[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 153 (Thursday, October 13, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6512-S6513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Brown of Massachusetts, Mr. Kerry, 
        and Mr. Whitehouse):
  S. 1708. A bill to establish the John H. Chafee Blackstone River 
Valley National Historical Park, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation for the 
creation of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National 
Historical Park, along with my colleagues from Rhode Island and 
Massachusetts, Senators Whitehouse, Kerry, and Scott Brown. Our 
legislation seeks to preserve the industrial heritage and natural and 
cultural resources of the Blackstone Valley, help provide economic 
development opportunities for the local economies, and build upon the 
solid foundation of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National 
Heritage Corridor.
  Samuel Slater built his mill in 1793 and started the American 
Industrial Revolution in Rhode Island along the Blackstone River. 
Today, the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage 
Corridor contains an exceptional concentration of surviving mills and 
villages that illustrate this chapter of American history.
  The Blackstone Valley is a national treasure, which also includes 
thousands of acres of beautiful, undeveloped land and waterways that 
are home to diverse wildlife.
  The extensive work of the National Park Service and the tireless 
efforts of Federal, State--both Rhode Island and Massachusetts--and 
local officials, developers, and volunteers have resulted in the 
recovery of dozens of historic villages, riverways, and rural 
landscapes throughout the Corridor. These types of economic 
redevelopment and environmental restoration efforts reflect the ongoing 
story of the Blackstone River and the valley.
  The Ashton Mill in Cumberland is one such example of local 
redevelopment. With the designation of the National Heritage Corridor, 
the cleanup of the Blackstone River, the creation of the Blackstone 
River State Park in Lincoln, Rhode Island, and the construction of the 
Blackstone River Bikeway, the property was restored for adaptive reuse 
as rental apartments. Once again the mill and its village are a vital 
part of the greater Blackstone Valley community.
  Great progress has also been made in restoring the environmental 
resources of the river valley. As a result, people are once again 
enjoying the river, whether in kayaks or canoes, or through other 
means. I have been pleased over the years to help support the 
preservation and renewed development of the Blackstone River Valley.
  In 2005, I cosponsored legislation introduced by my then-colleague 
Senator Lincoln Chafee to conduct a Special Resource Study of the 
Corridor to determine which areas within the Corridor were nationally 
significant and whether they were suitable to become part of the 
National Park Service. When it was released this July, the study 
recommended the creation of a new national historic park whose 
boundaries would encompass both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, 
including the Blackstone River and its tributaries; the Blackstone 
Canal; the historic districts of Old Slater Mill in Pawtucket; the 
villages of Slatersville and Ashton in Rhode Island; and the villages 
of Whitinsville and Hopedale in Massachusetts.
  The partnership park described in the Special Resource Study clearly 
stated the importance of the rural and urban areas, the landscape, and 
the river in telling the story of the Blackstone River Valley.
  It will build upon the solid foundation of the John H. Chafee 
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and the workers and 
volunteers in all the surrounding communities, in restoring the 
Corridor.
  Designating these areas as a national historical park has important 
economic, environmental, historical, and educational benefits for the 
region. This is a two state initiative, and truly a national 
initiative, that will embrace both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and 
ensure the preservation of the industrial and natural heritage of the 
Blackstone River Valley for future generations to enjoy.
  Establishing a national park will provide opportunities for work, 
opportunities for recreation, and opportunities to boost economic 
development, while memorializing the history of this place and its role 
in the American Industrial Revolution.
  The partnerships between the federal, state, local, and private 
organizations have a proven track record of success with the Corridor, 
and I expect that the communities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts 
that have been engaged on this endeavor for many years will continue to 
partner with the National Park Service going forward.
  Creating a national historic park sets a clear path to preserve our 
cultural heritage, improve the use and enjoyment of these resources, 
including offering outdoor education for young people, and increase the 
level of protection for our most important and nationally significant 
cultural and natural resources.
  I have been proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation in honor 
of my late-colleague John H. Chafee, who years ago had a great vision, 
shared with many others in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, to preserve 
and protect the Blackstone Valley.
  I look forward to working with all of my colleagues to create the 
John H.

