[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[House]
[Pages 28191-28218]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   CELEBRATING AMERICA'S HERITAGE ACT

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 765, I call up 
the bill (H.R. 1483) to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands 
Management Act of 1996 to extend the authorization for certain national 
heritage areas, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate 
consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

[[Page 28192]]



                               H.R. 1483

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

     SECTION 1. EXTENSIONS AND TECHNICAL CHANGES.

       (a) In General.--Division II of the Omnibus Parks and 
     Public Lands Management Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-333; 16 
     U.S.C. 461 note) is amended--
       (1) in each of sections 107, 208, 310, 408, 507, 607, 707, 
     811, and 910, by striking ``September 30, 2012'' and 
     inserting ``September 30, 2027''; and
       (2) in each of sections 108(a), 209(a), 311(a), 409(a), 
     508(a), 608(a), 708(a), 812(a), and 909(c), by striking 
     ``$10,000,000'' and inserting ``$20,000,000''.
       (b) Ohio & Erie National Heritage Canalway.--Title VIII of 
     Division II of the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management 
     Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-333; 110 Stat. 4267, 114 Stat. 
     31) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Canal National Heritage Corridor'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``National Heritage 
     Canalway'';
       (2) in section 803--
       (A) by striking paragraph paragraph (2);
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7) 
     as paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6), respectively;
       (C) in paragraph (2) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)), 
     by striking ``808'' and inserting ``806''; and
       (D) in paragraph (6) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)), 
     by striking ``807(a)'' and inserting ``805(a)'';
       (3) in the second sentence of section 804(b)(1), by 
     striking ``808'' and inserting ``806'';
       (4) by striking sections 805 and 806;
       (5) by redesignating sections 807, 808, 809, 810, 811, and 
     812 as sections 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, and 810, 
     respectively;
       (6) in section 805(c)(2) (as redesignated by paragraph 
     (5)), by striking ``808'' and inserting ``806'';
       (7) in section 806 (as redesignated by paragraph (5))--
       (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``Committee'' and 
     inserting ``Secretary'';
       (B) in subsection (a)(3)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``from the 
     Committee''; and
       (ii) in the first sentence of subparagraph (B), by striking 
     ``Committee'' and inserting ``management entity'';
       (C) in subsection (e), by striking ``807(d)(1)'' and 
     inserting ``805(d)(1)''; and
       (D) in subsection (f), by striking ``807(d)(1)'' and 
     inserting ``805(d)(1)'';
       (8) in section 808 (as redesignated by paragraph (5))--
       (A) in subsection (b), by striking ``Committee or''; and
       (B) in subsection (c) in the matter before paragraph (1), 
     by striking ``Committee'' and inserting ``management 
     entity''.
       (c) National Coal Heritage Area Amendments.--Title I of 
     Division II of the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management 
     Act of 1996 is amended as follows:
       (1) In section 103(b)--
       (A) by striking ``comprised of the counties'' and inserting 
     ``shall be comprised of the following:
       ``(1) The counties''; and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) (as so designated by 
     paragraph (1) of this subsection) the following new 
     paragraphs:
       ``(2) Lincoln County, West Virginia.
       ``(3) Paint Creek and Cabin Creek within Kanawha County, 
     West Virginia.''.
       (2) In section 104, by striking ``Governor'' and all that 
     follows through ``organizations'' and inserting ``National 
     Coal Heritage Area Authority, a public corporation and 
     government instrumentality established by the State of West 
     Virginia, pursuant to which the Secretary shall assist the 
     National Coal Heritage Area Authority''.
       (3) In section 105--
       (A) by striking ``paragraphs (2) and (5) of''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following: ``Resources within 
     Lincoln County, West Virginia, and Paint Creek and Cabin 
     Creek within Kanawha County, West Virginia, shall also be 
     eligible for assistance as determined by the National Coal 
     Heritage Area Authority.''.
       (4) In section 106--
       (A) by striking ``Governor'' and all that follows through 
     ``and Parks'' and inserting ``National Coal Heritage Area 
     Authority''; and
       (B) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``State of West 
     Virginia'' and all that follows through ``entities'' and 
     inserting ``National Coal Heritage Area Authority''.
       (d) Continuation of Agreement.--The contractual agreement 
     entered into by the Secretary of the Interior and the 
     Governor of West Virginia prior to the date of enactment of 
     this Act pursuant to section 104 of title I of Division II of 
     the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 
     shall be deemed as continuing in effect except that such 
     agreement shall be between the Secretary and the National 
     Coal Heritage Area Authority.
       (e) South Carolina Heritage Area Amendment.--Section 
     604(b)(2) of title VI of Division II of the Omnibus Parks and 
     Public Lands Management Act of 1996 is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(O) Berkeley County.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pastor). Pursuant to House Resolution 
765, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the bill, 
modified by the amendment printed in House Report 110-405, is adopted, 
and the bill, as amended, is considered read.
  The text of the bill, as amended, is as follows:

                               H.R. 1483

       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 ``Celebrating America's 
     Heritage Act''.

     SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       The table of contents is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.

        TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION EXTENSIONS AND VIABILITY STUDIES

Sec. 1001. Extensions of authorized appropriations.
Sec. 1002. Evaluation and report.

           TITLE II--ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL HERITAGE AREAS

   Subtitle A--Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area

Sec. 2001. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2002. Purposes.
Sec. 2003. Definitions.
Sec. 2004. Designation of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National 
              Heritage Area.
Sec. 2005. Management plan.
Sec. 2006. Evaluation; report.
Sec. 2007. Local coordinating entity.
Sec. 2008. Relationship to other Federal agencies.
Sec. 2009. Private property and regulatory protections.
Sec. 2010. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 2011. Use of Federal funds from other sources.
Sec. 2012. Sunset for grants and other assistance.

            Subtitle B--Niagara Falls National Heritage Area

Sec. 2021. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2022. Purposes.
Sec. 2023. Definitions.
Sec. 2024. Designation of the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area.
Sec. 2025. Management plan.
Sec. 2026. Evaluation; report.
Sec. 2027. Local coordinating entity.
Sec. 2028. Niagara Falls Heritage Area Commission.
Sec. 2029. Relationship to other Federal agencies.
Sec. 2030. Private property and regulatory protections.
Sec. 2031. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 2032. Use of Federal funds from other sources.
Sec. 2033. Sunset for grants and other assistance.

            Subtitle C--Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area

Sec. 2041. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2042. Purposes.
Sec. 2043. Definitions.
Sec. 2044. Designation of Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area.
Sec. 2045. Management plan.
Sec. 2046. Evaluation; report.
Sec. 2047. Local coordinating entity.
Sec. 2048. Relationship to other Federal agencies.
Sec. 2049. Private property and regulatory protections.
Sec. 2050. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 2051. Use of Federal funds from other sources.
Sec. 2052. Sunset for grants and other assistance.

            Subtitle D--Freedom's Way National Heritage Area

Sec. 2061. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2062. Purposes.
Sec. 2063. Definitions.
Sec. 2064. Designation of Freedom's Way National Heritage Area.
Sec. 2065. Management plan.
Sec. 2066. Evaluation; report.
Sec. 2067. Local coordinating entity.
Sec. 2068. Relationship to other Federal agencies.
Sec. 2069. Private property and regulatory protections.
Sec. 2070. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 2071. Use of Federal funds from other sources.
Sec. 2072. Sunset for grants and other assistance.

           Subtitle E--Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area

Sec. 2081. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2082. Purposes.
Sec. 2083. Definitions.
Sec. 2084. Designation of Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.
Sec. 2085. Management plan.
Sec. 2086. Evaluation; report.
Sec. 2087. Local coordinating entity.
Sec. 2088. Relationship to other Federal agencies.
Sec. 2089. Private property and regulatory protections.

[[Page 28193]]

Sec. 2090. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 2091. Use of Federal funds from other sources.
Sec. 2092. Sunset for grants and other assistance.

          Subtitle F--Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

Sec. 2111. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2112. Purposes.
Sec. 2113. Definitions.
Sec. 2114. Designation of Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area.
Sec. 2115. Management plan.
Sec. 2116. Evaluation; report.
Sec. 2117. Local coordinating entity.
Sec. 2118. Relationship to other Federal agencies.
Sec. 2119. Private property and regulatory protections.
Sec. 2120. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 2121. Use of Federal funds from other sources.
Sec. 2122. Sunset for grants and other assistance.

                            TITLE III--STUDY

Sec. 3001. Study and report of proposed Northern Neck National Heritage 
              Area.

             TITLE IV--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS

Sec. 4001. National Coal Heritage Area technical corrections.
Sec. 4002. Rivers of steel national heritage area addition.
Sec. 4003. South Carolina National Heritage Corridor addition.
Sec. 4004. Ohio and Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor technical 
              corrections.
Sec. 4005. New Jersey Coastal Heritage trail route extension of 
              authorization.
Sec. 4006. Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor technical 
              corrections.

              TITLE V--SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING FUNDING

Sec. 5001. Sense of Congress Regarding Funding.

        TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION EXTENSIONS AND VIABILITY STUDIES

     SEC. 1001. EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORIZED APPROPRIATIONS.

       Division II of the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands 
     Management Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-333; 16 U.S.C. 461 
     note) is amended in each of sections 108(a), 209(a), 311(a), 
     409(a), 508(a), 608(a), 708(a), 810(a) (as redesignated by 
     this Act), and 909(c), by striking ``$10,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$15,000,000''.

     SEC. 1002. EVALUATION AND REPORT.

       (a) In General.--For the nine National Heritage Areas 
     authorized in Division II of the Omnibus Parks and Public 
     Lands Management Act of 1996, not later than 3 years before 
     the date on which authority for Federal funding terminates 
     for each National Heritage Area, the Secretary shall--
       (1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of the 
     National 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 management entity with 
     respect to--
       (A) accomplishing the purposes of the authorizing 
     legislation for the National Heritage Area; and
       (B) achieving the goals and objectives of the approved 
     management plan for the National Heritage Area;
       (2) analyze the investments of Federal, State, Tribal, and 
     local government and private entities in each National 
     Heritage Area to determine the impact of the investments; and
       (3) review the management structure, partnership 
     relationships, and funding of the National Heritage Area for 
     purposes of identifying the critical components for 
     sustainability of the National Heritage Area.
       (c) Report.--Based on the evaluation conducted under 
     subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall submit a report to the 
     Committee on Natural Resources of the United States House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate. The report shall include 
     recommendations for the future role of the National Park 
     Service, if any, with respect to the National Heritage Area.

           TITLE II--ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL HERITAGE AREAS

   Subtitle A--Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area

     SEC. 2001. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the 
     ``Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area 
     Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this 
     subtitle is as follows:

Sec. 2001. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2002. Purposes.
Sec. 2003. Definitions.
Sec. 2004. Designation of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National 
              Heritage Area.
Sec. 2005. Management plan.
Sec. 2006. Evaluation; report.
Sec. 2007. Local coordinating entity.
Sec. 2008. Relationship to other Federal agencies.
Sec. 2009. Private property and regulatory protections.
Sec. 2010. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 2011. Use of Federal funds from other sources.
Sec. 2012. Sunset for grants and other assistance.

     SEC. 2002. PURPOSES.

       (a) The purposes of this subtitle include--
       (1) to recognize the national importance of the natural and 
     cultural legacies of the area, as demonstrated in the study 
     entitled ``The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National 
     Heritage Area Feasibility Study'' dated September 2006;
       (2) to preserve, support, conserve, and interpret the 
     legacy of the American history created along the National 
     Heritage Area;
       (3) to promote heritage, cultural and recreational tourism 
     and to develop educational and cultural programs for visitors 
     and the general public;
       (4) to recognize and interpret important events and 
     geographic locations representing key developments in the 
     creation of America, including Native American, Colonial 
     American, European American, and African American heritage;
       (5) to recognize and interpret the effect of the Civil War 
     on the civilian population of the National Heritage Area 
     during the war and post-war reconstruction period;
       (6) to enhance a cooperative management framework to assist 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, the 
     Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State of West Virginia, and 
     their units of local government, the private sector, and 
     citizens residing in the National Heritage Area in 
     conserving, supporting, enhancing, and interpreting the 
     significant historic, cultural and recreational sites in the 
     National Heritage Area; and
       (7) to provide appropriate linkages among units of the 
     National Park System within and surrounding the National 
     Heritage Area, to protect, enhance, and interpret resources 
     outside of park boundaries.

