[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 167 (Tuesday, November 18, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H11448-H11459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ESTABLISHING NATIONAL AVIATION HERITAGE AREA

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 280) to establish the National Aviation Heritage Area, and 
for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 280

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

                TITLE I--NATIONAL AVIATION HERITAGE AREA

     SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``National Aviation Heritage 
     Area Act''.

     SEC. 102. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Few technological advances have transformed the world 
     or our Nation's economy, society, culture, and national 
     character as the development of powered flight.
       (2) The industrial, cultural, and natural heritage legacies 
     of the aviation and aerospace industry in the State of Ohio 
     are nationally significant.
       (3) Dayton, Ohio, and other defined areas where the 
     development of the airplane and aerospace technology 
     established our Nation's leadership in both civil and 
     military aeronautics and astronautics set the foundation for 
     the 20th Century to be an American Century.
       (4) Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, is the 
     birthplace, the home, and an integral part of the future of 
     aerospace.
       (5) The economic strength of our Nation is connected 
     integrally to the vitality of the aviation and aerospace 
     industry, which is responsible for an estimated 11,200,000 
     American jobs.
       (6) The industrial and cultural heritage of the aviation 
     and aerospace industry in the State of Ohio includes the 
     social history and living cultural traditions of several 
     generations.
       (7) The Department of the Interior is responsible for 
     protecting and interpreting the Nation's cultural and 
     historic resources, and there are significant examples of 
     these resources within Ohio to merit the involvement of the 
     Federal Government to develop programs and projects in 
     cooperation with the Aviation Heritage Foundation, 
     Incorporated, the State of Ohio, and other local and 
     governmental entities to adequately conserve, protect, and 
     interpret this heritage for the educational and recreational 
     benefit of this and future generations of Americans, while 
     providing opportunities for education and revitalization.
       (8) Since the enactment of the Dayton Aviation Heritage 
     Preservation Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-419), partnerships 
     among the Federal, State, and local governments and the 
     private sector have greatly assisted the development and 
     preservation of the historic aviation resources in the Miami 
     Valley.
       (9) An aviation heritage area centered in Southwest Ohio is 
     a suitable and feasible management option to increase 
     collaboration, promote heritage tourism, and build on

[[Page H11449]]

     the established partnerships among Ohio's historic aviation 
     resources and related sites.
       (10) A critical level of collaboration among the historic 
     aviation resources in Southwest Ohio cannot be achieved 
     without a congressionally established national heritage area 
     and the support of the National Park Service and other 
     Federal agencies which own significant historic aviation-
     related sites in Ohio.
       (11) The Aviation Heritage Foundation, Incorporated, would 
     be an appropriate management entity to oversee the 
     development of the National Aviation Heritage Area.
       (12) Five National Park Service and Dayton Aviation 
     Heritage Commission studies and planning documents: ``Study 
     of Alternatives: Dayton's Aviation Heritage'', ``Dayton 
     Aviation Heritage National Historical Park Suitability/
     Feasibility Study'', ``Dayton Aviation Heritage General 
     Management Plan'', ``Dayton Historic Resources Preservation 
     and Development Plan'', and Heritage Area Concept Study, 
     demonstrated that sufficient historical resources exist to 
     establish the National Aviation Heritage Area.
       (13) With the advent of the 100th anniversary of the first 
     powered flight in 2003, it is recognized that the 
     preservation of properties nationally significant in the 
     history of aviation is an important goal for the future 
     education of Americans.
       (14) Local governments, the State of Ohio, and private 
     sector interests have embraced the heritage area concept and 
     desire to enter into a partnership with the Federal 
     government to preserve, protect, and develop the Heritage 
     Area for public benefit.
       (15) The National Aviation Heritage Area would complement 
     and enhance the aviation-related resources within the 
     National Park Service, especially the Dayton Aviation 
     Heritage National Historical Park, Ohio.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this title is to establish the 
     Heritage Area to--
       (1) encourage and facilitate collaboration among the 
     facilities, sites, organizations, governmental entities, and 
     educational institutions within the Heritage Area to promote 
     heritage tourism and to develop educational and cultural 
     programs for the public;
       (2) preserve and interpret for the educational and 
     inspirational benefit of present and future generations the 
     unique and significant contributions to our national heritage 
     of certain historic and cultural lands, structures, 
     facilities, and sites within the National Aviation Heritage 
     Area;
       (3) encourage within the National Aviation Heritage Area a 
     broad range of economic opportunities enhancing the quality 
     of life for present and future generations;
       (4) provide a management framework to assist the State of 
     Ohio, its political subdivisions, other areas, and private 
     organizations, or combinations thereof, in preparing and 
     implementing an integrated Management Plan to conserve their 
     aviation heritage and in developing policies and programs 
     that will preserve, enhance, and interpret the cultural, 
     historical, natural, recreation, and scenic resources of the 
     Heritage Area; and
       (5) authorize the Secretary to provide financial and 
     technical assistance to the State of Ohio, its political 
     subdivisions, and private organizations, or combinations 
     thereof, in preparing and implementing the private Management 
     Plan.

     SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS.

        For purposes of this title:
       (1) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the Board of Directors 
     of the Foundation.
       (2) Financial assistance.--The term ``financial 
     assistance'' means funds appropriated by Congress and made 
     available to the management entity for the purpose of 
     preparing and implementing the Management Plan.
       (3) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the 
     National Aviation Heritage Area established by section 104 to 
     receive, distribute, and account for Federal funds 
     appropriated for the purpose of this title.
       (4) Management plan.--The term ``Management Plan'' means 
     the management plan for the Heritage Area developed under 
     section 106.
       (5) Management entity.--The term ``management entity'' 
     means the Aviation Heritage Foundation, Incorporated (a 
     nonprofit corporation established under the laws of the State 
     of Ohio).
       (6) Partner.--The term ``partner'' means a Federal, State, 
     or local governmental entity, organization, private industry, 
     educational institution, or individual involved in promoting 
     the conservation and preservation of the cultural and natural 
     resources of the Heritage Area.
       (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (8) Technical assistance.--The term ``technical 
     assistance'' means any guidance, advice, help, or aid, other 
     than financial assistance, provided by the Secretary.

     SEC. 104. NATIONAL AVIATION HERITAGE AREA.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established in the States of 
     Ohio and Indiana, the National Aviation Heritage Area.
       (b) Boundaries.--The Heritage Area shall include the 
     following:
       (1) A core area consisting of resources in Montgomery, 
     Greene, Warren, Miami, Clark, Champaign, Shelby, and Auglaize 
     Counties in Ohio.
       (2) The Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Wapakoneta, 
     Ohio.
       (3) Sites, buildings, and districts within the core area 
     recommended by the Management Plan.
       (c) Map.--A map of the Heritage Area shall be included in 
     the Management Plan. The map shall be on file in the 
     appropriate offices of the National Park Service, Department 
     of the Interior.
       (d) Management Entity.--The management entity for the 
     Heritage Area shall be the Aviation Heritage Foundation.

     SEC. 105. AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF THE MANAGEMENT ENTITY.

       (a) Authorities.--For purposes of implementing the 
     Management Plan, the management entity may use Federal funds 
     made available through this title to--
       (1) make grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements 
     with, the State of Ohio and political subdivisions of that 
     State, private organizations, or any person;
       (2) hire and compensate staff; and
       (3) enter into contracts for goods and services.
       (b) Duties.--The management entity shall--
       (1) develop and submit to the Secretary for approval the 
     proposed Management Plan in accordance with section 106;
       (2) give priority to implementing actions set forth in the 
     Management Plan, including taking steps to assist units of 
     government and nonprofit organizations in preserving 
     resources within the Heritage Area;
       (3) consider the interests of diverse governmental, 
     business, and nonprofit groups within the Heritage Area in 
     developing and implementing the Management Plan;
       (4) maintain a collaboration among the partners to promote 
     heritage tourism and to assist partners to develop 
     educational and cultural programs for the public;
       (5) encourage economic viability in the Heritage Area 
     consistent with the goals of the Management Plan;
       (6) 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;
       (7) conduct public meetings at least quarterly regarding 
     the implementation of the Management Plan;
       (8) submit substantial amendments to the Management Plan to 
     the Secretary for the approval of the Secretary; and
       (9) for any year in which Federal funds have been received 
     under this title--
       (A) submit an annual report to the Secretary that sets 
     forth the accomplishments of the management entity and its 
     expenses and income;
       (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.
       (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 authorized purposes.

     SEC. 106. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

       (a) Preparation of Plan.--Not later than 3 years after the 
     date of the enactment of this title, the management entity 
     shall submit to the Secretary for approval a proposed 
     Management Plan that shall take into consideration State and 
     local plans and involve residents, public agencies, and 
     private organizations in the Heritage Area.
       (b) Contents.--The Management Plan shall incorporate an 
     integrated and cooperative approach for the protection, 
     enhancement, and interpretation of the natural, cultural, 
     historic, scenic, and recreational resources of the Heritage 
     Area and shall include the following:
       (1) An inventory of the resources contained in the core 
     area of the Heritage Area, including the Dayton Aviation 
     Heritage Historical Park, the sites, buildings, and districts 
     listed in section 202 of the Dayton Aviation Heritage 
     Preservation Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-419), and any other 
     property in the Heritage Area that is related to the themes 
     of the Heritage Area and that should be preserved, restored, 
     managed, or maintained because of its significance.
       (2) An assessment of cultural landscapes within the 
     Heritage Area.
       (3) Provisions for the protection, interpretation, and 
     enjoyment of the resources of the Heritage Area consistent 
     with the purposes of this title.
       (4) An interpretation plan for the Heritage Area.
       (5) A program for implementation of the Management Plan by 
     the management entity, including the following:
       (A) Facilitating ongoing collaboration among the partners 
     to promote heritage tourism and to develop educational and 
     cultural programs for the public.
       (B) Assisting partners planning for restoration and 
     construction.
       (C) Specific commitments of the partners for the first 5 
     years of operation.