[[Page S6513]]

Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park.
  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. 1708

       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 ``John H. Chafee Blackstone 
     River Valley National Historical Park Establishment Act''.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

       The purpose of this Act is to establish the John H. Chafee 
     Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park--
       (1) to help preserve, protect, and interpret the nationally 
     significant resources in the Blackstone River Valley that 
     exemplify the industrial heritage of the John H. Chafee 
     Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor for the 
     benefit and inspiration of future generations;
       (2) to support the preservation, protection, and 
     interpretation of the urban, rural, and agricultural 
     landscape features (including the Blackstone River and Canal) 
     of the region that provide an overarching context for the 
     industrial heritage of the National Heritage Corridor;
       (3) to educate the public about--
       (A) the industrial history of the National Heritage 
     Corridor; and
       (B) the significance of the National Heritage Corridor to 
     the past and present; and
       (4) to support and enhance the network of partners who will 
     continue to engage in the protection, improvement, 
     management, and operation of key resources and facilities 
     throughout the National Heritage Corridor.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled ``John H. 
     Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park'', 
     numbered NEFA962/111015, and dated October 2011.
       (2) National heritage corridor.--The term ``National 
     Heritage Corridor'' means the John H. Chafee Blackstone River 
     Valley National Heritage Corridor.
       (3) Park.--The term ``Park'' means the John H. Chafee 
     Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park established 
     under section 4.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National 
     Park Service.
       (5) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the States of 
     Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

     SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF JOHN H. CHAFEE BLACKSTONE RIVER 
                   VALLEY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established in the States a 
     unit of the National Park System, to be known as the ``John 
     H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park''.
       (b) Boundaries.--The Park shall be comprised of the 
     following sites and districts, as generally depicted on the 
     map:
       (1) Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark District.
       (2) Slatersville Historic District.
       (3) Ashton Historic District.
       (4) Whitinsville Historic District.
       (5) Hopedale Village Historic District.
       (6) Blackstone River and the tributaries of Blackstone 
     River.
       (7) Blackstone Canal.
       (c) Availability of Map.--The map shall be available for 
     public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National 
     Park Service.
       (d) Acquisition of Land.--The Secretary may acquire land or 
     interests in land within the boundaries of the Park by--
       (1) donation;
       (2) purchase with donated or appropriated funds; or
       (3) exchange.
       (e) Administration.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall administer the Park in 
     accordance with--
       (A) this Act;
       (B) the laws generally applicable to units of the National 
     Park System, including--
       (i) the National Park Service Organic Act (16 U.S.C. 1 et 
     seq.); and
       (ii) the Act of August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.); 
     and
       (C) any cooperative agreements entered into under 
     subsection (f).
       (2) General management plan.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date on 
     which funds are made available to carry out this Act, the 
     Secretary shall prepare a general management plan for the 
     Park--
       (i) in consultation with the States; and
       (ii) in accordance with--

       (I) any cooperative agreements entered into under 
     subsection (f); and
       (II) section 12(b) of the National Park System General 
     Authorities Act (16 U.S.C. 1a-7(b)).

       (B) Requirements.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
     plan prepared under subparagraph (A) shall consider ways to 
     use preexisting or planned visitor facilities and 
     recreational opportunities developed in the National Heritage 
     Corridor, including--
       (i) the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in Pawtucket, 
     Rhode Island;
       (ii) the Captain Wilbur Kelly House at Blackstone River 
     State Park in Lincoln, Rhode Island;
       (iii) the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket, Rhode 
     Island;
       (iv) the River Bend Farm/Blackstone River and Canal 
     Heritage State Park in Uxbridge, Massachusetts; and
       (v) the Worcester Blackstone Visitor Center, located at the 
     former Washburn & Moen wire mill facility in Worcester, 
     Massachusetts.
       (f) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into 
     cooperative agreements with the States, political 
     subdivisions of the States, nonprofit organizations 
     (including the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage 
     Corridor, Inc.), and private property owners to provide 
     technical assistance and interpretation in the Park and the 
     National Heritage Corridor.
       (g) Financial Assistance.--Subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, the Secretary may provide financial 
     assistance, on a matching basis, for the conduct of resource 
     protection activities in the National Heritage Corridor.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
     necessary to carry out this Act.
                                 ______