     SEC. 2003. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle--
       (1) National heritage area.--The term ``National Heritage 
     Area'' means the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National 
     Heritage Area established in this subtitle.
       (2) Local coordinating entity.--The term ``local 
     coordinating entity'' means the Journey Through Hallowed 
     Ground Partnership, a Virginia non-profit, which is hereby 
     designated by Congress--
       (A) to develop, in partnership with others, the management 
     plan for the National Heritage Area; and
       (B) to act as a catalyst for the implementation of projects 
     and programs among diverse partners in the National Heritage 
     Area.
       (3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means 
     the plan prepared by the local coordinating entity for the 
     National Heritage Area that specifies actions, policies, 
     strategies, performance goals, and recommendations to meet 
     the goals of the National Heritage Area, in accordance with 
     this subtitle.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 2004. DESIGNATION OF THE JOURNEY THROUGH HALLOWED GROUND 
                   NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

       (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Journey 
     Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area.
       (b) Boundaries.--
       (1) In general.--The Heritage Area shall consist of the 
     175-mile region generally following the Route 15 corridor and 
     surrounding areas from Adams County, Pennsylvania, through 
     Frederick County, Maryland, including the Heart of the Civil 
     War Maryland State Heritage Area, looping through Brunswick, 
     Maryland, to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, back through 
     Loudoun County, Virginia, to the Route 15 corridor and 
     surrounding areas encompassing portions of Loudoun and Prince 
     William Counties, Virginia, then Fauquier County, Virginia, 
     portions of Spotsylvania and Madison Counties, Virginia, and 
     Culpepper, Rappahannock, Orange, and Albemarle Counties, 
     Virginia.
       (2) Map.--The boundaries of the National Heritage Area 
     shall include all of those lands and interests as generally 
     depicted on the map titled ``Journey Through Hallowed Ground 
     National Heritage Area'', numbered P90/80,000, and dated 
     October 2006. The map shall be on file and available to the 
     public in the appropriate offices of the National Park 
     Service and the local coordinating entity.

     SEC. 2005. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

       (a) Requirements.--The management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area shall--
       (1) describe comprehensive policies, goals, strategies, and 
     recommendations for telling the story of the heritage of the 
     area covered by the National Heritage Area and encouraging 
     long-term resource protection, enhancement, interpretation, 
     funding, management, and development of the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (2) include a description of actions and commitments that 
     Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, private 
     organizations, and citizens will take to protect, enhance, 
     interpret, fund, manage, and develop the natural, historical, 
     cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of 
     the National Heritage Area;
       (3) specify existing and potential sources of funding or 
     economic development strategies to protect, enhance, 
     interpret, fund, manage, and develop the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (4) include an inventory of the natural, historical, 
     cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of 
     the National Heritage Area related to the national importance 
     and themes of the National Heritage Area that should be 
     protected, enhanced, interpreted, managed, funded, and 
     developed;
       (5) recommend policies and strategies for resource 
     management, including the development

[[Page 28194]]

     of intergovernmental and interagency agreements to protect, 
     enhance, interpret, fund, manage, and develop the natural, 
     historical, cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational 
     resources of the National Heritage Area;
       (6) describe a program for implementation for the 
     management plan, including--
       (A) performance goals;
       (B) plans for resource protection, enhancement, 
     interpretation, funding, management, and development; and
       (C) specific commitments for implementation that have been 
     made by the local coordinating entity or any Federal, State, 
     Tribal or local government agency, organization, business, or 
     individual;
       (7) include an analysis of, and recommendations for, means 
     by which Federal, State, Tribal, and local programs may best 
     be coordinated (including the role of the National Park 
     Service and other Federal agencies associated with the 
     National Heritage Area) to further the purposes of this 
     subtitle; and
       (8) include a business plan that--
       (A) describes the role, operation, financing, and functions 
     of the local coordinating entity and of each of the major 
     activities contained in the management plan; and
       (B) provides adequate assurances that the local 
     coordinating entity has the partnerships and financial and 
     other resources necessary to implement the management plan 
     for the National Heritage Area.
       (b) Deadline.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date on 
     which funds are first made available to develop the 
     management plan after designation as a National Heritage 
     Area, the local coordinating entity shall submit the 
     management plan to the Secretary for approval.
       (2) Termination of funding.--If the management plan is not 
     submitted to the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (1), 
     the local coordinating entity shall not qualify for any 
     additional financial assistance under this subtitle until 
     such time as the management plan is submitted to and approved 
     by the Secretary.
       (c) Approval of Management Plan.--
       (1) Review.--Not later than 180 days after receiving the 
     plan, the Secretary shall review and approve or disapprove 
     the management plan for a National Heritage Area on the basis 
     of the criteria established under paragraph (3).
       (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the 
     Governor of each State in which the National Heritage Area is 
     located before approving a management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area.
       (3) Criteria for approval.--In determining whether to 
     approve a management plan for a National Heritage Area, the 
     Secretary shall consider whether--
       (A) the local coordinating entity represents the diverse 
     interests of the National Heritage Area, including Federal, 
     State, Tribal, and local governments, natural, and historic 
     resource protection organizations, educational institutions, 
     businesses, recreational organizations, community residents, 
     and private property owners;
       (B) the local coordinating entity--
       (i) has afforded adequate opportunity for public and 
     Federal, State, Tribal, and local governmental involvement 
     (including through workshops and hearings) in the preparation 
     of the management plan; and
       (ii) provides for at least semiannual public meetings to 
     ensure adequate implementation of the management plan;
       (C) the resource protection, enhancement, interpretation, 
     funding, management, and development strategies described in 
     the management plan, if implemented, would adequately 
     protect, enhance, interpret, fund, manage, and develop the 
     natural, historic, cultural, educational, scenic, and 
     recreational resources of the National Heritage Area;
       (D) the management plan would not adversely affect any 
     activities authorized on Federal land under public land laws 
     or land use plans;
       (E) the local coordinating entity has demonstrated the 
     financial capability, in partnership with others, to carry 
     out the plan;
       (F) the Secretary has received adequate assurances from the 
     appropriate State, Tribal, and local officials whose support 
     is needed to ensure the effective implementation of the 
     State, Tribal, and local elements of the management plan; and
       (G) the management plan demonstrates partnerships among the 
     local coordinating entity, Federal, State, Tribal, and local 
     governments, regional planning organizations, nonprofit 
     organizations, or private sector parties for implementation 
     of the management plan.
       (4) Disapproval.--
       (A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves the 
     management plan, the Secretary--
       (i) shall advise the local coordinating entity in writing 
     of the reasons for the disapproval; and
       (ii) may make recommendations to the local coordinating 
     entity for revisions to the management plan.
       (B) Deadline.--Not later than 180 days after receiving a 
     revised management plan, the Secretary shall approve or 
     disapprove the revised management plan.
       (5) Amendments.--
       (A) In general.--An amendment to the management plan that 
     substantially alters the purposes of the National Heritage 
     Area shall be reviewed by the Secretary and approved or 
     disapproved in the same manner as the original management 
     plan.
       (B) Implementation.--The local coordinating entity shall 
     not use Federal funds authorized by this subtitle to 
     implement an amendment to the management plan until the 
     Secretary approves the amendment.
       (6) Authorities.--The Secretary may--
       (A) provide technical assistance under the authority of 
     this subtitle for the development and implementation of the 
     management plan; and
       (B) enter into cooperative agreements with interested 
     parties to carry out this subtitle.

     SEC. 2006. EVALUATION; REPORT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years before the date on 
     which authority for Federal funding terminates for the 
     National Heritage Area under this subtitle, the Secretary 
     shall--
       (1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of the 
     National 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 the authorizing 
     legislation for the National Heritage Area; and
       (B) achieving the goals and objectives of the approved 
     management plan for the National Heritage Area;
       (2) analyze the Federal, State, Tribal, local, and private 
     investments in the National Heritage Area to determine the 
     impact of the investments; and
       (3) review the management structure, partnership 
     relationships, and funding of the National Heritage Area for 
     purposes of identifying the critical components for 
     sustainability of the National Heritage Area.
       (c) Report.--Based on the evaluation conducted under 
     subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall submit a report to the 
     Committee on Natural Resources of the United States House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the United States Senate. The report shall 
     include recommendations for the future role of the National 
     Park Service, if any, with respect to the National Heritage 
     Area.

     SEC. 2007. LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.

       (a) Duties.--To further the purposes of the National 
     Heritage Area, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground 
     Partnership, as the local coordinating entity, shall--
       (1) prepare a management plan for the National Heritage 
     Area, and submit the management plan to the Secretary, in 
     accordance with this subtitle;
       (2) submit an annual report to the Secretary for each 
     fiscal year for which the local coordinating entity receives 
     Federal funds under this subtitle, specifying--
       (A) the specific performance goals and accomplishments of 
     the local coordinating entity;
       (B) the expenses and income of the local coordinating 
     entity;
       (C) the amounts and sources of matching funds;
       (D) the amounts leveraged with Federal funds and sources of 
     the leveraging; and
       (E) grants made to any other entities during the fiscal 
     year;
       (3) make available for audit for each fiscal year for which 
     the local coordinating entity receives Federal funds under 
     this subtitle, all information pertaining to the expenditure 
     of the funds and any matching funds; and
       (4) encourage economic viability and sustainability that is 
     consistent with the purposes of the National Heritage Area.
       (b) Authorities.--For the purposes of preparing and 
     implementing the approved management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity may use Federal 
     funds made available under this subtitle to--
       (1) make grants to political jurisdictions, nonprofit 
     organizations, and other parties within the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (2) enter into cooperative agreements with or provide 
     technical assistance to political jurisdictions, nonprofit 
     organizations, Federal agencies, and other interested 
     parties;
       (3) hire and compensate staff, including individuals with 
     expertise in--
       (A) natural, historical, cultural, educational, scenic, and 
     recreational resource conservation;
       (B) economic and community development; and
       (C) heritage planning;
       (4) obtain funds or services from any source, including 
     other Federal programs;
       (5) contract for goods or services; and
       (6) support activities of partners and any other activities 
     that further the purposes of the National Heritage Area and 
     are consistent with the approved management plan.
       (c) Prohibition on Acquisition of Real Property.--The local 
     coordinating entity may not use Federal funds authorized 
     under this subtitle to acquire any interest in real property.

     SEC. 2008. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

       (a) In General.--Nothing in this subtitle 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 a National Heritage Area is encouraged to consult and 
     coordinate the activities with the Secretary and the local 
     coordinating entity to the maximum extent practicable.
       (c) Other Federal Agencies.--Nothing in this subtitle--
       (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

[[Page 28195]]

     plan within the boundaries of a National Heritage Area; or
       (3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized use of 
     Federal land under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency.

     SEC. 2009. PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REGULATORY PROTECTIONS.

       Nothing in this subtitle--
       (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 National Heritage Area;
       (2) requires any property owner to permit public access 
     (including access by Federal, State, Tribal, 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, Tribal, or local law;
       (3) alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved 
     land use plan, or other regulatory authority (such as the 
     authority to make safety improvements or increase the 
     capacity of existing roads or to construct new roads) of any 
     Federal, State, Tribal, or local agency, or conveys any land 
     use or other regulatory authority to any local coordinating 
     entity, including but not necessarily limited to development 
     and management of energy or water or water-related 
     infrastructure;
       (4) authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation 
     of water or water rights;
       (5) diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish 
     and wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting 
     within the National Heritage Area; or
       (6) 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. 2010. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subject to subsection 
     (b), there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
     this subtitle not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. 
     Funds so appropriated shall remain available until expended.
       (b) Limitation on Total Amounts Appropriated.--Not more 
     than $15,000,000 may be appropriated to carry out this 
     subtitle.
       (c) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--The Federal share of the 
     total cost of any activity under this subtitle shall be not 
     more than 50 percent; the non-Federal contribution may be in 
     the form of in-kind contributions of goods or services fairly 
     valued.

     SEC. 2011. USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES.

       Nothing in this subtitle shall preclude the local 
     coordinating entity from using Federal funds available under 
     other laws for the purposes for which those funds were 
     authorized.

     SEC. 2012. SUNSET FOR GRANTS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE.

       The authority of the Secretary to provide financial 
     assistance under this subtitle terminates on the date that is 
     15 years after the date of enactment of this subtitle.

            Subtitle B--Niagara Falls National Heritage Area

     SEC. 2021. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the 
     ``Niagara Falls National Heritage Area Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this 
     subtitle is as follows:

Sec. 2021. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2022. Purposes.
Sec. 2023. Definitions.
Sec. 2024. Designation of the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area.
Sec. 2025. Management plan.
Sec. 2026. Evaluation; report.
Sec. 2027. Local coordinating entity.
Sec. 2028. Niagara Falls Heritage Area Commission.
Sec. 2029. Relationship to other Federal agencies.
Sec. 2030. Private property and regulatory protections.
Sec. 2031. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 2032. Use of Federal funds from other sources.
Sec. 2033. Sunset for grants and other assistance.

     SEC. 2022. PURPOSES.

       (a) The purposes of this subtitle include--
       (1) to recognize the national importance of the natural and 
     cultural legacies of the area, as demonstrated in the 
     National Park Service study report entitled ``Niagara 
     National Heritage Area Study'' dated 2005;
       (2) to preserve, support, conserve, and interpret the 
     natural, scenic, cultural, and historic resources within the 
     National Heritage Area;
       (3) to promote heritage, cultural and recreational tourism 
     and to develop educational and cultural programs for visitors 
     and the general public;
       (4) to recognize and interpret important events and 
     geographic locations representing key developments in 
     American history and culture, including Native American, 
     Colonial American, European American, and African American 
     heritage;
       (5) to enhance a cooperative management framework to assist 
     State, local, and Tribal governments, the private sector, and 
     citizens residing in the National Heritage Area in 
     conserving, supporting, enhancing, and interpreting the 
     significant historic, cultural, and recreational sites in the 
     National Heritage Area;
       (6) to conserve and interpret the history of the 
     development of hydroelectric power in the United States and 
     its role in developing the American economy; and
       (7) to provide appropriate linkages among units of the 
     National Park System within and surrounding the National 
     Heritage Area, to protect, enhance, and interpret resources 
     outside of park boundaries.