[[Page H11450]]

       (6) The identification of sources of funding for 
     implementing the plan.
       (7) A description and evaluation of the management entity, 
     including its membership and organizational structure.
       (c) Disqualification From Funding.--If a proposed 
     Management Plan is not submitted to the Secretary within 3 
     years of the date of the enactment of this title, the 
     management entity shall be ineligible to receive additional 
     funding under this title until the date on which the 
     Secretary receives the proposed Management Plan.
       (d) Approval and Disapproval of Management Plan.--The 
     Secretary, in consultation with the State of Ohio, shall 
     approve or disapprove the proposed Management Plan submitted 
     under this title not later than 90 days after receiving such 
     proposed Management Plan.
       (e) Action Following Disapproval.--If the Secretary 
     disapproves a proposed 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 proposed Management Plan. The Secretary shall approve 
     or disapprove a proposed revision within 90 days after the 
     date it is submitted.
       (f) Approval of Amendments.--The Secretary shall review and 
     approve substantial amendments to the Management Plan. Funds 
     appropriated under this title may not be expended to 
     implement any changes made by such amendment until the 
     Secretary approves the amendment.

     SEC. 107. TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE; OTHER FEDERAL 
                   AGENCIES.

       (a) Technical and Financial Assistance.--Upon the request 
     of the management entity, the Secretary may provide technical 
     assistance, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, and 
     financial assistance to the Heritage Area to develop and 
     implement the management plan. The Secretary is authorized to 
     enter into cooperative agreements with the management entity 
     and other public or private entities for this purpose. In 
     assisting the Heritage Area, the Secretary shall give 
     priority to actions that in general assist in--
       (1) conserving the significant natural, historic, cultural, 
     and scenic resources of the Heritage Area; and
       (2) providing educational, interpretive, and recreational 
     opportunities consistent with the purposes of the Heritage 
     Area.
       (b) Duties of Other Federal Agencies.--Any Federal agency 
     conducting or supporting activities directly affecting the 
     Heritage Area shall--
       (1) consult with the Secretary and the management entity 
     with respect to such activities;
       (2) cooperate with the Secretary and the management entity 
     in carrying out their duties under this title;
       (3) to the maximum extent practicable, coordinate such 
     activities with the carrying out of such duties; and
       (4) to the maximum extent practicable, conduct or support 
     such activities in a manner which the management entity 
     determines will not have an adverse effect on the Heritage 
     Area.

     SEC. 108. COORDINATION BETWEEN THE SECRETARY AND THE 
                   SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AND THE ADMINISTRATOR OF 
                   NASA.

        The decisions concerning the execution of this title as it 
     applies to properties under the control of the Secretary of 
     Defense and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration shall be made by such Secretary or such 
     Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of the 
     Interior.

     SEC. 109. REQUIREMENTS FOR INCLUSION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY.

       (a) Notification and Consent of Property Owners Required.--
     No privately owned property shall be preserved, conserved, or 
     promoted by the management plan for the Heritage Area until 
     the owner of that private property has been notified in 
     writing by the management entity and has given written 
     consent for such preservation, conservation, or promotion to 
     the management entity.
       (b) Landowner Withdraw.--Any owner of private property 
     included within the boundary of the Heritage Area shall have 
     their property immediately removed from the boundary by 
     submitting a written request to the management entity.

     SEC. 110. PRIVATE PROPERTY PROTECTION.

       (a) Access to Private Property.--Nothing in this title 
     shall be construed to--
       (1) require any private property owner to allow public 
     access (including Federal, State, or local government access) 
     to such private property; or
       (2) modify any provision of Federal, State, or local law 
     with regard to public access to or use of private property.
       (b) Liability.--Designation of the Heritage Area shall not 
     be considered to create any liability, or to have any effect 
     on any liability under any other law, of any private property 
     owner with respect to any persons injured on such private 
     property.
       (c) Recognition of Authority To Control Land Use.--Nothing 
     in this title shall be construed to modify the authority of 
     Federal, State, or local governments to regulate land use.
       (d) Participation of Private Property Owners in Heritage 
     Area.--Nothing in this title shall be construed to require 
     the owner of any private property located within the 
     boundaries of the Heritage Area to participate in or be 
     associated with the Heritage Area.
       (e) Effect of Establishment.--The boundaries designated for 
     the Heritage Area represent the area within which Federal 
     funds appropriated for the purpose of this title may be 
     expended. The establishment of the Heritage Area and its 
     boundaries shall not be construed to provide any nonexisting 
     regulatory authority on land use within the Heritage Area or 
     its viewshed by the Secretary, the National Park Service, or 
     the management entity.

     SEC. 111. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--To carry out this title there is 
     authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000, except that not 
     more than $1,000,000 may be appropriated to carry out this 
     title for any fiscal year.
       (b) Fifty 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.

     SEC. 112. SUNSET PROVISION.

       The authority of the Secretary to provide assistance under 
     this title terminates on the date that is 15 years after the 
     date that funds are first made available for this title.

                 TITLE II--WRIGHT COMPANY FACTORY STUDY

     SEC. 201. STUDY AND REPORT.

       (a) Study.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a special 
     resource study updating the study required under section 104 
     of the Dayton Aviation Heritage Preservation Act of 1992 
     (Public Law 102-419) and detailing alternatives for 
     incorporating the Wright Company factory as a unit of Dayton 
     Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.
       (2) Contents.--The study shall include an analysis of 
     alternatives for including the Wright Company factory as a 
     unit of Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park 
     that detail management and development options and costs.
       (3) Consultation.--In conducting the study, the Secretary 
     shall consult with the Delphi Corporation, the Aviation 
     Heritage Foundation, State and local agencies, and other 
     interested parties in the area.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 3 years after funds are first 
     made available for this section, the Secretary shall submit 
     to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives 
     and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
     Senate a report describing the results of the study conducted 
     under this section.

            TITLE III--STEEL INDUSTRY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

     SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

        This title may be cited as the ``Steel Industry National 
     Historic Site Act''.

     SEC. 302. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
       (1) Certain sites and structures in the Commonwealth of 
     Pennsylvania symbolize in physical form the heritage of the 
     steel industry of the United States.
       (2) Certain buildings and other structures in the 
     Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are nationally significant 
     historical resources, including the United States Steel 
     Homestead Works, the Carrie Furnace complex, and the Hot 
     Metal Bridge.
       (3) Despite substantial efforts for cultural preservation 
     and historical interpretation by the Commonwealth of 
     Pennsylvania and by individuals and public and private 
     entities in the Commonwealth, these buildings and other 
     structures may be lost without the assistance of the Federal 
     Government.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this title are to ensure the 
     preservation, interpretation, visitor enjoyment, and 
     maintenance of the nationally significant historical and 
     cultural sites and structures described in subsection (a) for 
     the benefit and inspiration of present and future 
     generations.

     SEC. 303. STEEL INDUSTRY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, 
                   PENNSYLVANIA.

       (a) Establishment.--The Steel Industry National Historic 
     Site is hereby established as a unit of the National Park 
     System in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
       (b) Description.--
       (1) Inclusion of certain property.--Subject to paragraph 
     (2), the historic site shall consist of the following 
     properties, each of which relate to the former United States 
     Steel Homestead Works, as depicted on the map entitled 
     ``Steel Industry National Historic Site'', dated November 
     2003, and numbered 80,000:
       (A) The historic location of the Battle of Homestead site 
     in the borough of Munhall, Pennsylvania, consisting of 
     approximately 3 acres of land, including the pumphouse and 
     water tower and related structures, within the property 
     bounded by the Monongahela River, the CSX railroad, 
     Waterfront Drive, and the Damascus-Marcegaglia Steel Mill.
       (B) The historic location of the Carrie Furnace complex in 
     the boroughs of Swissvale and Rankin, Pennsylvania, 
     consisting of approximately 35 acres of land, including blast 
     furnaces 6 and 7, the ore yard, the cast house, the blowing 
     engine house, the AC power house, and related structures, 
     within the property bounded by the proposed southwesterly 
     right-of-way line needed to accommodate the Mon/Fayette 
     Expressway and the relocated CSX railroad right-of-way, the 
     Monongahela River, and a property line drawn northeast to 
     southwest approximately 100 yards east of the AC power house.
       (C) The historic location of the Hot Metal Bridge, 
     consisting of the Union railroad

[[Page H11451]]

     bridge and its approaches, spanning the Monongahela River and 
     connecting the mill sites in the boroughs of Rankin and 
     Munhall, Pennsylvania.
       (2) Availability of map.--The map referred to in paragraph 
     (1) shall be available for public inspection in an 
     appropriate office of the National Park Service.
       (c) Acquisition of Property.-- To further the purposes of 
     this section, the Secretary of the Interior may acquire, only 
     by donation, property for inclusion in the historic site as 
     follows:
       (1) Any land or interest in land with respect to the 
     property identified in subsection (b)(1).
       (2) Up to 10 acres of land adjacent to or in the general 
     proximity of the property identified in such subsection, for 
     the development of visitor, administrative, museum, 
     curatorial, and maintenance facilities.
       (3) Personal property associated with, and appropriate for, 
     the interpretation of the historic site.
       (d) Private Property Protections.--Nothing in this title 
     shall be construed--
       (1) to require any private property owner to permit public 
     access (including Federal, State, or local government access) 
     to the private property; or
       (2) to modify any provision of Federal, State, or local law 
     with regard to public access to or use of private property.
       (e) Administration.--The Secretary of the Interior shall 
     administer the historic site in accordance with this title 
     and the provisions of law generally applicable to units of 
     the National Park System, including the Act of August 25, 
     1916 (16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), and the Act of August 21, 1935 
     (16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.).
       (f) Cooperative Agreements.--
       (1) In general.--Until such time as the Secretary of the 
     Interior has acquired the property identified in subsection 
     (b)(1), as depicted on the map referred to in such 
     subsection, the Secretary may enter into a cooperative 
     agreement with any interested individual, public or private 
     agency, organization, or institution to further the purposes 
     of the historic site.
       (2) Contrary purposes.--Any payment made by the Secretary 
     pursuant to a cooperative agreement under this subsection 
     shall be subject to an agreement that conversion, use, or 
     disposal of the project so assisted for purposes contrary to 
     the purpose of the historic site, as determined by the 
     Secretary, shall result in a right of the United States to 
     reimbursement of all funds made available to such a project 
     or the proportion of the increased value of the project 
     attributable to such funds as determined at the time of such 
     conversion, use, or disposal, whichever is greater.
       (g) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     may provide technical assistance to any person for--
       (1) the preservation of historic structures within the 
     historic site; and
       (2) the maintenance of the natural and cultural landscape 
     of the historic site.
       (h) General Management Plan.--
       (1) Preparation.--Not later than three years after the date 
     on which funds are first made available to carry out this 
     title, the Secretary of the Interior shall prepare a general 
     management plan for the historic site that will incorporate 
     or otherwise address substantive comments made during the 
     consultation required by paragraph (2).
       (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall prepare the general 
     management plan in consultation with--
       (A) an appropriate official of each appropriate political 
     subdivision of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that has 
     jurisdiction over all or a portion of the lands included in 
     the historic site;
       (B) an appropriate official of the Steel Industry Heritage 
     Corporation; and
       (C) private property owners in the vicinity of the historic 
     site.
       (3) Submission of plan to congress.--Upon the completion of 
     the general management plan, the Secretary shall submit a 
     copy of the plan to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the 
     House of Representatives.

