[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 92 (Tuesday, June 5, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H4750-H4752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUSQUEHANNA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 2991) to establish the Susquehanna National Heritage
Area in the State of Pennsylvania, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2991
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 ``Susquehanna National
Heritage Area Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the
Susquehanna National Heritage Area established by section
3(a).
(2) Local coordinating entity.--The term ``local
coordinating entity'' means the local coordinating entity for
the Heritage Area designated by section 4(a).
(3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means
the plan developed by the local coordinating entity under
section 5(a).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(5) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of
Pennsylvania.
SEC. 3. SUSQUEHANNA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.
(a) Establishment.--There is established the Susquehanna
National Heritage Area in the State.
(b) Boundaries.--The Heritage Area shall include Lancaster
and York Counties, Pennsylvania.
SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.
(a) Local Coordinating Entity.--The Susquehanna Heritage
Corporation, a nonprofit organization established under the
laws of the State, shall be the local coordinating entity for
the Heritage Area.
(b) Authorities of Local Coordinating Entity.--The local
coordinating entity may, for purposes of preparing and
implementing the management plan--
(1) prepare reports, studies, interpretive exhibits and
programs, historic preservation projects, and other
activities recommended in the management plan for the
Heritage Area;
(2) make grants to the State, political subdivisions of the
State, nonprofit organizations, and other persons;
(3) enter into cooperative agreements with the State,
political subdivisions of the State, nonprofit organizations,
and other organizations;
(4) hire and compensate staff;
(5) obtain funds or services from any source, including
funds and services provided under any Federal program or law,
in which case the Federal share of the cost of any activity
assisted using Federal funds provided for National Heritage
Areas shall not be more than 50 percent; and
(6) contract for goods and services.
(c) Duties of Local Coordinating Entity.--To further the
purposes of the Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity
shall--
(1) prepare a management plan for the Heritage Area in
accordance with section 5;
(2) give priority to the implementation of actions, goals,
and strategies set forth in the management plan, including
assisting units of government and other persons in--
(A) carrying out programs and projects that recognize and
protect important resource values in the Heritage Area;
(B) encouraging economic viability in the Heritage Area in
accordance with the goals of the management plan;
(C) establishing and maintaining interpretive exhibits in
the Heritage Area;
(D) developing heritage-based recreational and educational
opportunities for residents and visitors in the Heritage
Area;
(E) increasing public awareness of and appreciation for the
natural, historic, and cultural resources of the Heritage
Area;
(F) restoring historic buildings that are--
(i) located in the Heritage Area; and
(ii) related to the themes of the Heritage Area; and
(G) installing throughout the Heritage Area clear,
consistent, and appropriate signs identifying public access
points and sites of interest;
(3) consider the interests of diverse units of government,
businesses, tourism officials, private property owners, and
nonprofit groups within the Heritage Area in developing and
implementing the management plan;
(4) conduct public meetings at least semiannually regarding
the development and implementation of the management plan;
and
(5) for any fiscal year for which Federal funds provided
for National Heritage Areas are expended for the Heritage
Area--
(A) submit to the Secretary an annual report that
describes--
(i) the accomplishments of the local coordinating entity;
(ii) the expenses and income of the local coordinating
entity; and
(iii) the entities to which the local coordinating entity
made any grants;
(B) make available for audit all records relating to the
expenditure of the Federal funds and any matching funds; and
(C) require, with respect to all agreements authorizing the
expenditure of Federal funds by other organizations, that the
receiving organizations make available for audit all records
relating to the expenditure of the Federal funds.
(d) Prohibition on Acquisition of Real Property.--
(1) In general.--The local coordinating entity shall not
use Federal funds provided for National Heritage Areas to
acquire real property or any interest in real property.
(2) Other sources.--Nothing in this Act precludes the local
coordinating entity from using funds from other sources for
authorized purposes, including the acquisition of real
property or any interest in real property.
SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN.
(a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date on
which funds are first made available to carry out this Act,
the local coordinating entity shall prepare and submit to the
Secretary a management plan for the Heritage Area.
(b) Contents.--The management plan for the Heritage Area
shall--
(1) include comprehensive policies, strategies, and
recommendations for the conservation, funding, management,
and development of the Heritage Area;
(2) include a description of actions and commitments that
governments, private organizations, and citizens will take to
protect, enhance, and interpret the natural, historic,
scenic, and cultural resources of the Heritage Area;
(3) describe a program of implementation for the management
plan that includes--
(A) performance goals and ongoing performance evaluation;
(B) plans for resource protection, enhancement and
interpretation; and
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(C) specific commitments for implementation that have been
made by the local coordinating entity or any government,
organization, business or individual;
(4) include an interpretative plan for the Heritage Area;
(5) take into consideration existing State, county, and
local plans;
(6) specify the existing and potential sources of funding
to protect, manage, and develop the Heritage Area;
(7) include an inventory of the natural, historic,
cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of
the Heritage Area relating to the themes of the Heritage Area
that should be preserved, restored, managed, developed, or
maintained; and
(8) include an analysis of, and recommendations for, ways
in which Federal, State, and local programs, may best be
coordinated to further the purposes of this Act, including
recommendations for the role of the National Park Service in
the Heritage Area.