     SEC. 2023. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle--
       (1) National heritage area.--The term ``National Heritage 
     Area'' means the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area 
     established in this subtitle.
       (2) Local coordinating entity.--The term ``local 
     coordinating entity'' means the local coordinating entity for 
     the National Heritage Area designated pursuant to this 
     subtitle.
       (3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means 
     the plan prepared by the local coordinating entity for the 
     National Heritage Area that specifies actions, policies, 
     strategies, performance goals, and recommendations to meet 
     the goals of the National Heritage Area, in accordance with 
     this subtitle.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (5) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Niagara 
     Falls National Heritage Area Commission established under 
     this subtitle.
       (6) Governor.--The term ``Governor'' means the Governor of 
     the State of New York.

     SEC. 2024. DESIGNATION OF THE NIAGARA FALLS NATIONAL HERITAGE 
                   AREA.

       (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Niagara 
     Falls National Heritage Area.
       (b) Boundaries.--
       (1) In general.--The National Heritage Area shall consist 
     of the area from the western boundary of the town of 
     Wheatfield, New York, extending to the mouth of the Niagara 
     River on Lake Ontario, including the city of Niagara Falls, 
     New York, the villages of Youngstown and Lewiston, New York, 
     land and water within the boundaries of the Heritage Area in 
     Niagara County, New York, and any additional thematically 
     related sites within Erie and Niagara Counties, New York, 
     that are identified in the management plan developed under 
     this subtitle.
       (2) Map.--The boundaries of the National Heritage Area 
     shall be as generally depicted on the map titled ``Niagara 
     Falls National Heritage Area,'' and numbered P76/80,000 and 
     dated July, 2006. The map shall be on file and available to 
     the public in the appropriate offices of the National Park 
     Service and the local coordinating entity.

     SEC. 2025. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

       (a) Requirements.--The management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area shall--
       (1) describe comprehensive policies, goals, strategies, and 
     recommendations for telling the story of the heritage of the 
     area covered by the National Heritage Area and encouraging 
     long-term resource protection, enhancement, interpretation, 
     funding, management, and development of the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (2) include a description of actions and commitments that 
     Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, private 
     organizations, and citizens will take to protect, enhance, 
     interpret, fund, manage, and develop the natural, historical, 
     cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of 
     the National Heritage Area;
       (3) specify existing and potential sources of funding or 
     economic development strategies to protect, enhance, 
     interpret, fund, manage, and develop the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (4) include an inventory of the natural, historical, 
     cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of 
     the National Heritage Area related to the national importance 
     and themes of the National Heritage Area that should be 
     protected, enhanced, interpreted, managed, funded, and 
     developed;
       (5) recommend policies and strategies for resource 
     management, including the development of intergovernmental 
     and interagency agreements to protect, enhance, interpret, 
     fund, manage, and develop the natural, historical, cultural, 
     educational, scenic, and recreational resources of the 
     National Heritage Area;
       (6) describe a program for implementation for the 
     management plan, including--
       (A) performance goals;
       (B) plans for resource protection, enhancement, 
     interpretation, funding, management, and development; and
       (C) specific commitments for implementation that have been 
     made by the local coordinating entity or any Federal, State, 
     Tribal, or local government agency, organization, business, 
     or individual;
       (7) include an analysis of, and recommendations for, means 
     by which Federal, State, Tribal, and local programs may best 
     be coordinated (including the role of the National Park 
     Service and other Federal agencies associated with the 
     National Heritage Area) to further the purposes of this 
     subtitle; and
       (8) include a business plan that--
       (A) describes the role, operation, financing, and functions 
     of the local coordinating entity and of each of the major 
     activities contained in the management plan; and
       (B) provides adequate assurances that the local 
     coordinating entity has the partnerships and financial and 
     other resources necessary to implement the management plan 
     for the National Heritage Area.
       (b) Deadline.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date on 
     which funds are first made available to develop the 
     management plan after designation as a National Heritage 
     Area, the local coordinating entity shall submit the 
     management plan to the Secretary for approval.

[[Page 28196]]

       (2) Termination of funding.--If the management plan is not 
     submitted to the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (1), 
     the local coordinating entity shall not qualify for any 
     additional financial assistance under this subtitle until 
     such time as the management plan is submitted to and approved 
     by the Secretary.
       (c) Approval of Management Plan.--
       (1) Review.--Not later than 180 days after receiving the 
     plan, the Secretary shall review and approve or disapprove 
     the management plan for a National Heritage Area on the basis 
     of the criteria established under paragraph (3).
       (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the 
     Governor before approving a management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area.
       (3) Criteria for approval.--In determining whether to 
     approve a management plan for a National Heritage Area, the 
     Secretary shall consider whether--
       (A) the local coordinating entity represents the diverse 
     interests of the National Heritage Area, including Federal, 
     State, Tribal, and local governments, natural and historic 
     resource protection organizations, educational institutions, 
     businesses, recreational organizations, community residents, 
     and private property owners;
       (B) the local coordinating entity--
       (i) has afforded adequate opportunity for public and 
     Federal, State, Tribal, and local governmental involvement 
     (including through workshops and hearings) in the preparation 
     of the management plan; and
       (ii) provides for at least semiannual public meetings to 
     ensure adequate implementation of the management plan;
       (C) the resource protection, enhancement, interpretation, 
     funding, management, and development strategies described in 
     the management plan, if implemented, would adequately 
     protect, enhance, interpret, fund, manage, and develop the 
     natural, historic, cultural, educational, scenic, and 
     recreational resources of the National Heritage Area;
       (D) the management plan would not adversely affect any 
     activities authorized on Federal land under public land laws 
     or land use plans;
       (E) the local coordinating entity has demonstrated the 
     financial capability, in partnership with others, to carry 
     out the plan;
       (F) the Secretary has received adequate assurances from the 
     appropriate State, Tribal, and local officials whose support 
     is needed to ensure the effective implementation of the 
     State, Tribal, and local elements of the management plan; and
       (G) the management plan demonstrates partnerships among the 
     local coordinating entity, Federal, State, Tribal, and local 
     governments, regional planning organizations, nonprofit 
     organizations, or private sector parties for implementation 
     of the management plan.
       (4) Disapproval.--
       (A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves the 
     management plan, the Secretary--
       (i) shall advise the local coordinating entity in writing 
     of the reasons for the disapproval; and
       (ii) may make recommendations to the local coordinating 
     entity for revisions to the management plan.
       (B) Deadline.--Not later than 180 days after receiving a 
     revised management plan, the Secretary shall approve or 
     disapprove the revised management plan.
       (5) Amendments.--
       (A) In general.--An amendment to the management plan that 
     substantially alters the purposes of the National Heritage 
     Area shall be reviewed by the Secretary and approved or 
     disapproved in the same manner as the original management 
     plan.
       (B) Implementation.--The local coordinating entity shall 
     not use Federal funds authorized by this subtitle to 
     implement an amendment to the management plan until the 
     Secretary approves the amendment.
       (6) Authorities.--The Secretary may--
       (A) provide technical assistance under the authority of 
     this subtitle for the development and implementation of the 
     management plan; and
       (B) enter into cooperative agreements with interested 
     parties to carry out this subtitle

     SEC. 2026. EVALUATION; REPORT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years before the date on 
     which authority for Federal funding terminates for the 
     National Heritage Area under this subtitle the Secretary 
     shall--
       (1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of the 
     National 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 the authorizing 
     legislation for the National Heritage Area; and
       (B) achieving the goals and objectives of the approved 
     management plan for the National Heritage Area;
       (2) analyze the Federal, State, Tribal, and local, and 
     private investments in the National Heritage Area to 
     determine the impact of the investments; and
       (3) review the management structure, partnership 
     relationships, and funding of the National Heritage Area for 
     purposes of identifying the critical components for 
     sustainability of the National Heritage Area.
       (c) Report.--Based on the evaluation conducted under 
     subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall submit a report to the 
     Committee on Natural Resources of the United States House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the United States Senate. The report shall 
     include recommendations for the future role of the National 
     Park Service, if any, with respect to the National Heritage 
     Area.

     SEC. 2027. LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.

       (a) Designation.--The local coordinating entity for the 
     Heritage Area shall be--
       (1) for the 5-year period beginning on the date of 
     enactment of this subtitle, the Commission; and
       (2) on expiration of the 5-year period described in 
     subparagraph (1), a private nonprofit or governmental 
     organization designated by the Commission.
       (b) Duties.--To further the purposes of the National 
     Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity, shall--
       (1) prepare a management plan for the National Heritage 
     Area, and submit the management plan to the Secretary, in 
     accordance with this subtitle;
       (2) submit an annual report to the Secretary for each 
     fiscal year for which the local coordinating entity receives 
     Federal funds under this subtitle, specifying--
       (A) the specific performance goals and accomplishments of 
     the local coordinating entity;
       (B) the expenses and income of the local coordinating 
     entity;
       (C) the amounts and sources of matching funds;
       (D) the amounts leveraged with Federal funds and sources of 
     the leveraging; and
       (E) grants made to any other entities during the fiscal 
     year;
       (3) make available for audit for each fiscal year for which 
     the local coordinating entity receives Federal funds under 
     this subtitle, all information pertaining to the expenditure 
     of the funds and any matching funds;
       (4) encourage economic viability and sustainability that is 
     consistent with the purposes of the National Heritage Area; 
     and
       (5) coordinate projects, activities, and programs with the 
     Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
       (c) Authorities.--For the purposes of preparing and 
     implementing the approved management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity may use Federal 
     funds made available under this subtitle to--
       (1) make grants to political jurisdictions, nonprofit 
     organizations, and other parties within the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (2) enter into cooperative agreements with or provide 
     technical assistance to political jurisdictions, nonprofit 
     organizations, Federal agencies, and other interested 
     parties;
       (3) hire and compensate staff, including individuals with 
     expertise in--
       (A) natural, historical, cultural, educational, scenic, and 
     recreational resource conservation;
       (B) economic and community development; and
       (C) heritage planning;
       (4) obtain funds or services from any source, including 
     other Federal programs;
       (5) contract for goods or services; and
       (6) support activities of partners and any other activities 
     that further the purposes of the National Heritage Area and 
     are consistent with the approved management plan.
       (d) Prohibition on Acquisition of Real Property.--The local 
     coordinating entity may not use Federal funds authorized 
     under this subtitle to acquire any interest in real property.

     SEC. 2028. NIAGARA FALLS HERITAGE AREA COMMISSION.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established within the 
     Department of the Interior the Niagara Falls National 
     Heritage Area Commission.
       (b) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of 17 
     members, of whom--
       (1) 1 member shall be the Director of the National Park 
     Service (or a designee);
       (2) 5 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, after 
     consideration of the recommendation of the Governor, from 
     among individuals with knowledge and experience of--
       (A) the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and 
     Historic Preservation, the Niagara River Greenway Commission, 
     the New York Power Authority, the USA Niagara Development 
     Corporation, and the Niagara Tourism and Convention 
     Corporation; or
       (B) any successors of the agencies described in 
     subparagraph (A);
       (3) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretary, after 
     consideration of the recommendation of the mayor of Niagara 
     Falls, New York;
       (4) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretary, after 
     consideration of the recommendation of the mayor of the 
     village of Youngstown, New York;
       (5) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretary, after 
     consideration of the recommendation of the mayor of the 
     village of Lewiston, New York;
       (6) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretary, after 
     consideration of the recommendation of the Tuscarora Nation;
       (7) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretary, after 
     consideration of the recommendation of the Seneca Nation of 
     Indians; and
       (8) 6 members shall be individuals who have an interest in, 
     support for, and expertise appropriate to tourism, regional 
     planning, history and historic preservation, cultural or 
     natural resource management, conservation, recreation, and 
     education, or museum services, of whom--
       (A) 4 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, after 
     consideration of the recommendation of the 2 members of the 
     Senate from the State; and
       (B) 2 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, after 
     consideration of the recommendation of the Member of the 
     House of Representatives whose district encompasses the 
     National Heritage Area.
       (c) Terms; Vacancies.--

[[Page 28197]]

       (1) Term.--A member of the Commission shall be appointed 
     for a term not to exceed 5 years.
       (2) Vacancies.--
       (A) Partial term.--A member appointed to fill a vacancy on 
     the Commission shall serve for the remainder of the term for 
     which the predecessor of the member was appointed.
       (B) In general.--A vacancy on the Commission shall be 
     filled in the same manner as the original appointment was 
     made.
       (d) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.--
       (1) Selection.--The Commission shall select a Chairperson 
     and Vice Chairperson from among the members of the 
     Commission.
       (2) Vice chairperson.--The Vice Chairperson shall serve as 
     the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson.
       (e) Quorum.--
       (1) In general.--A majority of the members of the 
     Commission shall constitute a quorum.
       (2) Transaction.--For the transaction of any business or 
     the exercise of any power of the Commission, the Commission 
     shall have the power to act by a majority vote of the members 
     present at any meeting at which a quorum is in attendance.
       (f) Meetings.--
       (1) In general.--The Commission shall meet at least 
     quarterly at the call of--
       (A) the Chairperson; or
       (B) a majority of the members of the Commission.
       (2) Notice.--Notice of Commission meetings and agendas for 
     the meetings shall be published in local newspapers that are 
     distributed throughout the National Heritage Area.
       (3) Applicable law.--Meetings of the Commission shall be 
     subject to section 552b of title 5, United States Code.
       (g) Authorities of the Commission.--In addition to the 
     authorities otherwise granted in this subtitle, the 
     Commission may--
       (1) request and accept from the head of any Federal agency, 
     on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis, any personnel of 
     the Federal agency to the Commission to assist in carrying 
     out the duties of the Commission;
       (2) request and accept from the head of any State agency or 
     any agency of a political subdivision of the State, on a 
     reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, any personnel of the 
     agency to the Commission to assist in carrying out the duties 
     of the Commission;
       (3) seek, accept, and dispose of gifts, bequests, grants, 
     or donations of money, personal property, or services; and
       (4) use the United States mails in the same manner as other 
     agencies of the Federal Government.
       (h) Duties of the Commission.--To further the purposes of 
     the National Heritage Area, in addition to the duties 
     otherwise listed in this subtitle, the Commission shall 
     assist in the transition of the management of the National 
     Heritage Area from the Commission to the local coordinating 
     entity designated under this subtitle.
       (i) Compensation of Members.--
       (1) In general.--A member of the Commission shall serve 
     without compensation.
       (2) Travel expenses.--A member of the Commission shall be 
     allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency 
     under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
     Code, while away from the home or regular place of business 
     of the member in the performance of the duties of the 
     Commission.
       (j) Gifts.--For purposes of section 170(c) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986, any gift or charitable contribution to 
     the Commission shall be considered to be a charitable 
     contribution or gift to the United States.
       (k) Use of Federal Funds.--Except as provided for the 
     leasing of administrative facilities under subsection (g)(1), 
     the Commission may not use Federal funds made available to 
     the Commission under this subtitle to acquire any real 
     property or interest in real property.