     SEC. 304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There is authorized to be appropriated for the purposes of 
     this title not more than $40,000,000.

            TITLE IV--ST. CROIX NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY

     SEC. 401. ST. CROIX NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``St. 
     Croix National Heritage Area Study Act''.
       (b) Study.--The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation 
     with appropriate State historic preservation officers, States 
     historical societies, and other appropriate organizations, 
     shall conduct a study regarding the suitability and 
     feasibility of designating the island of St. Croix as the St. 
     Croix National Heritage Area. The study shall include 
     analysis, documentation, and determination regarding whether 
     the island of St. Croix--
       (1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural 
     resources that together represent distinctive aspects of 
     American heritage worthy of recognition, conservation, 
     interpretation, and continuing use, and are best managed 
     through partnerships among public and private entities and by 
     combining diverse and sometimes noncontiguous resources and 
     active communities;
       (2) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve natural, 
     historic, cultural, or scenic features;
       (3) provides outstanding recreational and educational 
     opportunities;
       (4) contains resources important to the identified theme or 
     themes of the island of St. Croix that retain a degree of 
     integrity capable of supporting interpretation;
       (5) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit 
     organizations, and local and State governments that are 
     involved in the planning, have developed a conceptual 
     financial plan that outlines the roles of all participants 
     (including the Federal Government), and have demonstrated 
     support for the concept of a national heritage area;
       (6) has a potential management entity to work in 
     partnership with residents, business interests, nonprofit 
     organizations, and local and State governments to develop a 
     national heritage area consistent with continued local and 
     State economic activity; and
       (7) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the 
     public.
       (c) Private Property.--In conducting the study required by 
     this section, the Secretary of the Interior shall analyze the 
     potential impact that designation of the area as a national 
     heritage area is likely to have on land within the proposed 
     area or bordering the proposed area that is privately owned 
     at the time that the study is conducted.
       (d) Report.--Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date 
     on which funds are first made available for this section, the 
     Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the Committee on 
     Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on the 
     findings, conclusions, and recommendations as the Secretary 
     deems appropriate.

            TITLE V--ARABIA MOUNTAIN NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

     SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Arabia Mountain National 
     Heritage Area Act''.

     SEC. 502. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The Arabia Mountain area contains a variety of natural, 
     cultural, historical, scenic, and recreational resources that 
     together represent distinctive aspects of the heritage of the 
     United States that are worthy of recognition, conservation, 
     interpretation, and continuing use.
       (2) The best methods for managing the resources of the 
     Arabia Mountain area would be through partnerships between 
     public and private entities that combine diverse resources 
     and active communities.
       (3) Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, a 535-acre 
     park in DeKalb County, Georgia--
       (A) protects granite outcrop ecosystems, wetland, and pine 
     and oak forests; and
       (B) includes federally-protected plant species.
       (4) Panola Mountain, a national natural landmark, located 
     in the 860-acre Panola Mountain State Conservation Park, is a 
     rare example of a pristine granite outcrop.
       (5) The archaeological site at Miners Creek Preserve along 
     the South River contains documented evidence of early human 
     activity.
       (6) The city of Lithonia, Georgia, and related sites of 
     Arabia Mountain and Stone Mountain possess sites that display 
     the history of granite mining as an industry and culture in 
     Georgia, and the impact of that industry on the United 
     States.
       (7) The community of Klondike is eligible for designation 
     as a National Historic District.
       (8) The city of Lithonia has 2 structures listed on the 
     National Register of Historic Places.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this title are as follows:
       (1) To recognize, preserve, promote, interpret, and make 
     available for the benefit of the public the natural, 
     cultural, historical, scenic, and recreational resources in 
     the area that includes Arabia Mountain, Panola Mountain, 
     Miners Creek, and other significant sites and communities.
       (2) To assist the State of Georgia and the counties of 
     DeKalb, Rockdale, and Henry in the State in developing and 
     implementing an integrated cultural, historical, and land 
     resource management program to protect, enhance, and 
     interpret the significant resources within the heritage area.

     SEC. 503. DEFINITIONS.

        For the purposes of this title, the following definitions 
     apply:
       (1) Heritage area.--The term ``heritage area'' means the 
     Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area established by section 
     504.
       (2) Management entity.--The term ``management entity'' 
     means the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance or a 
     successor of the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance.
       (3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means 
     the management plan for the heritage area developed under 
     section 506.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (5) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Georgia.

     SEC. 504. ARABIA MOUNTAIN NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established the Arabia 
     Mountain National Heritage Area in the State.
       (b) Boundaries.--The heritage area shall consist of certain 
     parcels of land in the counties of DeKalb, Rockdale, and 
     Henry in the State, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
     ``Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area'', numbered AMNHA/
     80,000, and dated October, 2003.

[[Page H11452]]

       (c) Availability of Map.--The map shall be on file and 
     available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of 
     the National Park Service.
       (d) Management Entity.--The Arabia Mountain Heritage Area 
     Alliance shall be the management entity for the heritage 
     area.

     SEC. 505. AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF THE MANAGEMENT ENTITY.

       (a) Authorities.--For purposes of developing and 
     implementing the management plan, the management entity may--
       (1) make grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements 
     with, the State, political subdivisions of the State, and 
     private organizations;
       (2) hire and compensate staff; and
       (3) enter into contracts for goods and services.
       (b) Duties.--
       (1) Management plan.--
       (A) In general.--The management entity shall develop and 
     submit to the Secretary the management plan.
       (B) Considerations.--In developing and implementing the 
     management plan, the management entity shall consider the 
     interests of diverse governmental, business, and nonprofit 
     groups within the heritage area.
       (2) Priorities.--The management entity shall give priority 
     to implementing actions described in the management plan, 
     including assisting units of government and nonprofit 
     organizations in preserving resources within the heritage 
     area.
       (3) Public meetings.--The management entity shall conduct 
     public meetings at least quarterly on the implementation of 
     the management plan.
       (4) Annual report.--For any year in which Federal funds 
     have been made available under this title, the management 
     entity shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that 
     describes the following:
       (A) The accomplishments of the management entity.
       (B) The expenses and income of the management entity.
       (5) Audit.--The management entity shall--
       (A) make available to the Secretary for audit all records 
     relating to the expenditure of Federal funds and any matching 
     funds; and
       (B) 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 those funds.
       (c) Use of Federal Funds.--
       (1) In general.--The management entity shall not use 
     Federal funds made available 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 made available 
     under other Federal laws for any purpose for which the funds 
     are authorized to be used.

     SEC. 506. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

       (a) In General.--The management entity shall develop a 
     management plan for the heritage area that incorporates an 
     integrated and cooperative approach to protect, interpret, 
     and enhance the natural, cultural, historical, scenic, and 
     recreational resources of the heritage area.
       (b) Basis.--The management plan shall be based on the 
     preferred concept in the document entitled ``Arabia Mountain 
     National Heritage Area Feasibility Study'', dated February 
     28, 2001.
       (c) Consideration of Other Plans and Actions.--The 
     management plan shall--
       (1) take into consideration State and local plans; and
       (2) involve residents, public agencies, and private 
     organizations in the heritage area.
       (d) Requirements.--The management plan shall include the 
     following:
       (1) An inventory of the resources in the heritage area, 
     including--
       (A) a list of property in the heritage area that--
       (i) relates to the purposes of the heritage area; and
       (ii) should be preserved, restored, managed, or maintained 
     because of the significance of the property; and
       (B) an assessment of cultural landscapes within the 
     heritage area.
       (2) Provisions for the protection, interpretation, and 
     enjoyment of the resources of the heritage area consistent 
     with the purposes of this title.
       (3) An interpretation plan for the heritage area.
       (4) A program for implementation of the management plan 
     that includes--
       (A) actions to be carried out by units of government, 
     private organizations, and public-private partnerships to 
     protect the resources of the heritage area; and
       (B) the identification of existing and potential sources of 
     funding for implementing the plan.
       (5) A description and evaluation of the management entity, 
     including the membership and organizational structure of the 
     management entity.
       (e) Submission to Secretary for Approval.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the management entity shall submit 
     the management plan to the Secretary for approval.
       (2) Effect of failure to submit.--If a management plan is 
     not submitted to the Secretary by the date specified in 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not provide any additional 
     funding under this title until such date as a management plan 
     for the heritage area is submitted to the Secretary.
       (f) Approval and Disapproval of Management Plan.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after receiving the 
     management plan submitted under subsection (e), the 
     Secretary, in consultation with the State, shall approve or 
     disapprove the management plan.
       (2) Action following disapproval.--
       (A) Revision.--If the Secretary disapproves a management 
     plan submitted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
       (i) advise the management entity in writing of the reasons 
     for the disapproval;
       (ii) make recommendations for revisions to the management 
     plan; and
       (iii) allow the management entity to submit to the 
     Secretary revisions to the management plan.
       (B) Deadline for approval of revision.--Not later than 90 
     days after the date on which a revision is submitted under 
     subparagraph (A)(iii), the Secretary shall approve or 
     disapprove the revision.
       (g) Revision of Management Plan.--
       (1) In general.--After approval by the Secretary of a 
     management plan, the management entity shall periodically--
       (A) review the management plan; and
       (B) submit to the Secretary, for review and approval by the 
     Secretary, the recommendations of the management entity for 
     any revisions to the management plan that the management 
     entity considers to be appropriate.
       (2) Expenditure of funds.--No funds made available under 
     this title shall be used to implement any revision proposed 
     by the management entity under paragraph (1)(B) until the 
     Secretary approves the revision.

