early development of the Schuylkill River 
     Valley, there is established the Schuylkill River Valley 
     National Heritage Area.
       (b) Boundaries.--The Heritage Area shall be comprised of 
     the Schuylkill River watershed within the counties of 
     Schuylkill, Berks, Montgomery, Chester, and Philadelphia, 
     Pennsylvania, as delineated by the Secretary.
       (c) Management Entity.--The management entity for the 
     Heritage Area shall be the Schuylkill River Greenway 
     Association.
       (d) Cooperative Agreement.--
       (1) In general.--To carry out this title, the Secretary 
     shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the management 
     entity.
       (2) Contents.--The cooperative agreement shall include 
     information relating to the objectives and management of the 
     Heritage Area, including--
       (A) a description of the goals and objectives of the 
     Heritage Area, including a description of the approach to 
     conservation and interpretation of the Heritage Area;
       (B) an identification and description of the management 
     entity that will administer the Heritage Area; and
       (C) a description of the role of the State.

     SEC. 205. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of this title, the management entity shall submit 
     to the Secretary for approval a management plan for the 
     Heritage Area that presents comprehensive recommendations for 
     the conservation, funding, management, and development of the 
     Heritage Area.
       (b) Requirements.--The management plan shall--
       (1) take into consideration State, county, and local plans;
       (2) involve residents, public agencies, and private 
     organizations working in the Heritage Area;
       (3) specify, as of the date of the plan, existing and 
     potential sources of funding to protect, manage, and develop 
     the Heritage Area; and
       (4) include--
       (A) actions to be undertaken by units of government and 
     private organizations to protect the resources of the 
     Heritage Area;
       (B) an inventory of the resources contained in the Heritage 
     Area, including a list of any property in the Heritage Area 
     that is related to the themes of the Heritage Area and that 
     should be preserved, restored, managed, developed, or 
     maintained because of its natural, cultural, historical, 
     recreational, or scenic significance;
       (C) a recommendation of policies for resource management 
     that considers and details application of appropriate land 
     and water management techniques, including the development of 
     intergovernmental cooperative agreements to protect the 
     historical, cultural, recreational, and natural resources of 
     the Heritage Area in a manner consistent with supporting 
     appropriate and compatible economic viability;
       (D) a program for implementation of the management plan by 
     the management entity;
       (E) an analysis of ways in which local, State, and Federal 
     programs may best be coordinated to promote the purposes of 
     this title; and
       (F) an interpretation plan for the Heritage Area.
       (c) Disqualification From Funding.--If a management plan is 
     not submitted to the Secretary on or before the date that is 
     3 years after the date of enactment of this title, the 
     Heritage Area shall be ineligible to receive Federal funding 
     under this title until the date on which the Secretary 
     receives the management plan.
       (d) Update of Plan.--In lieu of developing an original 
     management plan, the management entity may update and submit 
     to the Secretary the Schuylkill Heritage Corridor Management 
     Action Plan that was approved by the State in March, 1995, to 
     meet the requirements of this section.

     SEC. 206. AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF THE MANAGEMENT ENTITY.