     SEC. 2029. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

       (a) In General.--Nothing in this subtitle 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 a National Heritage Area is encouraged to consult and 
     coordinate the activities with the Secretary and the local 
     coordinating entity to the maximum extent practicable.
       (c) Other Federal Agencies.--Nothing in this subtitle--
       (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 
     a National Heritage Area; or
       (3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized use of 
     Federal land under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency.

     SEC. 2030. PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REGULATORY PROTECTIONS.

       Nothing in this subtitle--
       (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 National Heritage Area;
       (2) requires any property owner to permit public access 
     (including access by Federal, State, Tribal, 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, Tribal, or local law;
       (3) alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved 
     land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal, 
     State, Tribal, or local agency, or conveys any land use or 
     other regulatory authority to any local coordinating entity, 
     including but not necessarily limited to development and 
     management of energy, water, or water-related infrastructure;
       (4) authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation 
     of water or water rights;
       (5) diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish 
     and wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting 
     within the National Heritage Area; or
       (6) 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. 2031. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subject to subsection 
     (b), there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
     this subtitle not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. 
     Funds so appropriated shall remain available until expended.
       (b) Limitation on Total Amounts Appropriated.--Not more 
     than $15,000,000 may be appropriated to carry out this 
     subtitle.
       (c) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--The Federal share of the 
     total cost of any activity under this subtitle shall be not 
     more than 50 percent; the non-Federal contribution may be in 
     the form of in-kind contributions of goods or services fairly 
     valued.

     SEC. 2032. USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES.

       Nothing in this subtitle shall preclude the local 
     coordinating entity from using Federal funds available under 
     other laws for the purposes for which those funds were 
     authorized.

     SEC. 2033. SUNSET FOR GRANTS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE.

       The authority of the Secretary to provide financial 
     assistance under this subtitle terminates on the date that is 
     15 years after the date of enactment of this subtitle.

            Subtitle C--Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area

     SEC. 2041. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the 
     ``Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this 
     subtitle is as follows:

Sec. 2041. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2042. Purposes.
Sec. 2043. Definitions.
Sec. 2044. Designation of Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area.
Sec. 2045. Management plan.
Sec. 2046. Evaluation; report.
Sec. 2047. Local coordinating entity.
Sec. 2048. Relationship to other Federal agencies.
Sec. 2049. Private property and regulatory protections.
Sec. 2050. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 2051. Use of Federal funds from other sources.
Sec. 2052. Sunset for grants and other assistance.

     SEC. 2042. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this subtitle include--
       (1) to preserve, support conserve and interpret the legacy 
     of the region represented by the National Heritage Area as 
     described in the feasibility study prepared by the National 
     Park Service;
       (2) to promote heritage, cultural and recreational tourism 
     and to develop educational and cultural programs for visitors 
     and the general public;
       (3) to recognize and interpret important events and 
     geographic locations representing key developments in the 
     growth of America, including Native American, Colonial 
     American, European American, and African American heritage;
       (4) to recognize and interpret how the distinctive 
     geography of the region shaped the development of settlement, 
     defense, transportation, commerce, and culture there;
       (5) to provide a cooperative management framework to foster 
     a close working relationship with all levels of government, 
     the private sector, and the local communities in the region 
     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; and
       (6) to provide appropriate linkages between units of the 
     National Park System and communities, governments, and 
     organizations within the National Heritage Area.

     SEC. 2043. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle:
       (1) National heritage area.--The term ``National Heritage 
     Area'' means the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area 
     established in this subtitle.
       (2) Local coordinating entity.--The term ``local 
     coordinating entity'' means the Muscle Shoals Regional 
     Center, which is hereby designated by Congress--
       (A) to develop, in partnership with others, the management 
     plan for the National Heritage Area; and
       (B) to act as a catalyst for the implementation of projects 
     and programs among diverse partners in the National Heritage 
     Area.
       (3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means 
     the plan prepared by the local coordinating entity for the 
     National Heritage Area that specifies actions, policies, 
     strategies, performance goals, and recommendations

[[Page 28198]]

     to meet the goals of the National Heritage Area, in 
     accordance with this subtitle.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 2044. DESIGNATION OF MUSCLE SHOALS NATIONAL HERITAGE 
                   AREA.

       (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Muscle 
     Shoals National Heritage Area in the State of Alabama.
       (b) Boundaries.--
       (1) In general.--The National Heritage Area shall be 
     comprised of the counties of Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, 
     Lawrence, Limestone, and Morgan; including the Wilson Dam; 
     the Handy Home; and the Helen Keller birthplace.
       (2) Map.--The boundary of the National Heritage Area shall 
     be as generally depicted on the map titled ``Muscle Shoals 
     National Heritage Area'', numbered T08/80,000, and dated 
     October 2007. The map shall be on file and available to the 
     public in the appropriate offices of the National Park 
     Service and the local coordinating entity.

     SEC. 2045. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

       (a) Requirements.--The management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area shall--
       (1) describe comprehensive policies, goals, strategies, and 
     recommendations for telling the story of the heritage of the 
     area covered by the National Heritage Area and encouraging 
     long-term resource protection, enhancement, interpretation, 
     funding, management, and development of the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (2) include a description of actions and commitments that 
     Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, private 
     organizations, and citizens will take to protect, enhance, 
     interpret, fund, manage, and develop the natural, historical, 
     cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of 
     the National Heritage Area;
       (3) specify existing and potential sources of funding or 
     economic development strategies to protect, enhance, 
     interpret, fund, manage, and develop the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (4) include an inventory of the natural, historical, 
     cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of 
     the National Heritage Area related to the national importance 
     and themes of the National Heritage Area that should be 
     protected, enhanced, interpreted, managed, funded, and 
     developed;
       (5) recommend policies and strategies for resource 
     management, including the development of intergovernmental 
     and interagency agreements to protect, enhance, interpret, 
     fund, manage, and develop the natural, historical, cultural, 
     educational, scenic, and recreational resources of the 
     National Heritage Area;
       (6) describe a program for implementation for the 
     management plan, including--
       (A) performance goals;
       (B) plans for resource protection, enhancement, 
     interpretation, funding, management, and development; and
       (C) specific commitments for implementation that have been 
     made by the local coordinating entity or any Federal, State, 
     Tribal, or local government agency, organization, business, 
     or individual;
       (7) include an analysis of, and recommendations for, means 
     by which Federal, State, Tribal, and local programs may best 
     be coordinated (including the role of the National Park 
     Service and other Federal agencies associated with the 
     National Heritage Area) to further the purposes of this 
     subtitle; and
       (8) include a business plan that--
       (A) describes the role, operation, financing, and functions 
     of the local coordinating entity and of each of the major 
     activities contained in the management plan; and
       (B) provides adequate assurances that the local 
     coordinating entity has the partnerships and financial and 
     other resources necessary to implement the management plan 
     for the National Heritage Area.
       (b) Deadline.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date on 
     which funds are first made available to develop the 
     management plan after designation as a National Heritage 
     Area, the local coordinating entity shall submit the 
     management plan to the Secretary for approval.
       (2) Termination of funding.--If the management plan is not 
     submitted to the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (1), 
     the local coordinating entity shall not qualify for any 
     additional financial assistance under this subtitle until 
     such time as the management plan is submitted to and approved 
     by the Secretary.
       (c) Approval of Management Plan.--
       (1) Review.--Not later than 180 days after receiving the 
     plan, the Secretary shall review and approve or disapprove 
     the management plan for a National Heritage Area on the basis 
     of the criteria established under paragraph (3).
       (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the 
     Governor of each State in which the National Heritage Area is 
     located before approving a management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area.
       (3) Criteria for approval.--In determining whether to 
     approve a management plan for a National Heritage Area, the 
     Secretary shall consider whether--
       (A) the local coordinating entity represents the diverse 
     interests of the National Heritage Area, including Federal, 
     State, Tribal, and local governments, natural, and historic 
     resource protection organizations, educational institutions, 
     businesses, recreational organizations, community residents, 
     and private property owners;
       (B) the local coordinating entity--
       (i) has afforded adequate opportunity for public and 
     Federal, State, Tribal, and local governmental involvement 
     (including through workshops and hearings) in the preparation 
     of the management plan; and
       (ii) provides for at least semiannual public meetings to 
     ensure adequate implementation of the management plan;
       (C) the resource protection, enhancement, interpretation, 
     funding, management, and development strategies described in 
     the management plan, if implemented, would adequately 
     protect, enhance, interpret, fund, manage, and develop the 
     natural, historic, cultural, educational, scenic, and 
     recreational resources of the National Heritage Area;
       (D) the management plan would not adversely affect any 
     activities authorized on Federal land under public land laws 
     or land use plans;
       (E) the local coordinating entity has demonstrated the 
     financial capability, in partnership with others, to carry 
     out the plan;
       (F) the Secretary has received adequate assurances from the 
     appropriate State, Tribal, and local officials whose support 
     is needed to ensure the effective implementation of the 
     State, Tribal, and local elements of the management plan; and
       (G) the management plan demonstrates partnerships among the 
     local coordinating entity, Federal, State, Tribal, and local 
     governments, regional planning organizations, nonprofit 
     organizations, or private sector parties for implementation 
     of the management plan.
       (4) Disapproval.--
       (A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves the 
     management plan, the Secretary--
       (i) shall advise the local coordinating entity in writing 
     of the reasons for the disapproval; and
       (ii) may make recommendations to the local coordinating 
     entity for revisions to the management plan.
       (B) Deadline.--Not later than 180 days after receiving a 
     revised management plan, the Secretary shall approve or 
     disapprove the revised management plan.
       (5) Amendments.--
       (A) In general.--An amendment to the management plan that 
     substantially alters the purposes of the National Heritage 
     Area shall be reviewed by the Secretary and approved or 
     disapproved in the same manner as the original management 
     plan.
       (B) Implementation.--The local coordinating entity shall 
     not use Federal funds authorized by this subtitle to 
     implement an amendment to the management plan until the 
     Secretary approves the amendment.
       (6) Authorities.--The Secretary may--
       (A) provide technical assistance under the authority of 
     this subtitle for the development and implementation of the 
     management plan; and
       (B) enter into cooperative agreements with interested 
     parties to carry out this subtitle.

     SEC. 2046. EVALUATION; REPORT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years before the date on 
     which authority for Federal funding terminates for the 
     National Heritage Area under this subtitle, the Secretary 
     shall--
       (1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of the 
     National 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 the authorizing 
     legislation for the National Heritage Area; and
       (B) achieving the goals and objectives of the approved 
     management plan for the National Heritage Area;
       (2) analyze the Federal, State, Tribal, and local, and 
     private investments in the National Heritage Area to 
     determine the impact of the investments; and
       (3) review the management structure, partnership 
     relationships, and funding of the National Heritage Area for 
     purposes of identifying the critical components for 
     sustainability of the National Heritage Area.
       (c) Report.--Based on the evaluation conducted under 
     subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall submit a report to the 
     Committee on Natural Resources of the United States House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the United States Senate. The report shall 
     include recommendations for the future role of the National 
     Park Service, if any, with respect to the National Heritage 
     Area.

     SEC. 2047. LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.