     SEC. 507. TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

       (a) 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.
       (b) Priority.--In providing assistance under subsection 
     (a), the Secretary shall give priority to actions that 
     facilitate--
       (1) the conservation of the significant natural, cultural, 
     historical, scenic, and recreational resources that support 
     the purposes of the heritage area; and
       (2) the provision of educational, interpretive, and 
     recreational opportunities that are consistent with the 
     resources and associated values of the heritage area.

     SEC. 508. EFFECT ON CERTAIN AUTHORITY.

       (a) Occupational, Safety, Conservation, and Environmental 
     Regulation.--Nothing in this title--
       (1) imposes an occupational, safety, conservation, or 
     environmental regulation on the heritage area that is more 
     stringent than the regulations that would be applicable to 
     the land described in section 504(b) but for the 
     establishment of the heritage area by section 504; or
       (2) authorizes a Federal agency to promulgate an 
     occupational, safety, conservation, or environmental 
     regulation for the heritage area that is more stringent than 
     the regulations applicable to the land described in section 
     504(b) as of the date of enactment of this Act, solely as a 
     result of the establishment of the heritage area by section 
     504.
       (b) Land Use Regulation.--Nothing in this title--
       (1) modifies, enlarges, or diminishes any authority of the 
     Federal Government or a State or local government to regulate 
     any use of land as provided for by law (including 
     regulations) in existence on the date of enactment of this 
     Act; or
       (2) grants powers of zoning or land use to the management 
     entity.

     SEC. 509. REQUIREMENTS FOR INCLUSION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY.

       (a) Notification and Consent of Property Owners Required.--
     No privately owned property shall be preserved, conserved, or 
     promoted by the management plan for the Heritage Area until 
     the owner of that private property has been notified in 
     writing by the management entity and has given written 
     consent for such preservation, conservation, or promotion to 
     the management entity.
       (b) Landowner Withdraw.--Any owner of private property 
     included within the boundary of the Heritage Area shall have 
     their property immediately removed from the boundary by 
     submitting a written request to the management entity.

     SEC. 510. PRIVATE PROPERTY PROTECTION.

       (a) Access to Private Property.--Nothing in this title 
     shall be construed to--
       (1) require any private property owner to allow public 
     access (including Federal, State, or local government access) 
     to such private property; or
       (2) modify any provision of Federal, State, or local law 
     with regard to public access to or use of private property.
       (b) Liability.--Designation of the Heritage Area shall not 
     be considered to create any liability, or to have any effect 
     on any liability under any other law, of any private property 
     owner with respect to any persons injured on such private 
     property.
       (c) Recognition of Authority To Control Land Use.--Nothing 
     in this title shall be construed to modify the authority of 
     Federal, State, or local governments to regulate land use.
       (d) Participation of Private Property Owners in Heritage 
     Area.--Nothing in this

[[Page H11453]]

     title shall be construed to require the owner of any private 
     property located within the boundaries of the Heritage Area 
     to participate in or be associated with the Heritage Area.
       (e) Effect of Establishment.--The boundaries designated for 
     the Heritage Area represent the area within which Federal 
     funds appropriated for the purpose of this title may be 
     expended. The establishment of the Heritage Area and its 
     boundaries shall not be construed to provide any nonexisting 
     regulatory authority on land use within the Heritage Area or 
     its viewshed by the Secretary, the National Park Service, or 
     the management entity.

     SEC. 511. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this title $10,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended, of which not more than $1,000,000 may be used in 
     any fiscal year.
       (b) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of any 
     project or activity carried out using funds made available 
     under this title shall not exceed 50 percent.

     SEC. 512. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.

        The authority of the Secretary to make any grant or 
     provide any assistance under this title shall terminate on 
     September 30, 2016.

        TITLE VI--UPPER HOUSATONIC VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

     SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Upper Housatonic Valley 
     National Heritage Area Act''.

     SEC. 602. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The upper Housatonic Valley, encompassing 29 towns in 
     the hilly terrain of western Massachusetts and northwestern 
     Connecticut, is a singular geographical and cultural region 
     that has made significant national contributions through its 
     literary, artistic, musical, and architectural achievements, 
     its iron, paper, and electrical equipment industries, and its 
     scenic beautification and environmental conservation efforts.
       (2) The upper Housatonic Valley has 139 properties and 
     historic districts listed on the National Register of 
     Historic Places including--
       (A) five National Historic Landmarks--
       (i) Edith Wharton's home, The Mount, Lenox, Massachusetts;
       (ii) Herman Melville's home, Arrowhead, Pittsfield, 
     Massachusetts;
       (iii) W.E.B. DuBois' Boyhood Homesite, Great Barrington, 
     Massachusetts;
       (iv) Mission House, Stockbridge, Massachusetts; and
       (v) Crane and Company Old Stone Mill Rag Room, Dalton, 
     Massachusetts; and
       (B) four National Natural Landmarks--
       (i) Bartholomew's Cobble, Sheffield, Massachusetts, and 
     Salisbury, Connecticut;
       (ii) Beckley Bog, Norfolk, Connecticut;
       (iii) Bingham Bog, Salisbury, Connecticut; and
       (iv) Cathedral Pines, Cornwall, Connecticut.
       (3) Writers, artists, musicians, and vacationers have 
     visited the region for more than 150 years to enjoy its 
     scenic wonders, making it one of the country's leading 
     cultural resorts.
       (4) The upper Housatonic Valley has made significant 
     national cultural contributions through such writers as 
     Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edith Wharton, and 
     W.E.B. DuBois, artists Daniel Chester French and Norman 
     Rockwell, and the performing arts centers of Tanglewood, 
     Music Mountain, Norfolk (Connecticut) Chamber Music Festival, 
     Jacob's Pillow, and Shakespeare & Company.
       (5) The upper Housatonic Valley is noted for its pioneering 
     achievements in the iron, paper, and electrical generation 
     industries and has cultural resources to interpret those 
     industries.
       (6) The region became a national leader in scenic 
     beautification and environmental conservation efforts 
     following the era of industrialization and deforestation and 
     maintains a fabric of significant conservation areas 
     including the meandering Housatonic River.
       (7) Important historical events related to the American 
     Revolution, Shays' Rebellion, and early civil rights took 
     place in the upper Housatonic Valley.
       (8) The region had an American Indian presence going back 
     10,000 years and Mohicans had a formative role in contact 
     with Europeans during the seventeenth and eighteenth 
     centuries.
       (9) The Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area has 
     been proposed in order to heighten appreciation of the 
     region, preserve its natural and historical resources, and 
     improve the quality of life and economy of the area.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this title are as follows:
       (1) To establish the Upper Housatonic Valley National 
     Heritage Area in the State of Connecticut and the 
     Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
       (2) To implement the national heritage area alternative as 
     described in the document entitled ``Upper Housatonic Valley 
     National Heritage Area Feasibility Study, 2003''.
       (3) To provide a management framework to foster a close 
     working relationship with all levels of government, the 
     private sector, and the local communities in the upper 
     Housatonic Valley region to conserve the region's heritage 
     while continuing to pursue compatible economic opportunities.
       (4) To assist communities, organizations, and citizens in 
     the State of Connecticut and the Commonwealth of 
     Massachusetts in identifying, preserving, interpreting, and 
     developing the historical, cultural, scenic, and natural 
     resources of the region for the educational and inspirational 
     benefit of current and future generations.

     SEC. 603. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the 
     Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, established 
     in section 604.
       (2) Management entity.--The term ``Management Entity'' 
     means the management entity for the Heritage Area designated 
     by section 604(d).
       (3) Management plan.--The term ``Management Plan'' means 
     the management plan for the Heritage Area specified in 
     section 606.
       (4) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled 
     ``Boundary Map Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage 
     Area'', numbered P17/80,000, and dated February 2003.
       (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (6) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of 
     Connecticut and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

     SEC. 604. UPPER HOUSATONIC VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established the Upper 
     Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area.
       (b) Boundaries.--The Heritage Area shall be comprised of--
       (1) part of the Housatonic River's watershed, which extends 
     60 miles from Lanesboro, Massachusetts to Kent, Connecticut;
       (2) the towns of Canaan, Colebrook, Cornwall, Kent, 
     Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, and Warren in 
     Connecticut; and
       (3) the towns of Alford, Becket, Dalton, Egremont, Great 
     Barrington, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesboro, Lee, Lenox, 
     Monterey, Mount Washington, New Marlboro, Pittsfield, 
     Richmond, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Tyringham, Washington, and 
     West Stockbridge in Massachusetts.
       (c) Availability of Map.--The map shall be on file and 
     available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of 
     the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
       (d) Management Entity.--The Upper Housatonic Valley 
     National Heritage Area, Inc. shall be the management entity 
     for the Heritage Area.

     SEC. 605. AUTHORITIES, PROHIBITIONS AND DUTIES OF THE 
                   MANAGEMENT ENTITY.

       (a) Duties of the Management Entity.--To further the 
     purposes of the Heritage Area, the management entity shall--
       (1) prepare and submit a management plan for the Heritage 
     Area to the Secretary in accordance with section 606;
       (2) assist units of local government, regional planning 
     organizations, and nonprofit organizations in implementing 
     the approved management plan by--
       (A) carrying out programs and projects that recognize, 
     protect and enhance important resource values within the 
     Heritage Area;
       (B) establishing and maintaining interpretive exhibits and 
     programs within the Heritage Area;
       (C) developing recreational and educational opportunities 
     in the Heritage Area;
       (D) increasing public awareness of and appreciation for 
     natural, historical, scenic, and cultural resources of the 
     Heritage Area;
       (E) protecting and restoring historic sites and buildings 
     in the Heritage Area that are consistent with heritage area 
     themes;
       (F) ensuring that signs identifying points of public access 
     and sites of interest are posted throughout the Heritage 
     Area; and
       (G) promoting a wide range of partnerships among 
     governments, organizations and individuals to further the 
     purposes of the Heritage Area;
       (3) consider the interests of diverse units of government, 
     businesses, organizations and individuals in the Heritage 
     Area in the preparation and implementation of the management 
     plan;
       (4) conduct meetings open to the public at least semi-
     annually regarding the development and implementation of the 
     management plan;
       (5) submit an annual report to the Secretary for any fiscal 
     year in which the management entity receives Federal funds 
     under this title, setting forth its accomplishments, 
     expenses, and income, including grants to any other entities 
     during the year for which the report is made;
       (6) make available for audit for any fiscal year in which 
     it receives Federal funds under this title, all information 
     pertaining to the expenditure of such funds and any matching 
     funds, and require in all agreements authorizing expenditures 
     of Federal funds by other organizations, that the receiving 
     organizations make available for such audit all records and 
     other information pertaining to the expenditure of such 
     funds; and
       (7) encourage by appropriate means economic development 
     that is consistent with the purposes of the Heritage Area.
       (b) Authorities.--The management entity may, for the 
     purposes of preparing and implementing the management plan 
     for the Heritage Area, use Federal funds made available 
     through this title to--