       (a) Authorities of the Management Entity.--For purposes of 
     preparing and implementing the management plan, the 
     management entity may--
       (1) make grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements 
     with, the State and political subdivisions of the State, 
     private organizations, or any person; and
       (2) hire and compensate staff.
       (b) Duties of the Management Entity.--The management entity 
     shall--
       (1) develop and submit the management plan under section 
     205;
       (2) give priority to implementing actions set forth in the 
     cooperative agreement and the management plan, including 
     taking steps to--
       (A) assist units of government, regional planning 
     organizations, and nonprofit organizations in--
       (i) preserving the Heritage Area;
       (ii) establishing and maintaining interpretive exhibits in 
     the Heritage Area;
       (iii) developing recreational resources in the Heritage 
     Area;
       (iv) increasing public awareness of and, appreciation for, 
     the natural, historical, and architectural resources and 
     sites in the Heritage Area;
       (v) restoring historic buildings relating to the themes of 
     the Heritage Area; and
       (vi) ensuring that clear, consistent, and environmentally 
     appropriate signs identifying access points and sites of 
     interest are installed throughout the Heritage Area;
       (B) encourage economic viability in the Heritage Area 
     consistent with the goals of the management plan; and
       (C) encourage local governments to adopt land use policies 
     consistent with the management of the Heritage Area and the 
     goals of the management plan;
       (3) consider the interests of diverse governmental, 
     business, and nonprofit groups within the Heritage Area;
       (4) conduct public meetings at least quarterly regarding 
     the implementation of the management plan;
       (5) submit substantial changes (including any increase of 
     more than 20 percent in the cost estimates for 
     implementation) to the management plan to the Secretary for 
     the approval of the Secretary; and
       (6) for any fiscal year in which Federal funds are received 
     under this title--
       (A) submit to the Secretary a report describing--
       (i) the accomplishments of the management entity;
       (ii) the expenses and income of the management entity; and
       (iii) each entity to which the management entity made any 
     grant during the fiscal year;
       (B) make available for audit all records pertaining to the 
     expenditure of Federal funds and any matching funds, and 
     require, for all agreements authorizing expenditure of 
     Federal funds by organizations other than the management 
     entity, that the receiving organizations make available for 
     audit all records pertaining to the expenditure of such 
     funds; and
       (C) require, for all agreements authorizing expenditure of 
     Federal funds by organizations other than the management 
     entity, that the receiving organizations make available for 
     audit all records pertaining to the expenditure of Federal 
     funds.
       (c) Use of Federal Funds.--
       (1) In general.--The management entity shall not use 
     Federal funds received under this title to acquire real 
     property or an interest in real property.
       (2) Other sources.--Nothing in this title precludes the 
     management entity from using Federal funds from other sources 
     for their permitted purposes.
       (d) Spending for Non-Federally Owned Property.--The 
     management entity may spend Federal funds directly on non-
     federally owned property to further the purposes of this 
     title, especially in assisting units of government in 
     appropriate treatment of districts, sites, buildings, 
     structures, and objects listed or eligible for listing on the 
     National Register of Historic Places.

     SEC. 207. DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.

       (a) Technical and Financial Assistance.--
       (1) In general.--At the request of the management entity, 
     the Secretary may provide technical and financial assistance 
     to the Heritage Area to develop and implement the management 
     plan.
       (2) Priorities.--In assisting the management entity, the 
     Secretary shall give priority to actions that assist in--
       (A) conserving the significant natural, historical, and 
     cultural resources that support the themes of the Heritage 
     Area; and
       (B) providing educational, interpretive, and recreational 
     opportunities consistent with the resources and associated 
     values of the Heritage Area.
       (b) Approval and Disapproval of Cooperative Agreements and 
     Management Plans.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after receiving a 
     cooperative agreement or management plan submitted under this 
     title, the Secretary, in consultation with the Governor of 
     the State, shall approve or disapprove the cooperative 
     agreement or management plan.
       (2) Management plan contents.--In reviewing the plan, the 
     Secretary shall consider whether the composition of the 
     management entity and the plan adequately reflect diverse 
     interest of the region, including those of--
       (A) local elected officials,
       (B) the State,
       (C) business and industry groups,
       (D) organizations interested in the protection of natural 
     and cultural resources, and
       (E) other community organizations and individual 
     stakeholders.
       (3) Action following disapproval.--

[[Page H7947]]

       (A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves a cooperative 
     agreement or management plan, the Secretary shall--
       (i) advise the management entity in writing of the reasons 
     for the disapproval; and
       (ii) make recommendations for revisions in the cooperative 
     agreement or plan.
       (B) Time period for disapproval.--Not later than 90 days 
     after the date on which a revision described under 
     subparagraph (A)(ii) is submitted, the Secretary shall 
     approve or disapprove the proposed revision.
       (c) Approval of Amendments.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall review and approve 
     substantial amendments to the management plan.
       (2) Funding expenditure limitation.--Funds appropriated 
     under this title may not be expended to implement any 
     substantial amendment until the Secretary approves the 
     amendment.

     SEC. 208. CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF ANTHRACITE COAL REGION.

       (a) In General.--The management entities of heritage areas 
     (other than the Heritage Area) in the anthracite coal region 
     in the State shall cooperate in the management of the 
     Heritage Area.
       (b) Funding.--Management entities described in subsection 
     (a) may use funds appropriated for management of the Heritage 
     Area to carry out this section.

     SEC. 209. SUNSET.

       The Secretary may not make any grant or provide any 
     assistance under this title after the date that is 15 years 
     after the date of enactment of this title.