(c) Approval and Disapproval of Management Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date on
which the local coordinating entity submits the management
plan to the Secretary, the Secretary shall approve or
disapprove the proposed management plan.
(2) Considerations.--In determining whether to approve or
disapprove the management plan, the Secretary shall consider
whether--
(A) the local coordinating 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 local coordinating entity has provided adequate
opportunities (including public meetings) 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, historic, and cultural
resources of the Heritage Area; and
(D) the management plan is supported by the appropriate
State and local officials, the cooperation of which is needed
to ensure the effective implementation of the State and local
aspects of the management plan.
(3) Disapproval and revisions.--
(A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves a proposed
management plan, the Secretary shall--
(i) advise the local coordinating entity, in writing, of
the reasons for the disapproval; and
(ii) make recommendations for revision of the proposed
management plan.
(B) Approval or disapproval.--The Secretary shall approve
or disapprove a revised management plan not later than 180
days after the date on which the revised management plan is
submitted.
(d) Approval of Amendments.--The Secretary shall review and
approve or disapprove substantial amendments to the
management plan in accordance with subsection (c).
SEC. 6. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.
(a) In General.--Nothing in this Act affects the authority
of a Federal agency to provide technical or financial
assistance under any other law.
(b) Consultation and Coordination.--The head of any Federal
agency planning to conduct activities that may have an impact
on the Heritage Area is encouraged to consult and coordinate
the activities with the Secretary and the local coordinating
entity to the extent practicable.
(c) Other Federal Agencies.--Nothing in this Act--
(1) modifies, alters, or amends any law or regulation
authorizing a Federal agency to manage Federal land under the
jurisdiction of the Federal agency;
(2) limits the discretion of a Federal land manager to
implement an approved land use plan within the boundaries of
the Heritage Area; or
(3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized use of
Federal land under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency.
SEC. 7. PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REGULATORY PROTECTIONS.
Nothing in this Act--
(1) abridges the rights of any property owner (whether
public or private), including the right to refrain from
participating in any plan, project, program, or activity
conducted within the Heritage Area;
(2) requires any property owner to permit public access
(including access by Federal, State, or local agencies) to
the property of the property owner, or to modify public
access or use of property of the property owner under any
other Federal, State, or local law;
(3) alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved
land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal,
State, or local agency, or conveys any land use or other
regulatory authority to the local coordinating entity;
(4) authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation
of water or water rights;
(5) affects the licensing or relicensing of facilities by
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission within the proposed
Heritage Area or upstream or downstream from the proposed
Heritage Area on the Susquehanna River, including FERC
Project No. 405-104;
(6) diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish
and wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting
within the Heritage Area; or
(7) creates any liability, or affects any liability under
any other law, of any private property owner with respect to
any person injured on the private property.
SEC. 8. EVALUATION; REPORT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 3 years before the date
specified under section 9, the Secretary shall--
(1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of the
Heritage Area; and
(2) prepare a report in accordance with subsection (c).
(b) Evaluation.--An evaluation conducted under subsection
(a)(1) shall--
(1) assess the progress of the local coordinating entity
with respect to--
(A) accomplishing the purposes of this Act for the Heritage
Area; and
(B) achieving the goals and objectives of the approved
management plan for the Heritage Area;
(2) analyze the Federal, State, local, and private
investments in the Heritage Area to determine the leverage
and impact of the investments; and
(3) review the management structure, partnership
relationships, and funding of the Heritage Area for purposes
of identifying the critical components for sustainability of
the Heritage Area.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Based on the evaluation conducted under
subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall prepare a report that
includes recommendations for the future role of the National
Park Service, if any, with respect to the Heritage Area.
(2) Submission to congress.--On completion of the report,
the Secretary shall submit the report to--
(A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives.
SEC. 9. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.
The authority of the Secretary to provide assistance under
this Act terminates on the date that is 15 years after the
date of enactment of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Bishop) and the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands
(Mr. Sablan) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah.
General Leave
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. 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 Utah?
There was no objection.
{time} 1700
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume
to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Smucker), the author of this
particular bill.
Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding, but,
more importantly, for moving this bill through committee and allowing
it to be brought up for a vote today on the floor.
I rise today as the lead sponsor of H.R. 2991, the Susquehanna
National Heritage Area Act. I am glad the House is taking up this
important bill with bipartisan support from the Pennsylvania
delegation.
The concept of the bill is simple. It would make two counties in
Pennsylvania, Lancaster and York Counties, both located in south
central Pennsylvania, a national heritage area.
National heritage areas are a congressional designation where
``natural, cultural, historic, and recreational resources form a
cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape arising from human activity
shaped by geography,'' which describes this area very well. According
to the National Park Service, there are currently 49 national heritage
areas in 32 States.
I am very proud of the natural beauty that we find in our
Pennsylvania communities, particularly in these two counties. We want
to ensure we maintain that safe and clean environment into the future
for residents and visitors.
The Susquehanna River and its surrounding landscape have played a
starring role in American history. Our region's heritage reflects
events and causes that exemplify the American experience, many flowing
from the central historical role of the river.
Along the Susquehanna, a tradition of public and private
collaboration has
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helped our region prosper from heritage and outdoor tourism, and this
national heritage area designation will attract more visitors,
stimulate our local economy, and preserve natural resources and
historical landmarks.
I want to thank the countless local officials and Members of Congress
who have worked on this legislation for many years. Without their
tireless work and the sustained input and support from the residents of
York and Lancaster Counties, we would not be here right now. This was a
bottom-up effort led by grassroots support from these communities.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a list of the dozens of local
organizations that support this legislation.
The following local organizations support the Susquehanna
National Heritage Area Act:
Amishview Inn & Suites/Miller's Smorgasbord/Plain & Fancy
Farm; Borough of Columbia; Bube's Brewery; Colony Packaging &
Machine; Downtown Inc.; Discover Lancaster; Farm & Natural
Lands Trust of York County; Historic Preservation Trust of
Lancaster County; Historic York, Inc.; Lancaster Chamber of
Commerce & Industry; Lancaster County Board of Commissioners;
Lancaster County Conservancy; Lancaster County Parks &
Recreation; Lancaster County Planning Commission; Lancaster
Farmland Trust; Landis Valley Museum.
LancasterHistory.org; Long Level Marina; Northern York
County Historical & Preservation Society; PPL Corporation;
Pennsylvania State Grange; Preservation Pennsylvania;
Rivertownes PA USA; Shank's Mare Outfitters; Susquehanna
Glass; Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce; York County
Board of Commissioners; York County Convention & Visitors
Bureau; York County Department of Parks & Recreation; York
County Economic Alliance; York County History Center.
Mr. SMUCKER. Again, I urge passage of H.R. 2991.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I support this bill to establish the Susquehanna
National Heritage Area in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Seen as ``a new kind of national park'' that leverages public-private
partnerships with a focus on regional economic development, the first
national heritage area was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan
in 1984. Since then, Congress has authorized many successful heritage
areas throughout the country, and this model makes a lot of sense for
certain regions. However, it has been a while since the House passed a
standalone bill to establish a new national heritage area, so this is
an encouraging sign.
We appreciate the renewed interest in national heritage areas,
particularly since some of my fellow Democratic colleagues have
introduced heritage area proposals. We are eager to bring those
proposals forward as well.
That said, this is a good bill, and I encourage my colleagues to
support its adoption. The communities of Lancaster and York Counties
have clearly demonstrated that their region deserves recognition as a
national heritage area. I would like to congratulate Representative
Smucker for his leadership on this proposal and Chairman Bishop for
guiding this bill to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I am in favor of this particular bill. Heritage areas have been, for
us, somewhat problematic in the past. There have been some of those who
have looked simply on the Federal Government as a deep pocket to be
robbed and used year after year after year. Some of them have ignored
private property rights. Some of them have actually superseded legal
governments' prerogatives and initiatives.
In each of these areas, Mr. Smucker has done an incredibly good job
to make sure those problems will not exist. The idea of simply being a
funnel for money is not necessarily a part of this particular bill, and
he has specifically included the rights of property protection in this
bill.
What Mr. Smucker has done here is a national heritage area done the
right way for the right purpose and the right intent, and I hope,
because of the way he has done that, it will not tend to be a problem
in the future as heritage areas are re-looked at and renewed at some
particular point. I want to commend him not only for taking up the
specific issue that is important to his area, but for doing it the
right way. That is why I am very happy to support this particular piece
of legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, again, I encourage support for this bill,
and having no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I ask my fellow Members to vote
``yes'' on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Collins of New York). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2991, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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