[[Page H11454]]

       (1) make grants to the State of Connecticut and the 
     Commonwealth of Massachusetts, their political subdivisions, 
     nonprofit organizations and other persons;
       (2) enter into cooperative agreements with or provide 
     technical assistance to the State of Connecticut and the 
     Commonwealth of Massachusetts, their subdivisions, nonprofit 
     organizations, and other interested parties;
       (3) hire and compensate staff, which shall include 
     individuals with expertise in natural, cultural, and 
     historical resources protection, and heritage programming;
       (4) obtain money or services from any source including any 
     that are provided under any other Federal law or program;
       (5) contract for goods or services; and
       (6) undertake to be a catalyst for any other activity that 
     furthers the purposes of the Heritage Area and is consistent 
     with the approved management plan.
       (c) Prohibitions on the Acquisition of Real Property.--The 
     management entity may not use Federal funds received under 
     this title to acquire real property, but may use any other 
     source of funding, including other Federal funding outside 
     this authority, intended for the acquisition of real 
     property.

     SEC. 606. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

       (a) In General.--The management plan for the Heritage Area 
     shall--
       (1) include comprehensive policies, strategies and 
     recommendations for conservation, funding, management and 
     development of the Heritage Area;
       (2) take into consideration existing State, county, and 
     local plans in the development of the management plan and its 
     implementation;
       (3) include a description of actions that governments, 
     private organizations, and individuals have agreed to take to 
     protect the natural, historical and cultural resources of the 
     Heritage Area;
       (4) specify the existing and potential sources of funding 
     to protect, manage, and develop the Heritage Area in the 
     first 5 years of implementation;
       (5) include an inventory of the natural, historical, 
     cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of 
     the Heritage Area related to the themes of the Heritage Area 
     that should be preserved, restored, managed, developed, or 
     maintained;
       (6) describe a program of implementation for the management 
     plan including plans for resource protection, restoration, 
     construction, and specific commitments for implementation 
     that have been made by the management entity or any 
     government, organization, or individual for the first 5 years 
     of implementation; and
       (7) include an interpretive plan for the Heritage Area.
       (b) Deadline and Termination of Funding.--
       (1) Deadline.--The management entity shall submit the 
     management plan to the Secretary for approval within 3 years 
     after funds are made available for this title.
       (2) Termination of funding.--If the management plan is not 
     submitted to the Secretary in accordance with this 
     subsection, the management entity shall not qualify for 
     Federal funding under this title until such time as the 
     management plan is submitted to the Secretary.

     SEC. 607. DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES OF THE SECRETARY.

       (a) Technical and Financial Assistance.--The Secretary may, 
     upon the request of the management entity, provide technical 
     assistance on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis and 
     financial assistance to the Heritage Area to develop and 
     implement the approved management plan. The Secretary is 
     authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with the 
     management entity and other public or private entities for 
     this purpose. In assisting the Heritage Area, the Secretary 
     shall give priority to actions that in general assist in--
       (1) conserving the significant natural, historical, 
     cultural, and scenic resources of the Heritage Area; and
       (2) providing educational, interpretive, and recreational 
     opportunities consistent with the purposes of the Heritage 
     Area.
       (b) Approval and Disapproval of Management Plan.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall approve or disapprove 
     the management plan not later than 90 days after receiving 
     the management plan.
       (2) Criteria for approval.--In determining the approval of 
     the management plan, the Secretary shall consider whether--
       (A) the management entity is representative of the diverse 
     interests of the Heritage Area including governments, natural 
     and historic resource protection organizations, educational 
     institutions, businesses, and recreational organizations;
       (B) the management entity has afforded adequate 
     opportunity, including public hearings, for public and 
     governmental involvement in the preparation of the management 
     plan;
       (C) the resource protection and interpretation strategies 
     contained in the management plan, if implemented, would 
     adequately protect the natural, historical, and cultural 
     resources of the Heritage Area; and
       (D) the management plan is supported by the appropriate 
     State and local officials whose cooperation is needed to 
     ensure the effective implementation of the State and local 
     aspects of the management plan.
       (3) Action following disapproval.--If the Secretary 
     disapproves the management plan, the Secretary shall advise 
     the management entity in writing of the reasons therefore and 
     shall make recommendations for revisions to the management 
     plan. The Secretary shall approve or disapprove a proposed 
     revision within 60 days after the date it is submitted.
       (4) Approval of amendments.--Substantial amendments to the 
     management plan shall be reviewed by the Secretary and 
     approved in the same manner as provided for the original 
     management plan. The management entity shall not use Federal 
     funds authorized by this title to implement any amendments 
     until the Secretary has approved the amendments.

     SEC. 608. DUTIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

       Any Federal agency conducting or supporting activities 
     directly affecting the Heritage Area shall--
       (1) consult with the Secretary and the management entity 
     with respect to such activities;
       (2) cooperate with the Secretary and the management entity 
     in carrying out their duties under this title and, to the 
     maximum extent practicable, coordinate such activities with 
     the carrying out of such duties; and,
       (3) to the maximum extent practicable, conduct or support 
     such activities in a manner which the management entity 
     determines will not have an adverse effect on the Heritage 
     Area.

     SEC. 609. REQUIREMENTS FOR INCLUSION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY.

       (a) Notification and Consent of Property Owners Required.--
     No privately owned property shall be preserved, conserved, or 
     promoted by the management plan for the Heritage Area until 
     the owner of that private property has been notified in 
     writing by the management entity and has given written 
     consent for such preservation, conservation, or promotion to 
     the management entity.
       (b) Landowner Withdraw.--Any owner of private property 
     included within the boundary of the Heritage Area shall have 
     their property immediately removed from the boundary by 
     submitting a written request to the management entity.

     SEC. 610. PRIVATE PROPERTY PROTECTION.

       (a) Access to Private Property.--Nothing in this title 
     shall be construed to--
       (1) require any private property owner to allow public 
     access (including Federal, State, or local government access) 
     to such private property; or
       (2) modify any provision of Federal, State, or local law 
     with regard to public access to or use of private property.
       (b) Liability.--Designation of the Heritage Area shall not 
     be considered to create any liability, or to have any effect 
     on any liability under any other law, of any private property 
     owner with respect to any persons injured on such private 
     property.
       (c) Recognition of Authority To Control Land Use.--Nothing 
     in this title shall be construed to modify the authority of 
     Federal, State, or local governments to regulate land use.
       (d) Participation of Private Property Owners in Heritage 
     Area.--Nothing in this title shall be construed to require 
     the owner of any private property located within the 
     boundaries of the Heritage Area to participate in or be 
     associated with the Heritage Area.
       (e) Effect of Establishment.--The boundaries designated for 
     the Heritage Area represent the area within which Federal 
     funds appropriated for the purpose of this title may be 
     expended. The establishment of the Heritage Area and its 
     boundaries shall not be construed to provide any nonexisting 
     regulatory authority on land use within the Heritage Area or 
     its viewshed by the Secretary, the National Park Service, or 
     the management entity.

     SEC. 611. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated for 
     the purposes of this title not more than $1,000,000 for any 
     fiscal year. Not more than a total of $10,000,000 may be 
     appropriated for the Heritage Area under this title.
       (b) Matching Funds.--Federal funding provided under this 
     title may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of any 
     assistance or grant provided or authorized under this title.

     SEC. 612. SUNSET.

       The authority of the Secretary to provide assistance under 
     this title shall terminate on the day occurring 15 years 
     after funds are first made available for this title.

              TITLE VII--OIL REGION NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

     SEC. 701. SHORT TITLE; DEFINITIONS.

       (a) Short Title.--This title may be cited as the ``Oil 
     Region National Heritage Area Act''.
       (b) Definitions.--For the purposes of this title, the 
     following definitions shall apply:
       (1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the 
     Oil Region National Heritage Area established in section 
     703(a).
       (2) Management entity.--The term ``management entity'' 
     means the Oil Heritage Region, Inc., or its successor entity.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 702. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The Oil Region of Northwestern Pennsylvania, with 
     numerous sites and districts listed on the National Register 
     of Historic Places, and designated by the Governor of 
     Pennsylvania as one of the State Heritage Park Areas, is a 
     region with tremendous

[[Page H11455]]

     physical and natural resources and possesses a story of 
     State, national, and international significance.
       (2) The single event of Colonel Edwin Drake's drilling of 
     the world's first successful oil well in 1859 has affected 
     the industrial, natural, social, and political structures of 
     the modern world.
       (3) Six national historic districts are located within the 
     State Heritage Park boundary, in Emlenton, Franklin, Oil 
     City, and Titusville, as well as 17 separate National 
     Register sites.
       (4) The Allegheny River, which was designated as a 
     component of the national wild and scenic rivers system in 
     1992 by Public Law 102-271, traverses the Oil Region and 
     connects several of its major sites, as do some of the 
     river's tributaries such as Oil Creek, French Creek, and 
     Sandy Creek.
       (5) The unspoiled rural character of the Oil Region 
     provides many natural and recreational resources, scenic 
     vistas, and excellent water quality for people throughout the 
     United States to enjoy.
       (6) Remnants of the oil industry, visible on the landscape 
     to this day, provide a direct link to the past for visitors, 
     as do the historic valley settlements, riverbed settlements, 
     plateau developments, farmlands, and industrial landscapes.
       (7) The Oil Region also represents a cross section of 
     American history associated with Native Americans, frontier 
     settlements, the French and Indian War, African Americans and 
     the Underground Railroad, and immigration of Swedish and 
     Polish individuals, among others.
       (8) Involvement by the Federal Government shall serve to 
     enhance the efforts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 
     local subdivisions of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 
     volunteer organizations, and private businesses, to promote 
     the cultural, national, and recreational resources of the 
     region in order to fulfill their full potential.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this title is to enhance a 
     cooperative management framework to assist the Commonwealth 
     of Pennsylvania, its units of local government, and area 
     citizens in conserving, enhancing, and interpreting the 
     significant features of the lands, water, and structures of 
     the Oil Region, in a manner consistent with compatible 
     economic development for the benefit and inspiration of 
     present and future generations in the Commonwealth of 
     Pennsylvania and the United States.