       (a) Duties.--To further the purposes of the National 
     Heritage Area, the Muscle Shoals Regional Center, as the 
     local coordinating entity, shall--
       (1) prepare a management plan for the National Heritage 
     Area, and submit the management plan to the Secretary, in 
     accordance with this subtitle;
       (2) submit an annual report to the Secretary for each 
     fiscal year for which the local coordinating entity receives 
     Federal funds under this subtitle, specifying--
       (A) the specific performance goals and accomplishments of 
     the local coordinating entity;
       (B) the expenses and income of the local coordinating 
     entity;
       (C) the amounts and sources of matching funds;
       (D) the amounts leveraged with Federal funds and sources of 
     the leveraging; and
       (E) grants made to any other entities during the fiscal 
     year;
       (3) make available for audit for each fiscal year for which 
     the local coordinating entity receives Federal funds under 
     this subtitle, all information pertaining to the expenditure 
     of the funds and any matching funds; and

[[Page 28199]]

       (4) encourage economic viability and sustainability that is 
     consistent with the purposes of the National Heritage Area.
       (b) Authorities.--For the purposes of preparing and 
     implementing the approved management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity may use Federal 
     funds made available under this subtitle to--
       (1) make grants to political jurisdictions, nonprofit 
     organizations, and other parties within the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (2) enter into cooperative agreements with or provide 
     technical assistance to political jurisdictions, nonprofit 
     organizations, Federal agencies, and other interested 
     parties;
       (3) hire and compensate staff, including individuals with 
     expertise in--
       (A) natural, historical, cultural, educational, scenic, and 
     recreational resource conservation;
       (B) economic and community development; and
       (C) heritage planning;
       (4) obtain funds or services from any source, including 
     other Federal programs;
       (5) contract for goods or services; and
       (6) support activities of partners and any other activities 
     that further the purposes of the National Heritage Area and 
     are consistent with the approved management plan.
       (c) Prohibition on Acquisition of Real Property.--The local 
     coordinating entity may not use Federal funds authorized 
     under this subtitle to acquire any interest in real property.

     SEC. 2048. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

       (a) In General.--Nothing in this subtitle 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 a National Heritage Area is encouraged to consult and 
     coordinate the activities with the Secretary and the local 
     coordinating entity to the maximum extent practicable.
       (c) Other Federal Agencies.--Nothing in this subtitle--
       (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 
     a National Heritage Area; or
       (3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized use of 
     Federal land under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency.

     SEC. 2049. PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REGULATORY PROTECTIONS.

       Nothing in this subtitle--
       (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 National Heritage Area;
       (2) requires any property owner to permit public access 
     (including access by Federal, State, Tribal, 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, Tribal, or local law;
       (3) alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved 
     land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal, 
     State, Tribal, or local agency, or conveys any land use or 
     other regulatory authority to any local coordinating entity, 
     including but not necessarily limited to development and 
     management of energy, water, or water-related infrastructure;
       (4) authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation 
     of water or water rights;
       (5) diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish 
     and wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting 
     within the National Heritage Area; or
       (6) 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. 2050. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subject to subsection 
     (b), there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
     this subtitle not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. 
     Funds so appropriated shall remain available until expended.
       (b) Limitation on Total Amounts Appropriated.--Not more 
     than $15,000,000 may be appropriated to carry out this 
     subtitle.
       (c) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--The Federal share of the 
     total cost of any activity under this subtitle shall be not 
     more than 50 percent; the non-Federal contribution may be in 
     the form of in-kind contributions of goods or services fairly 
     valued.

     SEC. 2051. USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES.

       Nothing in this subtitle shall preclude the local 
     coordinating entity from using Federal funds available under 
     other laws for the purposes for which those funds were 
     authorized.

     SEC. 2052. SUNSET FOR GRANTS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE.

       The authority of the Secretary to provide financial 
     assistance under this subtitle terminates on the date that is 
     15 years after the date of enactment of this subtitle.

            Subtitle D--Freedom's Way National Heritage Area

     SEC. 2061. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the 
     ``Freedom's Way National Heritage Area Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this 
     subtitle is as follows:

Sec. 2061. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2062. Purposes.
Sec. 2063. Definitions.
Sec. 2064. Designation of Freedom's Way National Heritage Area.
Sec. 2065. Management plan.
Sec. 2066. Evaluation; report.
Sec. 2067. Local coordinating entity.
Sec. 2068. Relationship to other Federal agencies.
Sec. 2069. Private property and regulatory protections.
Sec. 2070. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 2071. Use of Federal funds from other sources.
Sec. 2072. Sunset for grants and other assistance.

     SEC. 2062. PURPOSES.

       (a) The purposes of this subtitle include--
       (1) to recognize the significant natural and cultural 
     legacies of the area, as demonstrated in the study entitled 
     ``Freedom's Way Heritage Area Feasibility Study'' dated July 
     1997 and the addendum dated March 2003;
       (2) to promote heritage, cultural and recreational tourism 
     and to develop educational and cultural programs for visitors 
     and the general public;
       (3) to foster a close working relationship between the 
     Secretary and all levels of government, the private sector, 
     and local communities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
     and the State of New Hampshire in order to preserve the 
     special historic identity of the National Heritage Area;
       (4) to manage, preserve, protect and interpret the 
     cultural, historical, and natural resources of the National 
     Heritage Area for the educational and inspirational benefit 
     of future generations; and
       (5) to provide appropriate linkages between units of the 
     National Park System and communities, governments, and 
     organizations within the National Heritage Area.

     SEC. 2063. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle:
       (1) National heritage area.--The term ``National Heritage 
     Area'' means the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area 
     established in this subtitle.
       (2) Local coordinating entity.--The term ``local 
     coordinating entity'' means the Freedom's Way Heritage 
     Association, Inc., which is hereby designated by Congress--
       (A) to develop, in partnership with others, the management 
     plan for the National Heritage Area; and
       (B) to act as a catalyst for the implementation of projects 
     and programs among diverse partners in the National Heritage 
     Area.
       (3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means 
     the plan prepared by the local coordinating entity for the 
     National Heritage Area that specifies actions, policies, 
     strategies, performance goals, and recommendations to meet 
     the goals of the National Heritage Area, in accordance with 
     this subtitle.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 2064. DESIGNATION OF FREEDOM'S WAY NATIONAL HERITAGE 
                   AREA.

       (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the 
     Freedom's Way National Heritage Area.
       (b) Boundaries.--
       (1) In general.--The National Heritage Area shall include 
     the following communities in the Commonwealth of 
     Massachusetts: Winchendon, Ashburnham, Ashby, Gardner, 
     Fitchburg, Westminster, Princeton, Sterling, Leominster, 
     Townsend, Pepperell, Lunenburg, Shirley, Lancaster, Clinton, 
     Bolton, Harvard, Ayer, Groton, Dunstable, Westford, 
     Littleton, Boxborough, Stow, Hudson, Maynard, Sudbury, 
     Concord, Carlisle, Acton, Bedford, Lincoln, Lexington, 
     Woburn, Arlington, Medford, and Malden. Additionally it shall 
     include the following communities in the State of New 
     Hampshire: New Ipswich, Greenville, Mason, Brookline, 
     Milford, Amherst, Hollis, and Nashua.
       (2) Map.--The boundaries of the National Heritage area 
     shall be as generally depicted on the map titled ``Freedom's 
     Way National Heritage Area'', numbered T04/80,000, and dated 
     July 2007. The map shall be on file and available to the 
     public in the appropriate offices of the National Park 
     Service and the local coordinating entity.

     SEC. 2065. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

       (a) Requirements.--The management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area shall--
       (1) describe comprehensive policies, goals, strategies, and 
     recommendations for telling the story of the heritage of the 
     area covered by the National Heritage Area and encouraging 
     long-term resource protection, enhancement, interpretation, 
     funding, management, and development of the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (2) include a description of actions and commitments that 
     Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, private 
     organizations, and citizens will take to protect, enhance, 
     interpret, fund, manage, and develop the natural, historical, 
     cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of 
     the National Heritage Area;
       (3) specify existing and potential sources of funding or 
     economic development strategies to protect, enhance, 
     interpret, fund, manage, and develop the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (4) include an inventory of the natural, historical, 
     cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of 
     the National Heritage Area related to the national importance 
     and themes of the National Heritage Area that should be 
     protected, enhanced, interpreted, managed, funded, and 
     developed;

[[Page 28200]]

       (5) recommend policies and strategies for resource 
     management, including the development of intergovernmental 
     and interagency agreements to protect, enhance, interpret, 
     fund, manage, and develop the natural, historical, cultural, 
     educational, scenic, and recreational resources of the 
     National Heritage Area;
       (6) describe a program for implementation for the 
     management plan, including--
       (A) performance goals;
       (B) plans for resource protection, enhancement, 
     interpretation, funding, management, and development; and
       (C) specific commitments for implementation that have been 
     made by the local coordinating entity or any Federal, State, 
     Tribal, or local government agency, organization, business, 
     or individual;
       (7) include an analysis of, and recommendations for, means 
     by which Federal, State, Tribal, and local programs may best 
     be coordinated (including the role of the National Park 
     Service and other Federal agencies associated with the 
     National Heritage Area) to further the purposes of this 
     subtitle; and
       (8) include a business plan that--
       (A) describes the role, operation, financing, and functions 
     of the local coordinating entity and of each of the major 
     activities contained in the management plan; and
       (B) provides adequate assurances that the local 
     coordinating entity has the partnerships and financial and 
     other resources necessary to implement the management plan 
     for the National Heritage Area.
       (b) Deadline.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date on 
     which funds are first made available to develop the 
     management plan after designation as a National Heritage 
     Area, the local coordinating entity shall submit the 
     management plan to the Secretary for approval.
       (2) Termination of funding.--If the management plan is not 
     submitted to the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (1), 
     the local coordinating entity shall not qualify for any 
     additional financial assistance under this subtitle until 
     such time as the management plan is submitted to and approved 
     by the Secretary.
       (c) Approval of Management Plan.--
       (1) Review.--Not later than 180 days after receiving the 
     plan, the Secretary shall review and approve or disapprove 
     the management plan for the National Heritage Area on the 
     basis of the criteria established under paragraph (3).
       (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the 
     Governor of each State or Commonwealth in which the National 
     Heritage Area is located before approving a management plan 
     for the National Heritage Area.
       (3) Criteria for approval.--In determining whether to 
     approve a management plan for a National Heritage Area, the 
     Secretary shall consider whether--
       (A) the local coordinating entity represents the diverse 
     interests of the National Heritage Area, including Federal, 
     State, Tribal, and local governments, natural and historic 
     resource protection organizations, educational institutions, 
     businesses, recreational organizations, community residents, 
     and private property owners;
       (B) the local coordinating entity--
       (i) has afforded adequate opportunity for public and 
     Federal, State, Tribal, and local governmental involvement 
     (including through workshops and hearings) in the preparation 
     of the management plan; and
       (ii) provides for at least semiannual public meetings to 
     ensure adequate implementation of the management plan;
       (C) the resource protection, enhancement, interpretation, 
     funding, management, and development strategies described in 
     the management plan, if implemented, would adequately 
     protect, enhance, interpret, fund, manage, and develop the 
     natural, historic, cultural, educational, scenic, and 
     recreational resources of the National Heritage Area;
       (D) the management plan would not adversely affect any 
     activities authorized on Federal land under public land laws 
     or land use plans;
       (E) the local coordinating entity has demonstrated the 
     financial capability, in partnership with others, to carry 
     out the plan;
       (F) the Secretary has received adequate assurances from the 
     appropriate State, Tribal, and local officials whose support 
     is needed to ensure the effective implementation of the 
     State, Tribal, and local elements of the management plan; and
       (G) the management plan demonstrates partnerships among the 
     local coordinating entity, Federal, State, Tribal, and local 
     governments, regional planning organizations, nonprofit 
     organizations, or private sector parties for implementation 
     of the management plan.
       (4) Disapproval.--
       (A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves the 
     management plan, the Secretary--
       (i) shall advise the local coordinating entity in writing 
     of the reasons for the disapproval; and
       (ii) may make recommendations to the local coordinating 
     entity for revisions to the management plan.
       (B) Deadline.--Not later than 180 days after receiving a 
     revised management plan, the Secretary shall approve or 
     disapprove the revised management plan.
       (5) Amendments.--
       (A) In general.--An amendment to the management plan that 
     substantially alters the purposes of the National Heritage 
     Area shall be reviewed by the Secretary and approved or 
     disapproved in the same manner as the original management 
     plan.
       (B) Implementation.--The local coordinating entity shall 
     not use Federal funds authorized by this subtitle to 
     implement an amendment to the management plan until the 
     Secretary approves the amendment.
       (6) Authorities.--The Secretary may--
       (A) provide technical assistance under the authority of 
     this subtitle for the development and implementation of the 
     management plan; and
       (B) enter into cooperative agreements with interested 
     parties to carry out this subtitle.

     SEC. 2066. EVALUATION; REPORT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years before the date on 
     which authority for Federal funding terminates for the 
     National Heritage Area under this subtitle, the Secretary 
     shall--
       (1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of the 
     National 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 the authorizing 
     legislation for the National Heritage Area; and
       (B) achieving the goals and objectives of the approved 
     management plan for the National Heritage Area;
       (2) analyze the Federal, State, Tribal, and local, and 
     private investments in the National Heritage Area to 
     determine the impact of the investments; and
       (3) review the management structure, partnership 
     relationships, and funding of the National Heritage Area for 
     purposes of identifying the critical components for 
     sustainability of the National Heritage Area.
       (c) Report.--Based on the evaluation conducted under 
     subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall submit a report to the 
     Committee on Natural Resources of the United States House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the United States Senate. The report shall 
     include recommendations for the future role of the National 
     Park Service, if any, with respect to the National Heritage 
     Area.

     SEC. 2067. LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.

