[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 194 (Thursday, December 5, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. McCONNELL:
  S. 2985. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct 
a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating 
certain land in the State of Kentucky as the Kentucky Wildlands 
National Heritage Area, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. McCONNELL. 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. 2985

       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 ``Kentucky Wildlands National 
     Heritage Area Study Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the 
     Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Kentucky.
       (4) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means--
       (A) Adair, Bath, Bell, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, 
     Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Elliott, Floyd, Green, Harlan, 
     Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, 
     Letcher, Lincoln, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, 
     Metcalfe, Monroe, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Pulaski, 
     Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Wayne, Whitley, and Wolfe 
     Counties in the State; and
       (B) any other areas in the State that--
       (i) have heritage aspects that are similar to the heritage 
     aspects of the areas described in subparagraph (A); and
       (ii) are adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, the areas 
     described in that subparagraph.

     SEC. 3. STUDY.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with State 
     and local historic preservation officers, State and local 
     historical societies, State and local tourism offices, and 
     other appropriate organizations and governmental agencies, 
     shall conduct a study to assess the suitability and 
     feasibility of designating the study area as a National 
     Heritage Area, to be known as the ``Kentucky Wildlands 
     National Heritage Area''.
       (b) Requirements.--The study shall include analysis, 
     documentation, and determinations on whether the study area--
       (1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural 
     resources that--
       (A) represent distinctive aspects of the heritage of the 
     United States;
       (B) are worthy of recognition, conservation, 
     interpretation, and continuing use; and
       (C) would be best managed--
       (i) through partnerships among public and private entities; 
     and
       (ii) by linking diverse and sometimes noncontiguous 
     resources and active communities;
       (2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife 
     that are a valuable part of the story of the United States;
       (3) provides outstanding opportunities--
       (A) to conserve natural, historic, cultural, or scenic 
     features; and
       (B) for recreation and education;
       (4) contains resources that--
       (A) are important to any identified themes of the study 
     area; and
       (B) retain a degree of integrity capable of supporting 
     interpretation;
       (5) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit 
     organizations, and State and local governments that--
       (A) are involved in the planning of the Heritage Area;
       (B) have developed a conceptual financial plan that 
     outlines the roles of all participants in the Heritage Area, 
     including the Federal Government; and
       (C) have demonstrated support for the designation of the 
     Heritage Area;
       (6) has a potential management entity to work in 
     partnership with the individuals and entities described in 
     paragraph (5) to develop the Heritage Area while encouraging 
     State and local economic activity;
       (7) could impact the rights of private property owners with 
     respect to private property; and
       (8) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the 
     public.

     SEC. 4. REPORT.

       Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are 
     first made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary 
     shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
     of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
     House of Representatives a report that describes--
       (1) the findings of the study under section 3; and
       (2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.
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