     SEC. 703. OIL REGION NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

       (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Oil 
     Region National Heritage Area.
       (b) Boundaries.--The boundaries of the Heritage Area shall 
     include all of those lands depicted on a map entitled ``Oil 
     Region National Heritage Area'', numbered OIRE/20,000 and 
     dated October, 2000. The map shall be on file in the 
     appropriate offices of the National Park Service. The 
     Secretary of the Interior shall publish in the Federal 
     Register, as soon as practical after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, a detailed description and map of the 
     boundaries established under this subsection.
       (c) Management Entity.--The management entity for the 
     Heritage Area shall be the Oil Heritage Region, Inc., the 
     locally based private, nonprofit management corporation which 
     shall oversee the development of a management plan in 
     accordance with section 705(b).

     SEC. 704. COMPACT.

       To carry out the purposes of this title, the Secretary 
     shall enter into a compact with the management entity. The 
     compact shall include information relating to the objectives 
     and management of the area, including 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 Secretary and management entity.

     SEC. 705. AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF MANAGEMENT ENTITY.

       (a) Authorities of the Management Entity.--The management 
     entity may use funds made available under this title for 
     purposes of preparing, updating, and implementing the 
     management plan developed under subsection (b). Such purposes 
     may include--
       (1) making grants to, and entering into cooperative 
     agreements with, States and their political subdivisions, 
     private organizations, or any other person;
       (2) hiring and compensating staff; and
       (3) undertaking initiatives that advance the purposes of 
     the Heritage Area.
       (b) Management Plan.--The management entity shall develop a 
     management plan for the Heritage Area that--
       (1) presents comprehensive strategies and recommendations 
     for conservation, funding, management, and development of the 
     Heritage Area;
       (2) takes into consideration existing State, county, and 
     local plans and involves residents, public agencies, and 
     private organizations working in the Heritage Area;
       (3) includes a description of actions that units of 
     government and private organizations have agreed to take to 
     protect the resources of the Heritage Area;
       (4) specifies the existing and potential sources of funding 
     to protect, manage, and develop the Heritage Area;
       (5) includes 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, 
     historic, recreational, or scenic significance;
       (6) describes a program for implementation of the 
     management plan by the management entity, including plans for 
     restoration and construction, and specific commitments for 
     that implementation that have been made by the management 
     entity and any other persons for the first 5 years of 
     implementation;
       (7) lists any revisions to the boundaries of the Heritage 
     Area proposed by the management entity and requested by the 
     affected local government; and
       (8) includes an interpretation plan for the Heritage Area.
       (c) Deadline; Termination of Funding.--
       (1) Deadline.--The management entity shall submit the 
     management plan to the Secretary within 2 years after the 
     funds are made available for this title.
       (2) Termination of funding.--If a management plan is not 
     submitted to the Secretary in accordance with this 
     subsection, the management entity shall not qualify for 
     Federal assistance under this title.
       (d) Duties of Management Entity.--The management entity 
     shall--
       (1) give priority to implementing actions set forth in the 
     compact and management plan;
       (2) assist units of government, regional planning 
     organizations, 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 
     natural, historical, and architectural resources and sites in 
     the Heritage Area;
       (D) the restoration of any historic building relating to 
     the themes of the Heritage Area;
       (E) ensuring that clear signs identifying access points and 
     sites of interest are put in place throughout the Heritage 
     Area; and
       (F) carrying out other actions that the management entity 
     determines to be advisable to fulfill the purposes of this 
     title;
       (3) encourage by appropriate means economic viability in 
     the Heritage Area consistent with the goals of the management 
     plan;
       (4) consider the interests of diverse governmental, 
     business, and nonprofit groups within the Heritage Area; and
       (5) for any year in which Federal funds have been provided 
     to implement the management plan under subsection (b)--
       (A) conduct public meetings at least annually regarding the 
     implementation of the management plan;
       (B) submit an annual report to the Secretary setting forth 
     accomplishments, expenses and income, and each person to 
     which any grant was made by the management entity in the year 
     for which the report is made; and
       (C) require, for all agreements entered into by the 
     management entity authorizing expenditure of Federal funds by 
     any other person, that the person making the expenditure make 
     available to the management entity for audit all records 
     pertaining to the expenditure of such funds.
       (e) Prohibition on the Acquisition of Real Property.--The 
     management entity may not use Federal funds received under 
     this title to acquire real property or an interest in real 
     property.

     SEC. 706. DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES OF THE SECRETARY.

       (a) Technical and Financial Assistance.--
       (1) In general.--
       (A) Overall assistance.--The Secretary may, upon the 
     request of the management entity, and subject to the 
     availability of appropriations, provide technical and 
     financial assistance to the management entity to carry out 
     its duties under this title, including updating and 
     implementing a management plan that is submitted under 
     section 705(b) and approved by the Secretary and, prior to 
     such approval, providing assistance for initiatives.
       (B) Other assistance.--If the Secretary has the resources 
     available to provide technical assistance to the management 
     entity to carry out its duties under this title (including 
     updating and implementing a management plan that is submitted 
     under section 705(b) and approved by the Secretary and, prior 
     to such approval, providing assistance for initiatives), upon 
     the request of the management entity the Secretary shall 
     provide such assistance on a reimbursable basis. This 
     subparagraph does not preclude the Secretary from providing 
     nonreimbursable assistance under subparagraph (A).
       (2) Priority.--In assisting the management entity, the 
     Secretary shall give priority to actions that assist in the--
       (A) implementation of the management plan;
       (B) provision of educational assistance and advice 
     regarding land and water management techniques to conserve 
     the significant natural resources of the region;
       (C) development and application of techniques promoting the 
     preservation of cultural and historic properties;
       (D) preservation, restoration, and reuse of publicly and 
     privately owned historic buildings;
       (E) design and fabrication of a wide range of interpretive 
     materials based on the management plan, including guide 
     brochures, visitor displays, audio-visual and interactive

[[Page H11456]]

     exhibits, and educational curriculum materials for public 
     education; and
       (F) implementation of initiatives prior to approval of the 
     management plan.
       (3) Documentation of structures.--The Secretary, acting 
     through the Historic American Building Survey and the 
     Historic American Engineering Record, shall conduct studies 
     necessary to document the industrial, engineering, building, 
     and architectural history of the Heritage Area.
       (b) Approval and Disapproval of Management Plans.--The 
     Secretary, in consultation with the Governor of Pennsylvania, 
     shall approve or disapprove a management plan submitted under 
     this title not later than 90 days after receiving such plan. 
     In approving the plan, the Secretary shall take into 
     consideration the following criteria:
       (1) The extent to which the management plan adequately 
     preserves and protects the natural, cultural, and historical 
     resources of the Heritage Area.
       (2) The level of public participation in the development of 
     the management plan.
       (3) The extent to which the board of directors of the 
     management entity is representative of the local government 
     and a wide range of interested organizations and citizens.
       (c) Action Following Disapproval.--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 in 
     the management plan. The Secretary shall approve or 
     disapprove a proposed revision within 90 days after the date 
     it is submitted.
       (d) Approving Changes.--The Secretary shall review and 
     approve amendments to the management plan under section 
     705(b) that make substantial changes. Funds appropriated 
     under this title may not be expended to implement such 
     changes until the Secretary approves the amendments.
       (e) Effect of Inaction.--If the Secretary does not approve 
     or disapprove a management plan, revision, or change within 
     90 days after it is submitted to the Secretary, then such 
     management plan, revision, or change shall be deemed to have 
     been approved by the Secretary.

     SEC. 707. DUTIES OF OTHER FEDERAL ENTITIES.

       Any Federal entity conducting or supporting activities 
     directly affecting the Heritage Area shall--
       (1) consult with the Secretary and the management entity 
     with respect to such activities;
       (2) cooperate with the Secretary and the management entity 
     in carrying out their duties under this title and, to the 
     maximum extent practicable, coordinate such activities with 
     the carrying out of such duties; and
       (3) to the maximum extent practicable, conduct or support 
     such activities in a manner that the management entity 
     determines shall not have an adverse effect on the Heritage 
     Area.

     SEC. 708. SUNSET.

       The Secretary may not make any grant or provide any 
     assistance under this title after the expiration of the 15-
     year period beginning on the date that funds are first made 
     available for this title.

     SEC. 709. REQUIREMENTS FOR INCLUSION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY.

       (a) Notification and Consent of Property Owners Required.--
     No privately owned property shall be preserved, conserved, or 
     promoted by the management plan for the Heritage Area until 
     the owner of that private property has been notified in 
     writing by the management entity and has given written 
     consent for such preservation, conservation, or promotion to 
     the management entity.
       (b) Landowner Withdraw.--Any owner of private property 
     included within the boundary of the Heritage Area shall have 
     their property immediately removed from the boundary by 
     submitting a written request to the management entity.

     SEC. 710. PRIVATE PROPERTY PROTECTION.

       (a) Access to Private Property.--Nothing in this title 
     shall be construed to--
       (1) require any private property owner to allow public 
     access (including Federal, State, or local government access) 
     to such private property; or
       (2) modify any provision of Federal, State, or local law 
     with regard to public access to or use of private property.
       (b) Liability.--Designation of the Heritage Area shall not 
     be considered to create any liability, or to have any effect 
     on any liability under any other law, of any private property 
     owner with respect to any persons injured on such private 
     property.
       (c) Recognition of Authority To Control Land Use.--Nothing 
     in this title shall be construed to modify the authority of 
     Federal, State, or local governments to regulate land use.
       (d) Participation of Private Property Owners in Heritage 
     Area.--Nothing in this title shall be construed to require 
     the owner of any private property located within the 
     boundaries of the Heritage Area to participate in or be 
     associated with the Heritage Area.
       (e) Effect of Establishment.--The boundaries designated for 
     the Heritage Area represent the area within which Federal 
     funds appropriated for the purpose of this title may be 
     expended. The establishment of the Heritage Area and its 
     boundaries shall not be construed to provide any nonexisting 
     regulatory authority on land use within the Heritage Area or 
     its viewshed by the Secretary, the National Park Service, or 
     the management entity.