       (a) Duties.--To further the purposes of the National 
     Heritage Area, the Freedom's Way Heritage Association, Inc., 
     as the local coordinating entity, shall--
       (1) prepare a management plan for the National Heritage 
     Area, and submit the management plan to the Secretary, in 
     accordance with this subtitle;
       (2) submit an annual report to the Secretary for each 
     fiscal year for which the local coordinating entity receives 
     Federal funds under this subtitle, specifying--
       (A) the specific performance goals and accomplishments of 
     the local coordinating entity;
       (B) the expenses and income of the local coordinating 
     entity;
       (C) the amounts and sources of matching funds;
       (D) the amounts leveraged with Federal funds and sources of 
     the leveraging; and
       (E) grants made to any other entities during the fiscal 
     year;
       (3) make available for audit for each fiscal year for which 
     the local coordinating entity receives Federal funds under 
     this subtitle, all information pertaining to the expenditure 
     of the funds and any matching funds; and
       (4) encourage economic viability and sustainability that is 
     consistent with the purposes of the National Heritage Area.
       (b) Authorities.--For the purposes of preparing and 
     implementing the approved management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity may use Federal 
     funds made available under this subtitle to--
       (1) make grants to political jurisdictions, nonprofit 
     organizations, and other parties within the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (2) enter into cooperative agreements with or provide 
     technical assistance to political jurisdictions, nonprofit 
     organizations, Federal agencies, and other interested 
     parties;
       (3) hire and compensate staff, including individuals with 
     expertise in--
       (A) natural, historical, cultural, educational, scenic, and 
     recreational resource conservation;
       (B) economic and community development; and
       (C) heritage planning;
       (4) obtain funds or services from any source, including 
     other Federal programs;
       (5) contract for goods or services; and
       (6) support activities of partners and any other activities 
     that further the purposes of the National Heritage Area and 
     are consistent with the approved management plan.
       (c) Prohibition on Acquisition of Real Property.--The local 
     coordinating entity may not use Federal funds authorized 
     under this subtitle to acquire any interest in real property.

     SEC. 2068. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

       (a) In General.--Nothing in this subtitle 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 a National Heritage Area is encouraged to consult and 
     coordinate the activities with the Secretary and the local 
     coordinating entity to the maximum extent practicable.
       (c) Other Federal Agencies.--Nothing in this subtitle--
       (1) modifies, alters, or amends any law or regulation 
     authorizing a Federal agency to manage Federal land under the 
     jurisdiction of the Federal agency;

[[Page 28201]]

       (2) limits the discretion of a Federal land manager to 
     implement an approved land use plan within the boundaries of 
     a National Heritage Area; or
       (3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized use of 
     Federal land under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency.

     SEC. 2069. PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REGULATORY PROTECTIONS.

       Nothing in this subtitle--
       (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 National Heritage Area;
       (2) requires any property owner to permit public access 
     (including access by Federal, State, Tribal, 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, Tribal, or local law;
       (3) alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved 
     land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal, 
     State, Tribal, or local agency, or conveys any land use or 
     other regulatory authority to any local coordinating entity, 
     including but not necessarily limited to development and 
     management of energy, water, or water-related infrastructure;
       (4) authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation 
     of water or water rights;
       (5) diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish 
     and wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting 
     within the National Heritage Area; or
       (6) 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. 2070. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subject to subsection 
     (b), there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
     this subtitle not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. 
     Funds so appropriated shall remain available until expended.
       (b) Limitation on Total Amounts Appropriated.--Not more 
     than $15,000,000 may be appropriated to carry out this 
     subtitle.
       (c) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--The Federal share of the 
     total cost of any activity under this subtitle shall be not 
     more than 50 percent; the non-Federal contribution may be in 
     the form of in-kind contributions of goods or services fairly 
     valued.

     SEC. 2071. USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES.

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

     SEC. 2072. SUNSET FOR GRANTS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE.

       The authority of the Secretary to provide financial 
     assistance under this subtitle terminates on the date that is 
     15 years after the date of enactment of this subtitle.

           Subtitle E--Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area

     SEC. 2081. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the 
     ``Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this 
     subtitle is as follows:

Sec. 2081. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2082. Purposes.
Sec. 2083. Definitions.
Sec. 2084. Designation of Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.
Sec. 2085. Management plan.
Sec. 2086. Evaluation; report.
Sec. 2087. Local coordinating entity.
Sec. 2088. Relationship to other Federal agencies.
Sec. 2089. Private property and regulatory protections.
Sec. 2090. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 2091. Use of Federal funds from other sources.
Sec. 2092. Sunset for grants and other assistance.

     SEC. 2082. PURPOSES.

       (a) The purposes of this subtitle include--
       (1) to recognize the significant natural and cultural 
     legacies of the area, as demonstrated in the study entitled 
     ``Feasibility Study of the Proposed Abraham Lincoln National 
     Heritage Area'' prepared for the Looking for Lincoln Heritage 
     Coalition in 2002 and revised in 2007;
       (2) to promote heritage, cultural and recreational tourism 
     and to develop educational and cultural programs for visitors 
     and the general public;
       (3) to recognize and interpret important events and 
     geographic locations representing key periods in the growth 
     of America, including Native American, Colonial American, 
     European American, and African American heritage;
       (4) to recognize and interpret the distinctive role the 
     region played in shaping the man who would become the 16th 
     President of the United States, and how Abraham Lincoln's 
     life left its traces in the stories, folklore, buildings, 
     streetscapes, and landscapes of the region;
       (5) to provide a cooperative management framework to foster 
     a close working relationship with all levels of government, 
     the private sector, and the local communities in the region 
     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; and
       (6) to provide appropriate linkages between units of the 
     National Park System and communities, governments, and 
     organizations within the Heritage Area.

     SEC. 2083. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle:
       (1) National heritage area.--The term ``National Heritage 
     Area'' means the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area 
     established in this subtitle.
       (2) Local coordinating entity.--The term ``local 
     coordinating entity'' means the Looking for Lincoln Heritage 
     Coalition, which is hereby designated by Congress--
       (A) to develop, in partnership with others, the management 
     plan for the National Heritage Area; and
       (B) to act as a catalyst for the implementation of projects 
     and programs among diverse partners in the National Heritage 
     Area.
       (3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means 
     the plan prepared by the local coordinating entity for the 
     National Heritage Area that specifies actions, policies, 
     strategies, performance goals, and recommendations to meet 
     the goals of the National Heritage Area, in accordance with 
     this subtitle.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 2084. DESIGNATION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN NATIONAL HERITAGE 
                   AREA.

       (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Abraham 
     Lincoln National Heritage Area.
       (b) Boundaries.--
       (1) In general.--The National Heritage Area shall consist 
     of sites as designated by the management plan within a core 
     area located in Central Illinois, consisting of Adams, Brown, 
     Calhoun, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Coles, 
     Cumberland, Dewitt, Douglas, Edgar, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, 
     Hancock, Henderson, Jersey, Knox, LaSalle, Logan, Macon, 
     Macoupin, Madison, Mason, McDonough, McLean, Menard, 
     Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Peoria, Piatt, Pike, Sangamon, 
     Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Tazwell, Vermillion, Warren and 
     Woodford counties.
       (2) Map.--The boundaries of the National Heritage Area 
     shall be as generally depicted on the map titled ``Proposed 
     Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area'', and numbered 338/
     80,000, and dated July 2007. The map shall be on file and 
     available to the public in the appropriate offices of the 
     National Park Service and the local coordinating entity.

     SEC. 2085. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

       (a) Requirements.--The management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area shall--
       (1) describe comprehensive policies, goals, strategies, and 
     recommendations for telling the story of the heritage of the 
     area covered by the National Heritage Area and encouraging 
     long-term resource protection, enhancement, interpretation, 
     funding, management, and development of the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (2) include a description of actions and commitments that 
     Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, private 
     organizations, and citizens will take to protect, enhance, 
     interpret, fund, manage, and develop the natural, historical, 
     cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of 
     the National Heritage Area;
       (3) specify existing and potential sources of funding or 
     economic development strategies to protect, enhance, 
     interpret, fund, manage, and develop the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (4) include an inventory of the natural, historical, 
     cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of 
     the National Heritage Area related to the national importance 
     and themes of the National Heritage Area that should be 
     protected, enhanced, interpreted, managed, funded, and 
     developed;
       (5) recommend policies and strategies for resource 
     management, including the development of intergovernmental 
     and interagency agreements to protect, enhance, interpret, 
     fund, manage, and develop the natural, historical, cultural, 
     educational, scenic, and recreational resources of the 
     National Heritage Area;
       (6) describe a program for implementation for the 
     management plan, including--
       (A) performance goals;
       (B) plans for resource protection, enhancement, 
     interpretation, funding, management, and development; and
       (C) specific commitments for implementation that have been 
     made by the local coordinating entity or any Federal, State, 
     Tribal, or local government agency, organization, business, 
     or individual;
       (7) include an analysis of, and recommendations for, means 
     by which Federal, State, Tribal, and local programs may best 
     be coordinated (including the role of the National Park 
     Service and other Federal agencies associated with the 
     National Heritage Area) to further the purposes of this 
     subtitle; and
       (8) include a business plan that--
       (A) describes the role, operation, financing, and functions 
     of the local coordinating entity and of each of the major 
     activities contained in the management plan; and
       (B) provides adequate assurances that the local 
     coordinating entity has the partnerships and financial and 
     other resources necessary to implement the management plan 
     for the National Heritage Area.
       (b) Deadline.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date on 
     which funds are first made available to develop the 
     management plan after designation as a National Heritage 
     Area, the local coordinating entity shall submit the 
     management plan to the Secretary for approval.

[[Page 28202]]

       (2) Termination of funding.--If the management plan is not 
     submitted to the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (1), 
     the local coordinating entity shall not qualify for any 
     additional financial assistance under this subtitle until 
     such time as the management plan is submitted to and approved 
     by the Secretary.
       (c) Approval of Management Plan.--
       (1) Review.--Not later than 180 days after receiving the 
     plan, the Secretary shall review and approve or disapprove 
     the management plan for a National Heritage Area on the basis 
     of the criteria established under paragraph (3).
       (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the 
     Governor of each State in which the National Heritage Area is 
     located before approving a management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area.
       (3) Criteria for approval.--In determining whether to 
     approve a management plan for a National Heritage Area, the 
     Secretary shall consider whether--
       (A) the local coordinating entity represents the diverse 
     interests of the National Heritage Area, including Federal, 
     State, Tribal, and local governments, natural, and historic 
     resource protection organizations, educational institutions, 
     businesses, recreational organizations, community residents, 
     and private property owners;
       (B) the local coordinating entity--
       (i) has afforded adequate opportunity for public and 
     Federal, State, Tribal, and local governmental involvement 
     (including through workshops and hearings) in the preparation 
     of the management plan; and
       (ii) provides for at least semiannual public meetings to 
     ensure adequate implementation of the management plan;
       (C) the resource protection, enhancement, interpretation, 
     funding, management, and development strategies described in 
     the management plan, if implemented, would adequately 
     protect, enhance, interpret, fund, manage, and develop the 
     natural, historic, cultural, educational, scenic, and 
     recreational resources of the National Heritage Area;
       (D) the management plan would not adversely affect any 
     activities authorized on Federal land under public land laws 
     or land use plans;
       (E) the local coordinating entity has demonstrated the 
     financial capability, in partnership with others, to carry 
     out the plan;
       (F) the Secretary has received adequate assurances from the 
     appropriate State, Tribal, and local officials whose support 
     is needed to ensure the effective implementation of the 
     State, Tribal, and local elements of the management plan; and
       (G) the management plan demonstrates partnerships among the 
     local coordinating entity, Federal, State, Tribal, and local 
     governments, regional planning organizations, nonprofit 
     organizations, or private sector parties for implementation 
     of the management plan.
       (4) Disapproval.--
       (A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves the 
     management plan, the Secretary--
       (i) shall advise the local coordinating entity in writing 
     of the reasons for the disapproval; and
       (ii) may make recommendations to the local coordinating 
     entity for revisions to the management plan.
       (B) Deadline.--Not later than 180 days after receiving a 
     revised management plan, the Secretary shall approve or 
     disapprove the revised management plan.
       (5) Amendments.--
       (A) In general.--An amendment to the management plan that 
     substantially alters the purposes of the National Heritage 
     Area shall be reviewed by the Secretary and approved or 
     disapproved in the same manner as the original management 
     plan.
       (B) Implementation.--The local coordinating entity shall 
     not use Federal funds authorized by this subtitle to 
     implement an amendment to the management plan until the 
     Secretary approves the amendment.
       (6) Authorities.--The Secretary may--
       (A) provide technical assistance under the authority of 
     this subtitle for the development and implementation of the 
     management plan; and
       (B) enter into cooperative agreements with interested 
     parties to carry out this subtitle.

     SEC. 2086. EVALUATION; REPORT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years before the date on 
     which authority for Federal funding terminates for the 
     National Heritage Area under this subtitle, the Secretary 
     shall--
       (1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of the 
     National 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 the authorizing 
     legislation for the National Heritage Area; and
       (B) achieving the goals and objectives of the approved 
     management plan for the National Heritage Area;
       (2) analyze the Federal, State, Tribal, and local, and 
     private investments in the National Heritage Area to 
     determine the impact of the investments; and
       (3) review the management structure, partnership 
     relationships, and funding of the National Heritage Area for 
     purposes of identifying the critical components for 
     sustainability of the National Heritage Area.
       (c) Report.--Based on the evaluation conducted under 
     subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall submit a report to the 
     Committee on Natural Resources of the United States House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the United States Senate. The report shall 
     include recommendations for the future role of the National 
     Park Service, if any, with respect to the National Heritage 
     Area.