     SEC. 210. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this title not more than $10,000,000, of which not 
     more than $1,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated for any 
     one fiscal year.
       (b) Federal Share.--Federal funding provided under this 
     title may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of any 
     project or activity funded under this title.
       Amend the title so as to read: ``An Act to designate the 
     Lackawanna Valley and the Schuylkill River National Heritage 
     Areas, and for other purposes.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Sununu). Pursuant to House Resolution 
583, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood) and the gentleman 
from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood).
  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 
I urge my colleagues to support this motion so that we can send this 
bill, which is important to the people of Pennsylvania and the Nation, 
to the President.
  This bill, with the conforming amendments adopted by the Senate, 
establishes the two heritage areas in the State of Pennsylvania. The 
proposed Lackawanna Valley Heritage Area covers four counties in 
northeastern Pennsylvania, the counties of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne 
and Susquehanna. The Schuylkill River Valley Heritage Area will be made 
up of the Schuylkill River watershed within the counties of Schuylkill, 
Berks, Montgomery, Chester, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  The Lackawanna Valley was the first heritage area designated by the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I am pleased to tell my colleagues that 
the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority has been providing outstanding 
oversight and support of the Valley's historical and cultural 
resources. The Authority's executive director, John Cosgrove, and his 
staff, Sandra Eggert, Margo Tomlinson, Alice Sokoloski, and Jack 
Carling, have worked hard and are proud that for every Federal dollar 
provided over the last decade, the Lackawanna Valley Heritage Authority 
has leveraged $10 in State, local and private sector funds to finance 
preservation activities.
  I commend them for their past successes and know that the Lackawanna 
Heritage Valley Authority will continue to foster these important 
relationships with all levels of government, the private sector, and 
local communities.
  The Lackawanna Valley played a critical role in our Nation's history. 
Our coal mines powered the industrial revolution, and workers from the 
Lackawanna Valley played a significant role in the formation and 
development of the organized labor movement in the early part of the 
century.
  My bill was reported to the Committee on Resources last year on 
August 3, 1999, with an amendment. It passed the House of 
Representatives on September 13, 1999 under suspension of the rules. 
The Senate passed the bill last Monday, September 18, with a further 
amendment which made some conforming and technical changes. We must 
concur in the Senate amendments as soon as possible so that the 
National Park Service, the Lackawanna Valley Heritage Authority, and 
the Schuylkill River Greenway Association can begin their important 
work.
  The designation of the Lackawanna and Schuylkill River Valleys as a 
national heritage area will enable all Americans, for years to come, to 
witness and learn the story of anthracite mining, the labor movement, 
and the industrialization of America. I urge my colleagues to support 
this motion.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 940, as amended, establishes the Lackawanna Valley 
and Schuylkill Valley Heritage Areas in the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania. The bill originally passed the House by voice vote on 
September 13, 1999. The Senate passed the bill on Monday of this week 
and has returned the measure to the House with amendments. The Senate 
amendments make a number of technical, clarifying and conforming 
changes to the bill. These are noncontroversial changes which we 
support.
  The Lackawanna Valley covers the four counties of Lackawanna, 
Luzerne, Wayne, and Susquehanna counties in northeastern Pennsylvania. 
The proposed heritage area would preserve and interpret the Valley's 
historic, cultural, and natural resources, especially as they relate to 
anthracite coal. In addition, the bill provides for the designation of 
a Schuylkill River National Valley Heritage Area so that the 
preservation and interpretation of the resources of the anthracite coal 
region will also include the significant resources found in the 
Schuylkill River Valley.
  The Schuylkill River Valley Heritage Area would include the districts 
of our colleagues, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Holden) and the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel). These two Members have been 
strong advocates for the preservation and interpretation of the 
region's resources, and I want to commend them for their efforts in 
this regard.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 940, as amended, is a good heritage preservation 
proposal, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill with the Senate 
amendments so that we can complete action on this measure and send the 
bill to the President for his signature.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson).
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  I want to compliment my colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Sherwood), for his work on this legislation that was introduced, 
as was mentioned, in March of 1999. It has been over a year and a half 
that he has been working on this important piece of legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, by designating the Lackawanna Valley of Pennsylvania as 
a national heritage area, this important legislation would ensure the 
conservation of its significant historical and cultural resources. The 
Lackawanna Valley was the first heritage area site, as has been 
mentioned, designated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and is a 
nationally significant historic area, as documented in the U.S. 
Department of Interior's Register of Historic Places.
  The Valley represents the development of anthracite coal, one of 
North America's greatest natural resources. From early in the 19th 
century, Pennsylvania's coal provided an extraordinary source of energy 
which fueled America's economic growth for over 100 years.
  At the center of the world's most productive anthracite fields, the 
Lackawanna Valley witnessed the inception, spectacular growth, and 
eventual deterioration of an industry which led the United States to 
unparalleled prosperity. The Valley's current mix of ethnicity, its 
combination of dense urban areas and isolated settlements, and the 
desolate remains of coal mines surrounded by beautiful countryside are 
a microcosm of our legacy from the industrial revolution.
  As these contrasts illustrate, the industrial era was not without 
both