     SEC. 711. USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES.

       Nothing in this title shall preclude the management entity 
     from using Federal funds available under Acts other than this 
     title for the purposes for which those funds were authorized.

     SEC. 712. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this title--
       (1) not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year; and
       (2) not more than a total of $10,000,000.
       (b) 50 Percent Match.--Financial assistance provided under 
     this title may not be used to pay more than 50 percent of the 
     total cost of any activity carried out with that assistance.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Souder) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Indiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 280, as amended by the Committee on Resources, contains seven 
titles, a sort of national heritage area omnibus bill.
  Title I of the bill would establish the National Aviation Heritage 
Area across eight counties in Ohio consisting of historically 
significant sites, buildings and districts associated with the 
development of the aviation and aerospace industry in America.
  Title II would authorize a special resource study that would update 
the study required under section 104 of the Dayton Aviation Heritage 
Preservation Act of 1992 and detail alternatives for incorporating the 
Wright Company factory as a unit of the Dayton Aviation Heritage 
National Historical Park.
  Title III would establish the Steel Industry National Historic Park 
in southwestern Pennsylvania encompassing the United States Steel 
Homestead Works, site of the 1862 bloody Homestead Steel strike, the 
Carrie Furnace complex from the Homestead Works, and the famous Hot 
Metal Bridge.
  Title IV would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 
study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing the St. Croix 
National Heritage Area in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
  The fifth title would establish the Arabia Mountain National Heritage 
Area in the State of Georgia, highlighting the archaeological 
settlement of the Lithonia region and the unique granite outcroppings 
that characterize the region's topography.
  Title VI would establish the Upper Housatonic Valley National 
Heritage Area in the State of Connecticut and the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts, preserving its national contributions in literature, 
art, music, architecture, iron and paper, and its electrical equipment 
industries.
  Finally, title VII of the bill would establish the Oil Region 
National Heritage Area in northwestern Pennsylvania, home of the first 
oil drilling site in North America.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 280, as amended, is supported by the majority and 
the minority of the committee. I urge my colleagues to support this 
bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my commendation 
to the gentleman from Ohio for his sponsorship of this legislation, 
which passed the committee on a bipartisan basis.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 280 as brought to the House today is a bipartisan 
package of legislation dealing with several heritage areas and historic 
sites. All of

[[Page H11457]]

the components of the amended H.R. 280 have been considered and 
approved by the Committee on Resources as stand-alone legislation, but 
have been combined into one bill to simplify its consideration.
  The various provisions of the amended H.R. 280 dealing with private 
property represent a compromise between the majority and the minority. 
As with most good compromises, there are elements that we do not wholly 
agree with, but which overall are acceptable as a means to advance the 
legislation that is now before us.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 280, as amended, represents the efforts of many 
Members and organizations to advance the preservation and 
interpretation of certain historic resources. I congratulate the 
sponsors for their work and support the adoption of H.R. 280, as 
amended, by the House this evening.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my friend and near 
neighbor, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hobson).
  Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman, the ranking 
member, and those gentlemen carrying the bill on the floor today for 
their great work on this piece of legislation. This is, as they said, a 
combination of a number of pieces of legislation that they have worked 
very hard to bring together. This is not an easy task to do. The staff 
did a great job of working this out with everybody involved to where we 
have a piece of legislation today that I think on a bipartisan fashion 
works for everybody. That is when I think this legislature is at its 
best, when we come together and work together to get bills such as this 
done.
  I certainly am strong for the part of the bill that relates to the 
National Aviation Heritage Area, but I also am supportive of all the 
rest of the bill. I thank all the Members and would urge the passage of 
the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 280, the National 
Aviation Heritage Area Act of 2003. I would first like to thank 
Chairman Pombo, and the Members of the Resources Committee, as well as 
the Chairman of the National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands 
Subcommittee, George Radanovich, for their leadership and cooperation 
in advancing this bill.
  I have introduced this legislation with Representatives Mike Turner, 
John Boehner, and virtually all of the Ohio Delegation to create a 
National Aviation Heritage Area to enhance significant historical 
resources of interest to all Americans and to further national 
awareness of Ohio's key role in the history of aviation. I can think of 
no better way to preserve and carry on the years of hard work and 
preparation leading up to this year's 100th anniversary of the first 
powered flight, than to establish this heritage area.
  Few technological advances have transformed the world or our Nation's 
economy, society, culture, and national character as the development of 
powered flight. Ohioans such as the Wright Brothers, John Glenn, and 
Neil Armstrong have been at the forefront of every major development 
associated with flight. But just as important are the inventors, 
scientists and engineers that have made it possible in less than 100 
years to not only fly between continents, but also to fly to the moon 
and maintain a presence in space.
  This legislation is fully in the spirit of President Bush's recent 
``Preserve America'' executive order which declared, ``It is the policy 
of the Federal Government to provide leadership in preserving America's 
heritage . . . by promoting intergovernmental cooperation and 
partnerships for the preservation and use of historic properties.''
  The Members of Congress from Ohio have a long record of promoting the 
preservation of aviation sites in Central Ohio. We have previously 
worked together to secure funding for the U.S. Air Force Museum, the 
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, and the National 
Aviation Hall of Fame. We have worked closely with the community to 
make sure that this year's Centennial of Flight celebration was a huge 
success.
  For these reasons, it is vitally important that we move forward with 
this legislation and I urge a ``yes'' vote on the National Aviation 
Heritage Area Act of 2003.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver).

                              {time}  1915

  Mr. OLVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 280, which 
includes as title VI the establishment of the Upper Housatonic Valley 
National Heritage area in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
  Let me start by thanking the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. 
Johnson) for her hard work on this initiative. It has been a pleasure 
working with her.
  During the 106th Congress, H.R. 4312 authorized the Secretary of the 
Interior to conduct a feasibility study of the Upper Housatonic as a 
potential national heritage area. That study documents that the Upper 
Housatonic Valley meets the Interior Department's criteria for such a 
designation. The Park Service recognizes the valley as ``distinctive 
for having a landscape that includes a blend of industrial innovations, 
environmental conservation initiatives, and cultural achievements of 
national significance.''
  The Upper Housatonic Valley includes 29 communities in western 
Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut. And I would like to 
highlight a few of the many contributions this region of New England 
brings to our national heritage.
  Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edith Wharton, Oliver Wendell 
Holmes, Jr.; Norman Rockwell; Suzy Frelinghuesen are just a few of the 
prominent artists and writers who have made the Housatonic Valley their 
home and the subject of their work. Today visitors can see these 
artists' work on display as local museums before taking in a classical 
music concert at Tanglewood or visiting the magnificently restored 
Shaker Village in Hancock. The Upper Housatonic has a rich cultural 
heritage and thriving artistic community to this day.
  The Members may not be familiar with the name Elizabeth ``Mumbet'' 
Freeman today, but her role in our national history is rightfully 
recognized in the newly reopened National Archives ``Charters of 
Freedom'' exhibit. A slave from Sheffield, Massachusetts, Mumbet sued 
in Massachusetts's court for her freedom, leading to the abolition of 
slavery in Massachusetts in 1793. Many years later the great civil 
rights leader W.E.B. Dubois made his home in Great Barrington, 
Massachusetts. His papers are archived and open to the public today at 
the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
  As I hoped to highlight today, the Upper Housatonic Valley is an area 
rich in culture, history, and innovation against the backdrop of scenic 
landscapes. Its designation as a National Heritage Area will help 
preserve this treasure for years to come. I urge an aye vote in support 
of this legislation.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Peterson), committee member and also another 
appropriator.
  Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Indiana for yielding me this time, and I would like to thank committee 
and all those involved in bringing forward this heritage region omnibus 
bill which includes the Oil Heritage Region bill. I come from the Oil 
Valley where oil was discovered. In fact, I live 5 miles from Drake's 
Well where the first oil well that produced oil, ever, in the world was 
dug. Colonel Drake, in the middle of the 19th Century, came to 
Titusville, and it was sort of Drake's folly. He was going to drill for 
oil. They could not get the drilling rigs, and so they actually dug a 
well 68 feet deep. And one would wonder why they chose that valley. 
Because that creek was already Oil Creek that ran between Oil City and 
Titusville, Titusville to Oil City, because that stream always had oil 
on it. The gas pressure, the oil sand being only 68 feet below the 
surface, oil was always oozing up into springs and small streams and 
into Oil Creek; so it was always named Oil Creek because there was 
always a scum of oil on Oil Creek. That valley changed the world. It 
changed our whole transportation system. And here 150 years later, we 
still use for vehicle oil, the same kind of oil that was discovered 
back when Drake's oil was dug. It was the home base of all the major 
oil companies. Every major oil company in this country has its roots in 
Titusville and Oil City. Cities Service and Sunoco, all of those 
started there. In my lifetime, the companies that used to be there, 
Quaker State, Pennzoil, and Kendall, were the Penn-grade crude 
refineries that remained because Pennsylvania-grade crude is a 
paraffin-based crude, not an asphalt-based crude as in other parts of 
the world.