     SEC. 2087. LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.

       (a) Duties.--To further the purposes of the National 
     Heritage Area, the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition, as 
     the local coordinating entity, shall--
       (1) prepare a management plan for the National Heritage 
     Area, and submit the management plan to the Secretary, in 
     accordance with this subtitle;
       (2) submit an annual report to the secretary for each 
     fiscal year for which the local coordinating entity receives 
     Federal funds under this subtitle, specifying--
       (A) the specific performance goals and accomplishments of 
     the local coordinating entity;
       (B) the expenses and income of the local coordinating 
     entity;
       (C) the amounts and sources of matching funds;
       (D) the amounts leveraged with Federal funds and sources of 
     the leveraging; and
       (E) grants made to any other entities during the fiscal 
     year;
       (3) make available for audit for each fiscal year for which 
     the local coordinating entity receives Federal funds under 
     this subtitle, all information pertaining to the expenditure 
     of the funds and any matching funds; and
       (4) encourage economic viability and sustainability that is 
     consistent with the purposes of the National Heritage Area.
       (b) Authorities.--For the purposes of preparing and 
     implementing the approved management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity may use Federal 
     funds made available under this subtitle to--
       (1) make grants to political jurisdictions, nonprofit 
     organizations, and other parties within the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (2) enter into cooperative agreements with or provide 
     technical assistance to political jurisdictions, nonprofit 
     organizations, Federal agencies, and other interested 
     parties;
       (3) hire and compensate staff, including individuals with 
     expertise in--
       (A) natural, historical, cultural, educational, scenic, and 
     recreational resource conservation;
       (B) economic and community development; and
       (C) heritage planning;
       (4) obtain funds or services from any source, including 
     other Federal programs;
       (5) contract for goods or services; and
       (6) support activities of partners and any other activities 
     that further the purposes of the National Heritage Area and 
     are consistent with the approved management plan.
       (c) Prohibition on Acquisition of Real Property.--The local 
     coordinating entity may not use Federal funds authorized 
     under this subtitle to acquire any interest in real property.

     SEC. 2088. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

       (a) In General.--Nothing in this subtitle 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 a National Heritage Area is encouraged to consult and 
     coordinate the activities with the Secretary and the local 
     coordinating entity to the maximum extent practicable.
       (c) Other Federal Agencies.--Nothing in this subtitle--
       (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 
     a National Heritage Area; or
       (3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized use of 
     Federal land under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency.

     SEC. 2089. PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REGULATORY PROTECTIONS.

       Nothing in this subtitle--
       (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 National Heritage Area;
       (2) requires any property owner to permit public access 
     (including access by Federal, State, Tribal, 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, Tribal, or local law;
       (3) alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved 
     land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal, 
     State, Tribal, or local agency, or conveys any land use or 
     other regulatory authority to any local coordinating entity, 
     including but not necessarily limited to development and 
     management of energy, water, or water-related infrastructure;
       (4) authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation 
     of water or water rights;
       (5) diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish 
     and wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting 
     within the National Heritage Area; or
       (6) 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. 2090. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subject to subsection 
     (b), there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
     this subtitle not

[[Page 28203]]

     more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. Funds so 
     appropriated shall remain available until expended.
       (b) Limitation on Total Amounts Appropriated.--Not more 
     than $15,000,000 may be appropriated to carry out this 
     subtitle.
       (c) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--The Federal share of the 
     total cost of any activity under this subtitle shall be not 
     more than 50 percent; the non-Federal contribution may be in 
     the form of in-kind contributions of goods or services fairly 
     valued.

     SEC. 2091. USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES.

       Nothing in this subtitle shall preclude the local 
     coordinating entity from using Federal funds available under 
     other laws for the purposes for which those funds were 
     authorized.

     SEC. 2092. SUNSET FOR GRANTS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE.

       The authority of the Secretary to provide financial 
     assistance under this subtitle terminates on the date that is 
     15 years after the date of the enactment of this subtitle.

          Subtitle F--Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

     SEC. 2111. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the ``Santa 
     Cruz Valley National Heritage Area Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this 
     subtitle is as follows:

Sec. 2111. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2112. Purposes.
Sec. 2113. Definitions.
Sec. 2114. Designation of Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area.
Sec. 2115. Management plan.
Sec. 2116. Evaluation; report.
Sec. 2117. Local coordinating entity.
Sec. 2118. Relationship to other Federal agencies.
Sec. 2119. Private property and regulatory protections.
Sec. 2120. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 2121. Use of Federal funds from other sources.
Sec. 2122. Sunset for grants and other assistance.

     SEC. 2112. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this subtitle include--
       (1) to establish the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage 
     Area in the State of Arizona;
       (2) to implement the recommendations of the ``Alternative 
     Concepts for Commemorating Spanish Colonization'' study 
     completed by the National Park Service in 1991, and the 
     ``Feasibility Study for the Santa Cruz Valley National 
     Heritage Area'' prepared by the Center for Desert Archaeology 
     in July 2005;
       (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 region and 
     to conserve the region's heritage while continuing to pursue 
     compatible economic opportunities;
       (4) to assist communities, organizations, and citizens in 
     the State of Arizona 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; and
       (5) to provide appropriate linkages between units of the 
     National Park System and communities, governments, and 
     organizations within the National Heritage Area.

     SEC. 2113. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle:
       (1) National heritage area.--The term ``National Heritage 
     Area'' means the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area 
     established in this subtitle.
       (2) Local coordinating entity.--The term ``local 
     coordinating entity'' means the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage 
     Alliance, Inc., which is hereby designated by Congress--
       (A) to develop, in partnership with others, the management 
     plan for the National Heritage Area; and
       (B) to act as a catalyst for the implementation of projects 
     and programs among diverse partners in the National Heritage 
     Area.
       (3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means 
     the plan prepared by the local coordinating entity for the 
     National Heritage Area that specifies actions, policies, 
     strategies, performance goals, and recommendations to meet 
     the goals of the National Heritage Area, in accordance with 
     this subtitle.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 2114. DESIGNATION OF SANTA CRUZ VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE 
                   AREA.

       (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Santa 
     Cruz Valley National Heritage Area.
       (b) Boundaries.--
       (1) In general.--The National Heritage Area shall consist 
     of portions of the counties of Santa Cruz and Pima.
       (2) Map.--The boundaries of the National Heritage Area 
     shall be as generally depicted on the map titled ``Santa Cruz 
     Valley National Heritage Area'', and numbered _______, and 
     dated _______. The map be on file and available to the public 
     in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service and 
     the local coordinating entity.

     SEC. 2115. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

       (a) Requirements.--The management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area shall--
       (1) describe comprehensive policies, goals, strategies, and 
     recommendations for telling the story of the heritage of the 
     area covered by the National Heritage Area and encouraging 
     long-term resource protection, enhancement, interpretation, 
     funding, management, and development of the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (2) include a description of actions and commitments that 
     Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, private 
     organizations, and citizens will take to protect, enhance, 
     interpret, fund, manage, and develop the natural, historical, 
     cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of 
     the National Heritage Area;
       (3) specify existing and potential sources of funding or 
     economic development strategies to protect, enhance, 
     interpret, fund, manage, and develop the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (4) include an inventory of the natural, historical, 
     cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of 
     the National Heritage Area related to the national importance 
     and themes of the National Heritage Area that should be 
     protected, enhanced, interpreted, managed, funded, and 
     developed;
       (5) recommend policies and strategies for resource 
     management, including the development of intergovernmental 
     and interagency agreements to protect, enhance, interpret, 
     fund, manage, and develop the natural, historical, cultural, 
     educational, scenic, and recreational resources of the 
     National Heritage Area;
       (6) describe a program for implementation for the 
     management plan, including--
       (A) performance goals;
       (B) plans for resource protection, enhancement, 
     interpretation, funding, management, and development; and
       (C) specific commitments for implementation that have been 
     made by the local coordinating entity or any Federal, State, 
     Tribal, or local government agency, organization, business, 
     or individual;
       (7) include an analysis of, and recommendations for, means 
     by which Federal, State, Tribal, and local programs may best 
     be coordinated (including the role of the National Park 
     Service and other Federal agencies associated with the 
     National Heritage Area) to further the purposes of this 
     subtitle; and
       (8) include a business plan that--
       (A) describes the role, operation, financing, and functions 
     of the local coordinating entity and of each of the major 
     activities contained in the management plan; and
       (B) provides adequate assurances that the local 
     coordinating entity has the partnerships and financial and 
     other resources necessary to implement the management plan 
     for the National Heritage Area.
       (b) Deadline.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date on 
     which funds are first made available to develop the 
     management plan after designation as a National Heritage 
     Area, the local coordinating entity shall submit the 
     management plan to the Secretary for approval.
       (2) Termination of funding.--If the management plan is not 
     submitted to the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (1), 
     the local coordinating entity shall not qualify for any 
     additional financial assistance under this subtitle until 
     such time as the management plan is submitted to and approved 
     by the Secretary.
       (c) Approval of Management Plan.--
       (1) Review.--Not later than 180 days after receiving the 
     plan, the Secretary shall review and approve or disapprove 
     the management plan for a National Heritage Area on the basis 
     of the criteria established under paragraph (3).
       (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the 
     Governor of each State in which the National Heritage Area is 
     located before approving a management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area.
       (3) Criteria for approval.--In determining whether to 
     approve a management plan for a National Heritage Area, the 
     Secretary shall consider whether--
       (A) the local coordinating entity represents the diverse 
     interests of the National Heritage Area, including Federal, 
     State, Tribal, and local governments, natural and historic 
     resource protection organizations, educational institutions, 
     businesses, recreational organizations, community residents, 
     and private property owners;
       (B) the local coordinating entity--
       (i) has afforded adequate opportunity for public and 
     Federal, State, Tribal, and local governmental involvement 
     (including through workshops and hearings) in the preparation 
     of the management plan; and
       (ii) provides for at least semiannual public meetings to 
     ensure adequate implementation of the management plan;
       (C) the resource protection, enhancement, interpretation, 
     funding, management, and development strategies described in 
     the management plan, if implemented, would adequately 
     protect, enhance, interpret, fund, manage, and develop the 
     natural, historic, cultural, educational, scenic, and 
     recreational resources of the National Heritage Area;
       (D) the management plan would not adversely affect any 
     activities authorized on Federal land under public land laws 
     or land use plans;
       (E) the local coordinating entity has demonstrated the 
     financial capability, in partnership with others, to carry 
     out the plan;
       (F) the Secretary has received adequate assurances from the 
     appropriate State, Tribal, and local officials whose support 
     is needed to ensure the effective implementation of the 
     State, Tribal, and local elements of the management plan; and
       (G) the management plan demonstrates partnerships among the 
     local coordinating entity, Federal, State, Tribal, and local 
     governments, regional planning organizations, nonprofit 
     organizations, or private sector parties for implementation 
     of the management plan.

[[Page 28204]]

       (4) Disapproval.--
       (A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves the 
     management plan, the Secretary--
       (i) shall advise the local coordinating entity in writing 
     of the reasons for the disapproval; and
       (ii) may make recommendations to the local coordinating 
     entity for revisions to the management plan.
       (B) Deadline.--Not later than 180 days after receiving a 
     revised management plan, the Secretary shall approve or 
     disapprove the revised management plan.
       (5) Amendments.--
       (A) In general.--An amendment to the management plan that 
     substantially alters the purposes of the National Heritage 
     Area shall be reviewed by the Secretary and approved or 
     disapproved in the same manner as the original management 
     plan.
       (B) Implementation.--The local coordinating entity shall 
     not use Federal funds authorized by this subtitle to 
     implement an amendment to the management plan until the 
     Secretary approves the amendment.
       (6) Authorities.--The Secretary may--
       (A) provide technical assistance under the authority of 
     this subtitle for the development and implementation of the 
     management plan; and
       (B) enter into cooperative agreements with interested 
     parties to carry out this subtitle.

     SEC. 2116. EVALUATION; REPORT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years before the date on 
     which authority for Federal funding terminates for the 
     National Heritage Area under this subtitle, the Secretary 
     shall--
       (1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of the 
     National 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 the authorizing 
     legislation for the National Heritage Area; and
       (B) achieving the goals and objectives of the approved 
     management plan for the National Heritage Area;
       (2) analyze the Federal, State, Tribal, and local, and 
     private investments in the National Heritage Area to 
     determine the impact of the investments; and
       (3) review the management structure, partnership 
     relationships, and funding of the National Heritage Area for 
     purposes of identifying the critical components for 
     sustainability of the National Heritage Area.
       (c) Report.--Based on the evaluation conducted under 
     subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall submit a report to the 
     Committee on Natural Resources of the United States House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the United States Senate. The report shall 
     include recommendations for the future role of the National 
     Park Service, if any, with respect to the National Heritage 
     Area.

     SEC. 2117. LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.

