[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.
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