[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S8046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. LANDRIEU:
  S. 3448. A bill to reauthorize the Cane River National Heritage Area 
Commission and expand the boundaries of the Cane River National 
Heritage Area in the State of Louisiana; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
reauthorize the Cane River National Heritage Area Commission and modify 
the boundaries of the heritage area. In 1994, Congress recognized this 
area as one of the nation's cultural and historic treasures. In the 
1700s, Creole culture flowered across the stunning landscapes of the 
Cane River, and the Creole culture continues to enliven the region to 
this day. In terms of beauty, it is not only the landscape but the 
Creole architecture from that time period that charms visitors. Today, 
the 35 mile region includes the Cane River Creole National Historical 
Park, seven national historic landmarks, three state historic sites, 
and 24 properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  Anchored by the city of Natchitoches, which traces its history to a 
French colonial settlement established in 1714 near the Natchitoches 
Indian village on the Red River, the region's colonial forts, Creole 
plantations, churches, cemeteries, archeological sites, historic 
transportation routes, and commercial centers provide a unique view 
into Louisiana's past.
  I am proud to represent the people of Louisiana by asking the 110th 
Congress to reauthorize this National Heritage Area and reaffirm the 
importance of the Cane River Creole culture as a nationally significant 
element of American heritage.
  This should not be a difficult task. Congress has once before agreed 
to establish a Cane River Creole National Historical Park to serve as 
the focus of interpretive and educational programs on the history of 
the Cane River area and to assist in the preservation of certain 
historic sites along the river. Now, I ask this Congress to do it again 
by reauthorizing the Cane River National Heritage Area.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 3448

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Cane River National Heritage 
     Area Reauthorization Act of 2008''.

     SEC. 2. CANE RIVER NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

       (a) Boundaries.--Section 401 of the Cane River Creole 
     National Historical Park and National Heritage Area Act (16 
     U.S.C. 410ccc-21) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (6); and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
       ``(4) fostering compatible economic development;
       ``(5) enhancing the quality of life for local residents; 
     and''; and
       (2) in subsection (c), by striking paragraphs (1) through 
     (6) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) the area generally depicted on the map entitled 
     `Revised Boundary of Cane National Heritage Area Louisiana', 
     numbered 494/80021, and dated May 2008;
       ``(2) the Fort Jesup State Historic Site; and
       ``(3) as satellite site, any properties connected with the 
     prehistory, history, or cultures of the Cane River region 
     that may be the subject of cooperative agreements with the 
     Cane River National Heritage Area Commission or any successor 
     to the Commission.''.
       (b) Cane River National Heritage Area Commission.--Section 
     402 of the Cane River Creole National Historical Park and 
     National Heritage Area Act (16 U.S.C. 410ccc-22) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by striking ``19'' and inserting ``23'';
       (B) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``the Natchitoches 
     Parish Tourist Commission and other'' before ``local'';
       (C) in paragraph (7), by striking ``Concern Citizens of 
     Cloutierville'' and inserting ``Village of Cloutierville'';
       (D) in paragraph (13), by striking ``are landowners in and 
     residents of'' and inserting ``own land within the heritage 
     area'';
       (E) in paragraph (16)--
       (i) by striking ``one member'' and inserting ``2 members''; 
     and
       (ii) by striking ``and'' at the end; and
       (F) by redesignating paragraph (17) as paragraph (19); and
       (G) by inserting after paragraph (16) the following:
       ``(17) 2 members, 1 of whom represents African American 
     culture and 1 of whom represents Cane River Creole culture, 
     after consideration of recommendations submitted by the 
     Governor of Louisiana;
       ``(18) 1 member with knowledge of tourism, after 
     consideration of recommendations by the Secretary of the 
     Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism; 
     and''.
       (2) in subsection (c)(4), by striking ``, such as a non-
     profit corporation,'';
       (3) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (5), by striking ``for research, historic 
     preservation, and education purposes'' and inserting ``to 
     further the purposes of title III and this title'';
       (B) in paragraph (6), by striking ``the preparation of 
     studies that identify, preserve, and plan for the management 
     of the heritage area'' and inserting ``carrying out projects 
     or programs that further the purposes of title III and this 
     title''; and
       (C) by striking paragraph (8) and inserting the following:
       ``(8) develop, or assist others in developing, projects or 
     programs to further the purposes of title III and this 
     title;''; and
       (4) in the third sentence of subsection (g), by inserting 
     ``, except that if any of the organizations specified in 
     subsection (b) ceases to exist, the vacancy shall be filled 
     with an at-large member'' after ``made''.
       (c) Preparation of the Plan.--Section 403 of the Cane River 
     Creole National Historical Park and National Heritage Area 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 410ccc-23) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(d) Amendments.--
       ``(1) In general.--An amendment to the management plan that 
     substantially alters the purposes of the heritage area shall 
     be reviewed by the Secretary and approved or disapproved in 
     the same manner as the management plan.
       ``(2) Implementation.--The local coordinating entity shall 
     not use Federal funds made available under this title to 
     implement an amendment to the management plan until the 
     Secretary approves the amendment.''.
       (d) Termination of Heritage Area Commission.--Section 404 
     of the Cane River Creole National Historical Park and 
     National Heritage Area Act (16 U.S.C. 410ccc-24) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``the day occurring 10 
     years after the first official meeting of the Commission'' 
     and inserting ``August 5, 2025''; and
       (2) in the third sentence of subsection (c), by striking 
     ``, including the potential for a nonprofit corporation,''.
                                 ______