[[Page H11458]]

  I want to make sure that everyone realizes that the Oil Heritage Area 
in no way threatens private property rights. There are those who 
believe that a heritage area somehow is going to take away personal 
private property rights. This legislation speaks clearly to that issue, 
that those with private property will only be involved in the heritage 
area if they so choose to. In our area, we have a lot of State land, 
local land, and Federal properties that are a part of the area, and in 
1994 the State started the State Oil Heritage Area, and we are now in 
the process of making that the National Oil Heritage Area. Why do we 
want to do that? It is about preserving the history of oil. The one 
item that I say changed the world more than any other discovery, 
except, maybe today, the computer, as we look at how the computer has 
changed the world. Oil changed the whole world in how we travel, how we 
manufacture. The industrial revolution came from it, and it all started 
by Colonel Drake's digging a well in Titusville, Pennsylvania, Colonel 
Drake's Well.
  Drake Well Park is there. Oil Creek State Park is there. And Oil 
Creek today is one of the finest fishing streams in Pennsylvania. Trout 
and bass propagate there naturally. That is a sign of a pretty good 
stream. And 150 years ago, that whole area was drilled, oil wells were 
beside each other, and today it is a pristine State park and a 
beautiful area, and we just want to tell the story of oil which we 
think should be told and the whole world should be able to hear it.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to support 
this bill. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I thank all the sponsors of the bill that went into this historic 
omnibus. It is very important that we preserve the natural sites but 
also the tremendous history of our country, the oil, the National 
Aviation Heritage out of Dayton. Alexander Hamilton's home and business 
are still there in the Virgin Islands Heritage Area that we are looking 
at. This is an important bill. I hope it receives unanimous support.
  Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to be here today to discuss 
Title five of H.R. 280, to establish The Arabia Mountain National 
Heritage Area. Title five is the bill I previously introduced as H.R. 
1618, which the committee agreed to incorporate into this larger bill.
  I thank Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Rahall and their staffs for 
their hard work in bringing this bill to the floor today.
  I also thank each of the cosponsors of the Arabia Mountain National 
Heritage Area Act from Georgia for their hard work in this effort. This 
has been a truly bipartisan endeavor, with 5 Democrat and 5 Republican 
cosponsors from Georgia. I'd like to particularly recognize John Linder 
for his leadership.
  The Arabia Mountain legislation will conserve and protect the 
natural, cultural, and historical resources of Georgia's granite 
outcroppings. In addition, this legislation will provide residents and 
visitors with the opportunity to preserve the wonders that Arabia 
Mountain has to offer, and we look forward to sharing its history and 
beauty with all Americans.
  The Arabia Mountain Heritage Area is a living history lesson, 
illustrating the long-standing interaction of human activity with a 
unique landscape. Incredibly, there has been human settlement in this 
location for close to 7,000 years. In that time, our relationship with 
the land has grown and evolved in various ways.
  The region encompassed within this Heritage Area is a suburb of 
Atlanta--one of the fastest growing communities in the world.
  Despite its proximity to Atlanta, one portion of the Heritage Area, 
Panola Mountain, is pristine land untouched by development. And Panola 
Mountain Conservation Park is a recognized National Landmark. The area 
features unique granite outcroppings that are more than 400 million 
years old. And Arabia Mountain itself is topped by endangered mosses 
and lichens.
  Beyond the natural beauty of the area is a rich cultural history that 
began when Native Americans lived on these lands, and one that 
continues today. Archaeological evidence indicates that Native 
Americans quarried these soapstone and granite outcroppings more than 
5,000 years ago.
  The Heritage Area also includes a nature preserve, the last farm left 
in what was once the biggest dairy farming area in the state, and 
remnants of early American developments from the days of European 
settlement.
  By connection the proposed Heritage Area's natural, cultural and 
historical resources through rivers, greenways and parks, this region 
will rapidly become a popular recreation area for residents of the fast 
growing metropolitan Atlanta area, as well as visitors from all over 
America. This unique cultural and historical haven is a place Georgians 
want to protect and will continue to enjoy.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing the important 
combination of natural, cultural and historical resources in the Arabia 
Mountain Heritage Area. I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 
280.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to support H.R. 
280, the National Aviation Heritage Area Act.
  From the very earliest times, mankind fantasized about flying. Many 
ancient cultures had their interpretation of this impossible dream, 
including the Aztecs, the Mayans, and the Native American Indians. In 
Ancient Greece, there was the story of Icarus, a man who fashioned 
wings of wax and feathers and thus could fly. During the Renaissance 
Leonardo da Vinci created highly detailed plans for flying machines.
  Although mankind remained flightless for several thousands of years, 
the dream never weakened. Finally, 100 years ago, next month, brothers, 
Orville and Wilbur Wright, who owned a bicycle repair shop in Dayton, 
Ohio built a flying machine they optimistically named the ``Flyer'' and 
Dayton became the birthplace of modern aviation.
  John Glenn and Neil Armstrong are two more fellow Ohioans, in the 
tradition of Wright Brothers, that awed and inspired us as they changed 
the world with their historic space flights--Glenn, the first American 
to orbit the Earth and Armstrong, the first to walk on another 
celestial body.
  H.R. 280 will establish a National Heritage Area within the States of 
Ohio and Indiana that will preserve our nation's aviation heritage by 
providing the means necessary to protect historic aviation sites and 
resources.
  The Dayton Aviation Heritage Commission has raised awareness and 
community support for H.R. 280. This legislation has the strong support 
of local governments and communities throughout southwest Ohio, who 
have an unwavering commitments to promoting and preserving the history 
of aviation and its Ohio roots. This bill provides us with a unique 
opportunity to expand historic aviation sites and protect an 
extraordinary piece of the world's history.
  The Members of Ohio's Congressional delegation have worked diligently 
over the years to preserve and promote Dayton's aviation history, and 
H.R. 280 is another important step. As an original co-sponsor of H.R. 
280, I am proud to offer my support of this important legislation. I 
would also like to thank Chairmen Dave Hobson and John Boehner for 
their commitment and hard worked on this issue.
  Along with the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson, the Dayton 
Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, NASA Glen Research Center 
and the National Aviation Hall of Fame, we have worked to preserve many 
of aviations historical landmarks.
  As a native of Dayton, Ohio I grew up surrounded by the history of 
aviation. As we celebrate 100 years of powered flight, it is my great 
privilege to offer my support to this important legislation to preserve 
America's aviation heritage.
  Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 280, 
the National Aviation Heritage Area Act.
  One hundred years ago, the Wright Brothers made Ohio the ``Birthplace 
of Aviation.'' It was in their bicycle shop in Dayton that the Wright 
Brothers researched and designed the first successful, heavier-than-
air, manned, powered aircraft. It was there in Dayton, on the Huffman 
Flying Prairie, where the brothers learned to fly--where they learned 
to control and maneuver their aircraft.
  Today, the tradition of the Wright Brothers lives on in the Miami 
Valley community. Engineers, scientists, and inventors continue to 
research, develop, and test the latest advances in air power at the 
Wright Patterson Air Force laboratories. At the Air Force Institute of 
Technology, they learn the technical skills to build the aircraft of 
the future. And at the United States Air Force Museum, three hangars 
attest to the commitment the community has to preserve the history of 
the Air Force and its contributions to the advancement of powered 
flight.
  In addition to the public sector efforts, the Miami Valley has been 
fortunate to have numerous dedicated individuals and private 
organizations who work to provide an educational and recreational 
preservation of the area's aviation heritage.
  In 2003, the 100th anniversary of Powered Flight, Ohioans have come 
together in unprecedented ways to celebrate, preserve, and promote the 
dream of Wilbur and Orville Wright. I can think of no better tribute to 
their efforts than to establish this heritage area, and I am proud to 
be an original co-sponsor of this bill.
  In the Miami Valley, the legacy of aviation is celebrated for its 
critical contributions to the

[[Page H11459]]

economy, to business and personal travel, and to our military. I join 
my Miami Valley colleagues, Mr. Hobson and Mr. Turner, and other Ohio 
Members in saluting our constituents' hard work in preserving a 
nationally important story, a story which captures the dreams and 
imagination of the young and old alike--the dream and the reality of 
powered flight.
  Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support 
H.R. 280. This bill would establish a National Historic Site in 
southwestern Pennsylvania to preserve parts of the former U.S. Steel 
Homestead Works and educate the public about its importance.
  The Homestead Works played an important role in America's economic 
and industrial history. It was one of the largest and most productive 
steel mills in the world 100 years ago. Assessing the historical 
significance of the Homestead Works, New York Times writer William 
Serrin observed:

       Its products helped the nation move west, shaped its 
     skyline, bridged and dammed its waters, helped make it a 
     world naval power, and helped it enter the Space Age. When 
     the mill began, the nation's population was 51.5 million, the 
     Industrial Revolution was in its infancy, and America was 
     innocent and isolated; when the mill went down, the nation's 
     population was 250 million, the Industrial Revolution--based 
     on steel--had changed America and the rest of the world 
     irrevocably, and America was the world's dominant nation in 
     every imaginable way.

  The Homestead Works and other steel mills nearby made the United 
States the economic and military superpower it is today. As a result, 
Pittsburgh is known for its steel industry around the world. I want to 
make sure this nation and the world always remember the sacrifices made 
by the workers who labored in the mills to give Pittsburgh this 
distinction.
  The history of the Homestead Works is much bigger than that of 
Pittsburgh or even southwestern Pennsylvania--it reflects national 
trends in industrial development, scientific innovation and 
technological advancement, our labor and social history, our country's 
diverse ethnic heritage, and the work ethic that characterizes this 
nation.
  The story of Homestead, its industrial and labor history, continues 
to attract worldwide interest. The most well-known incident in 
Homestead's history is the Battle of Homestead, where in 1982 steel 
workers repulsed a force of Pinkerton detectives sent in to break their 
strike. More than a hundred years later, the Battle of Homestead still 
stands as one of the most compelling stories in the long history of the 
labor movement in the United States.
  The Homestead Works' Carrie Furnaces 6 and 7 are also sites of 
national historical significance. They are rare examples of early 
production techniques and turn-of-the-century technological advances. 
These relics are the only remaining pre-World War II era blast furnaces 
left in the Pittsburgh area, and they represent some of the most 
important technological accomplishments of the American steel industry. 
I believe that our nation has an obligation to preserve these unique 
historical assets.
  For nearly a decade I have been working with the Steel Industry 
Heritage Corporation to preserve the Battle of Homestead site, Carrie 
Furnaces 6 and 7, and the history of those who toiled there. The Steel 
Industry Heritage Corporation has been successful in convincing the 
property owner, the community, and the National Park Service to support 
this initiative. The National Park Service recognizes the historical 
significance of these sites and recently recommended that they be 
preserved, in a National Historic Site, for future generations.
  The legislation before us today would create a new National Historic 
Site that would include Carrie Furnaces 6 and 7, the Hot Metal Bridge, 
the Battle of Homestead site, and other historic parts of the Borough 
of Homestead.
  Mr. Speaker, approval of this legislation today will bring us one 
step closer to the certainty that the remarkable history of the 
Homestead Works will be remembered for generations to come. I want to 
thank the Park Service for its work on this initiative, and I want to 
commend Augie Carlino, President and CEO of the Steel Industry Heritage 
Corporation, for working with me for many years to move this initiative 
forward. Finally, I want to thank Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member 
Rahall of the Resources Committee for working to bring this bill to the 
House Floor today.
  I urge my colleagues to support this very worthwhile legislation.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 280, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to 
establish certain National Heritage Areas, and for other purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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