[[Page H7948]]

human and environmental costs. Thousands of immigrants worked in the 
deep mines under horrible conditions. Death and injury were 
commonplace. With no survivor benefits or disability compensation to 
withstand these calamities, anthracite miners created the Nation's 
first labor unions and they fought for the implementation of child 
labor laws, workplace safety, pension security, and fair labor 
standards.
  The new Americans who populated the Lackawanna Valley established 
strong communities, where ethnic ties were reinforced by church and 
fraternal societies that created a sense of security noticeably absent 
in the mines. The Valley's remaining ethnic neighborhoods are a 
testament to a pattern of urban growth that was once common in U.S. 
cities but is now disappearing.
  The landscape of the Valley conveys the story of the industrial 
revolution most clearly. Miles of tracks and hundreds of industrial 
sites and abandoned mines are daily reminders of the importance of the 
region to industry. Heritage sites like Pennsylvania's Anthracite 
Heritage Museum, the Scranton Iron Furnace Historic Site, the 
Lackawanna Valley County Coal Mine, and the Steam Town National 
Historic Site help to commemorate this struggle. These sites provide 
the framework for historic preservation which will be cemented by this 
proposed legislation.
  I must say, Mr. Speaker, this is not just historical preservation 
that is written down in a book, like this, talking about the Lackawanna 
Valley, this is historic preservation that future generations can drive 
through, walk through, can touch and feel. This is true historic 
preservation for future generations.
  Again, I compliment my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood) for 
his outstanding work on this legislation and his dedication to making 
sure this becomes law this year.
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Holden), who has been a 
strong advocate of the preservation and interpretation of this region's 
resources, and we appreciate his assistance in letting the Committee on 
Resources know the importance of this legislation.
  Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation, and I 
would like to thank the chairmen and ranking members of the full 
committee and the subcommittee for their help on this legislation as 
well as my friend, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood), who 
has been very gracious in including the Schuylkill River Heritage 
Corridor along with his Lackawanna Heritage Corridor. I appreciate his 
help.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation will give the Department of the 
Interior the opportunity to highlight the proud history of the 
Schuylkill River Heritage Corridor from the anthracite coal fields to 
Philadelphia, a proud history that includes anthracite coal, the fuel 
that really allowed us to have the industrial revolution in this 
country. It certainly fueled that and it gave us the resources to win 
World War I and World War II.
  Also, this area in the Schuylkill River Heritage Corridor includes a 
great history of organized labor. The Working Man's Benevolent 
Association was first formed in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and I 
am proud to say that my great grandfather was elected the first 
president of that organization. That was the forerunner to the United 
Mine Workers of America. That organization did so much, as was 
mentioned by the previous speaker, for worker safety, for child labor 
laws, an 8-hour day, and trying to get a 40-hour work. This is 
certainly something that will be highlighted by the Schuylkill River 
Greenway Association.
  Along with that we will go to Schuylkill Canal, which gave us the 
opportunity to get anthracite coal and agriculture products to market 
in Philadelphia.
  The Reading Railroad also will be highlighted by the Schuylkill River 
Greenway Association as contributing so much to the development of the 
United States, particularly to Pennsylvania.
  We also have such a proud agricultural history in Schuylkill and 
Berks County, in Montgomery and Chester, and we are going to have the 
opportunity to talk so much about those achievements, along with the 
great history of iron ore and textiles.

                              {time}  1145

  I can remember when I was a kid how many women worked in the 
factories. If you go back 30 or 40 years before that, the history of 
textiles in this country certainly was highlighted along the Schuylkill 
River.
  I think this legislation will be a great opportunity for the 
Department of the Interior to highlight a proud history. I would like 
to thank again the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his assistance and 
the chairman and ranking member of the committee and the subcommittee.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel). I first would 
like to just say that the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel) has 
worked very diligently with the House Committee on Resources to get us 
to understand the importance of this legislation. He has been a very 
strong advocate for the preservation and interpretation of this 
region's resources. We very much appreciate his hard work on this bill.
  Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New 
Mexico (Mr. Udall) for his kind remarks and his leadership. I also want 
to thank the chairman and ranking member of the committee that brought 
this forward and particularly thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Sherwood), who went out of his way to make sure the Schuylkill 
River was included in this legislation that originally was designed to 
help the Lackawanna River. As the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Holden) said, we are both grateful to be part of this because it is 
such an important improvement to our home areas.
  I rise in strong support of this bill because it will give us an 
opportunity to develop the Schuylkill River in Montgomery County as a 
real asset to our community. Schuylkill in Dutch means ``hidden 
river.'' It was named by the Dutch that discovered the Delaware and the 
confluence of the Delaware with the Schuylkill where Philadelphia now 
is. They almost missed the mouth of it so they called it the hidden 
river, the Schuylkill. Unfortunately in modern times, it remains a 
hidden river, at least in Montgomery County. My county has 700,000 
residents, lots of people, lots of industry, lots of activity; but we 
do not make good use of the riverfront. This legislation will allow us 
to develop the Schuylkill as an asset in our community. I do not mean 
develop in the sense of paving over or bulldozing things. What I mean 
is developing it as a recreational and open space asset, as a community 
asset, as well as a retail and residential asset.
  Rivers in our communities, particularly our urban communities and 
suburban communities, can restore the soul of a community. People like 
the water. People like to be around the water. They like to shop along 
the water, they like to live on the water, they like to play and walk 
along the water. In Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, we have not been 
able due to a lot of reasons to properly use the Schuylkill. This 
legislation will encourage the planning at the local and State level 
and provide some of the funding to pull together the planning already 
going on by such groups as the Schuylkill River Greenway Association, 
who will be the managing group under this legislation to make sure that 
we have a broad vision that can use the riverfront for riverfront 
walkways, for parks, for recreational opportunities, as well as the 
kind of retail and residential efforts in communities that people truly 
desire.
  I am delighted that this legislation is moving. I compliment again 
the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood) for his leadership. I 
urge all of my colleagues to vote yes.
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is a great example of bipartisanship, and it 
is the way that we should work with each other. We have two freshmen 
Members here, the gentleman from Pennsylvania

[[Page H7949]]

(Mr. Hoeffel) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood), who 
have worked diligently on this bill. We also have the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Holden) who has participated and been a part of this. 
I would just say that this is a good example of us working together.
  I congratulate all of the parties, including the gentleman from 
California (Mr. George Miller), for I know of his very hard work on 
this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to thank my colleagues from Pennsylvania for their cooperation 
on this bill. This is a wonderful thing to have a Lackawanna heritage 
area and a Schuylkill heritage area that both work to preserve what we 
have in Pennsylvania, a very unique heritage that was anthracite 
mining, early manufacturing, and the start of the industrial 
revolution, the start of the American labor movement. This will be a 
true preservation and an ability to continue the cleanup of those 
rivers so that they are treasures and they can be used as they were in 
colonial times, and there is great progress to be made in improving the 
environment. This is a cooperative effort to improve our environment 
and provide an interpretation of our history. This is a worthwhile 
project. I want to thank everyone that was involved in it. I ask for 
its passage.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 940 with the 
Senate amendments.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 940, as amended, establishes two new heritage 
areas, the Lackawanna Valley National Heritage Area and the Schuylkill 
River National Heritage Area, both in the State of Pennsylvania. Major 
credit for this legislation must go to Congressman Don Sherwood from 
Pennsylvania who has worked very hard in the creation of these Heritage 
Areas. In fact, this bill has been a long time coming, but Mr. Sherwood 
never gave up in his effort to pass this legislation.
  The proposed Heritage Areas, because of their current mix of 
ethnicity, combination of dense urban areas with isolated settlements, 
and their coal mines, represent a microcosm of our legacy from the 
industrial revolution. These areas played significant roles in the 
formation and development of the organized union movement, such as the 
United Mine Workers, in the early part of this century.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 940 authorizes two experienced private entities who 
will be responsible for the development and implementation of the 
management plans for the respective heritage areas. These management 
plans will include recommendations to be undertaken by local and state 
units of government along with private organizations to protect and 
interpret the historical, natural, cultural, and recreational resources 
of the areas. Of note, the management entities may not use Federal 
funds received under this act to acquire real property or interest in 
real property. This bill is supported by the administration and, 
importantly, the local communities and governments within the new 
heritage areas. This bill will focus well-deserved national attention 
to these areas of Pennsylvania and I urge my colleagues for their 
support on H.R. 940 with the Senate amendments.
  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Sununu). All time for debate has 
expired.
  Pursuant to House Resolution 583, the previous question is ordered.
  The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood).
  The motion was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________