       (a) Duties.--To further the purposes of the National 
     Heritage Area, the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance, Inc., 
     as the local coordinating entity, shall--
       (1) prepare a management plan for the National Heritage 
     Area, and submit the management plan to the Secretary, in 
     accordance with this subtitle;
       (2) submit an annual report to the Secretary for each 
     fiscal year for which the local coordinating entity receives 
     Federal funds under this subtitle, specifying--
       (A) the specific performance goals and accomplishments of 
     the local coordinating entity;
       (B) the expenses and income of the local coordinating 
     entity;
       (C) the amounts and sources of matching funds;
       (D) the amounts leveraged with Federal funds and sources of 
     the leveraging; and
       (E) grants made to any other entities during the fiscal 
     year;
       (3) make available for audit for each fiscal year for which 
     the local coordinating entity receives Federal funds under 
     this subtitle, all information pertaining to the expenditure 
     of the funds and any matching funds; and
       (4) encourage economic viability and sustainability that is 
     consistent with the purposes of the National Heritage Area.
       (b) Authorities.--For the purposes of preparing and 
     implementing the approved management plan for the National 
     Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity may use Federal 
     funds made available under this subtitle to--
       (1) make grants to political jurisdictions, nonprofit 
     organizations, and other parties within the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (2) enter into cooperative agreements with or provide 
     technical assistance to political jurisdictions, nonprofit 
     organizations, Federal agencies, and other interested 
     parties;
       (3) hire and compensate staff, including individuals with 
     expertise in--
       (A) natural, historical, cultural, educational, scenic, and 
     recreational resource conservation;
       (B) economic and community development; and
       (C) heritage planning;
       (4) obtain funds or services from any source, including 
     other Federal programs;
       (5) contract for goods or services; and
       (6) support activities of partners and any other activities 
     that further the purposes of the National Heritage Area and 
     are consistent with the approved management plan.
       (c) Prohibition on Acquisition of Real Property.--The local 
     coordinating entity may not use Federal funds authorized 
     under this subtitle to acquire any interest in real property.

     SEC. 2118. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

       (a) In General.--Nothing in this subtitle 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 a National Heritage Area is encouraged to consult and 
     coordinate the activities with the Secretary and the local 
     coordinating entity to the maximum extent practicable.
       (c) Other Federal Agencies.--Nothing in this subtitle--
       (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 
     a National Heritage Area; or
       (3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized use of 
     Federal land under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency.

     SEC. 2119. PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REGULATORY PROTECTIONS.

       Nothing in this subtitle--
       (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 National Heritage Area;
       (2) requires any property owner to permit public access 
     (including access by Federal, State, Tribal, 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, Tribal, or local law;
       (3) alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved 
     land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal, 
     State, Tribal, or local agency, or conveys any land use or 
     other regulatory authority to any local coordinating entity, 
     including but not necessarily limited to development and 
     management of energy, water, or water-related infrastructure;
       (4) authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation 
     of water or water rights;
       (5) diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish 
     and wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting 
     within the National Heritage Area; or
       (6) 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. 2120. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subject to subsection 
     (b), there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
     this subtitle not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. 
     Funds so appropriated shall remain available until expended.
       (b) Limitation on Total Amounts Appropriated.--Not more 
     than $15,000,000 may be appropriated to carry out this 
     subtitle.
       (c) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--The Federal share of the 
     total cost of any activity under this subtitle shall be not 
     more than 50 percent; the non-Federal contribution may be in 
     the form of in-kind contributions of goods or services fairly 
     valued.

     SEC. 2121. USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES.

       Nothing in this subtitle shall preclude the local 
     coordinating entity from using Federal funds available under 
     other laws for the purposes for which those funds were 
     authorized.

     SEC. 2122. SUNSET FOR GRANTS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE.

       The authority of the Secretary to provide financial 
     assistance under this subtitle terminates on the date that is 
     15 years after the date of enactment of this subtitle.

                            TITLE III--STUDY

     SEC. 3001. STUDY AND REPORT OF PROPOSED NORTHERN NECK 
                   NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

       (a) The Secretary of the Interior (hereafter referred to as 
     ``the Secretary''), in consultation with appropriate State 
     historic preservation officers, State historical societies, 
     and other appropriate organizations, shall conduct a study of 
     the suitability and feasibility of designating the area 
     described in subsection (d) as the Northern Neck National 
     Heritage Area in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
       (b) Criteria.--In conducting the study, the Secretary shall 
     apply the following criteria to determine the suitability and 
     feasibility of designating the area described in subsection 
     (d) as a National Heritage Area:
       (1) The area--
       (A) has an assemblage of natural, historic, cultural, 
     educational, scenic, or recreational resources that together 
     are nationally important to the heritage of the United 
     States;
       (B) represents distinctive aspects of the heritage of the 
     United States worthy of recognition, conservation, 
     interpretation, and continuing use;
       (C) is best managed as such an assemblage through 
     partnerships among public and private entities at the local 
     or regional level;
       (D) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife 
     that are a valuable part of the heritage of the United 
     States;
       (E) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve natural, 
     historical, cultural, or scenic features;
       (F) provides outstanding recreational or educational 
     opportunities; and

[[Page 28205]]

       (G) has resources and traditional uses that have national 
     importance.
       (2) Residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations, 
     and governments (including relevant Federal land management 
     agencies) within the proposed area are involved in the 
     planning and have demonstrated significant support through 
     letters and other means for National Heritage Area 
     designation and management.
       (3) The local coordinating entity responsible for preparing 
     and implementing the management plan is identified.
       (4) The proposed local coordinating entity and units of 
     government supporting the designation have documented their 
     commitment to work in partnership to protect, enhance, 
     interpret, fund, manage, and develop resources within the 
     National Heritage Area.
       (5) The proposed local coordinating entity has developed a 
     conceptual financial plan that outlines the roles of all 
     participants (including the Federal Government) in the 
     management of the National Heritage Area.
       (6) The proposal is consistent with continued economic 
     activity within the area.
       (7) A conceptual boundary map has been developed and is 
     supported by the public and participating Federal agencies.
       (c) Consultation.--In conducting the study, the Secretary 
     shall consult with the managers of any Federal land within 
     the proposed National Heritage Area and secure the 
     concurrence of the managers with the findings of the study 
     before making a determination for designation.
       (d) Boundaries of the Study Area.--The study area referred 
     to in subsection (a) shall be comprised of the following:
       (1) The part of Virginia between the Potomac and the 
     Rappahannock Rivers in eastern coastal Virginia.
       (2) Westmoreland, Northumberland, Richmond, King George, 
     and Lancaster Counties, Virginia.
       (3) Other areas that have heritage aspects that are similar 
     to those aspects that are in the areas described in 
     paragraphs (1) and (2) and which are adjacent to or in the 
     vicinity of those areas.
       (e) Report.--The Secretary shall
       (1) review, comment on, and determine if the study meets 
     the criteria specified in subsection (b) for designation as a 
     National Heritage Area;
       (2) consult with the Governor of the Commonwealth of 
     Virginia; and
       (3) not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which 
     funds are first made available for this section, submit to 
     the Committee on Natural 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 of the study, including--
       (A) any comments received from the Governor of the 
     Commonwealth of Virginia; and
       (B) a finding as to whether the proposed National Heritage 
     Area meets the criteria for designation.
       (f) Disapproval.--If the Secretary determines that the 
     proposed National Heritage Area does not meet the criteria 
     for designation, the Secretary shall include within the study 
     submitted under subsection (e)(3) a description of the 
     reasons for the determination.

             TITLE IV--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS

     SEC. 4001. NATIONAL COAL HERITAGE AREA TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

       Title I of Division II of the Omnibus Parks and Public 
     Lands Management Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-333 as amended 
     by Public Law 106-176 and Public Law 109-338) is amended--
       (1) by striking section 103(b) and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Boundaries.--The National Coal Heritage Area shall be 
     comprised of Lincoln County, West Virginia, and Paint Creek 
     and Cabin Creek within Kanawah County, West Virginia, and the 
     counties that are the subject of the study by the National 
     Park Service, dated 1993, entitled `A Coal Mining Heritage 
     Study: Southern West Virginia' conducted pursuant to title VI 
     of Public Law 100-699.'';
       (2) by striking section 105 and inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 105. ELIGIBLE RESOURCES.

       ``(a) In General.--The resources eligible for the 
     assistance under section 104 shall include--
       ``(1) resources in Lincoln County, West Virginia, and Paint 
     Creek and Cabin Creek in Kanawah County, West Virginia, as 
     determined to be appropriate by the National Coal Heritage 
     Area Authority; and
       ``(2) the resources set forth in appendix D of the study by 
     the National Park Service, dated 1993, entitled `A Coal 
     Mining Heritage Study: Southern West Virginia' conducted 
     pursuant to title VI of Public Law 100-699.
       ``(b) Priority.--Priority consideration shall be given to 
     those sites listed as `Conservation Priorities' and 
     `Important Historic Resources' as depicted on the map 
     entitled `Study Area: Historic Resources' in such study.'';
       (3) in section 106(a)--
       (A) by striking ``Governor'' and all that follows through 
     ``Parks,'' and inserting ``National Coal Heritage Area 
     Authority''; and
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``State of West 
     Virginia'' and all that follows through ``entities, or'' and 
     inserting ``National Coal Heritage Area Authority or''; and
       (4) in section 106(b), by inserting ``not'' before 
     ``meet''.

     SEC. 4002. RIVERS OF STEEL NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ADDITION.

       Section 403(b) of title IV of Division II of the Omnibus 
     Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 (Public Law 
     104-333) is amended by inserting ``Butler,'' after 
     ``Beaver,''.

     SEC. 4003. SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR 
                   ADDITION.

       Section 604(b)(2) of title VI of Division II of the Omnibus 
     Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
       ``(O) Berkeley County.
       ``(P) Saluda County.
       ``(Q) The portion of Georgetown County that is not part of 
     the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.''.

     SEC. 4004. OHIO AND ERIE CANAL NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR 
                   TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

       Title VIII of Division II of the Omnibus Parks and Public 
     Lands Management Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-333) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``Canal National Heritage Corridor'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``National Heritage 
     Canalway'';
       (2) by striking ``corridor'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``canalway'', except in references to the 
     feasibility study and management plan;
       (3) in the heading of section 808(a)(3), by striking 
     ``corridor'' and inserting ``canalway'';
       (4) in the title heading, by striking ``CANAL NATIONAL 
     HERITAGE CORRIDOR'' and inserting ``NATIONAL HERITAGE 
     CANALWAY'';
       (5) in section 803--
       (A) by striking paragraph (2);
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7) 
     as paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6), respectively;
       (C) in paragraph (2) (as redesignated by this Act), by 
     striking ``808'' and inserting ``806''; and
       (D) in paragraph (6) (as redesignated by this Act), by 
     striking ``807(a)'' and inserting ``805(a)'';
       (6) in the heading of section 804, by striking ``CANAL 
     NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR'' and inserting ``NATIONAL 
     HERITAGE CANALWAY'';
       (7) in the second sentence of section 804(b)(1), by 
     striking ``808'' and inserting ``806'';
       (8) by striking sections 805 and 806;
       (9) by redesignating sections 807, 808, 809, 810, 811, and 
     812 as sections 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, and 810, 
     respectively;
       (10) in section 805(c)(2) (as redesignated by this Act), by 
     striking ``808'' and inserting ``806'';
       (11) in section 806 (as redesignated by this Act)--
       (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``Committee'' and 
     inserting ``Secretary'';
       (B) in the heading of subsection (a)(1), by striking 
     ``committee'' and inserting ``secretary'';
       (C) in subsection (a)(3), in the first sentence of 
     subparagraph (B), by striking ``Committee'' and inserting 
     ``management entity'';
       (D) in subsection (e), by striking ``807(d)(1)'' and 
     inserting ``805(d)(1)''; and
       (E) in subsection (f), by striking ``807(d)(1)'' and 
     inserting ``805(d)(1)'';
       (12) in section 807 (as redesignated by this Act), in 
     subsection (c) by striking ``Cayohoga Valley National 
     Recreation Area'' and inserting ``Cayohoga Valley National 
     Park'';
       (13) in section 808 (as redesignated by this Act)--
       (A) in subsection (b), by striking ``Committee or''; and
       (B) in subsection (c), in the matter before paragraph (1), 
     by striking ``Committee'' and inserting ``management 
     entity''; and
       (14) in section 809 (as redesignated by Act), by striking 
     ``assistance'' and inserting ``financial assistance''.

     SEC. 4005. NEW JERSEY COASTAL HERITAGE TRAIL ROUTE EXTENSION 
                   OF AUTHORIZATION.

       Section 6 of Public Law 100-515 (16 U.S.C. 1244 note) is 
     amended as follows:
       (1) Strike paragraph (1) of subsection (b) and insert the 
     following new paragraph:
       ``(1) In general.--Amounts made available under subsection 
     (a) shall be used only for--
       ``(A) technical assistance;
       ``(B) the design and fabrication of interpretive materials, 
     devices, and signs; and
       ``(C) the preparation of the strategic plan.''.
       (2) Paragraph (3) of subsection (b) is amended by inserting 
     after subparagraph (B) a new subparagraph as follows:
       ``(C) Notwithstanding paragraph (3)(A), funds made 
     available under subsection (a) for the preparation of the 
     strategic plan shall not require a non-Federal match.''.
       (3) Subsection (c) is amended by striking ``2007'' and 
     inserting ``2011''.

     SEC. 4006. ERIE CANALWAY NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR TECHNICAL 
                   CORRECTIONS.

       The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Act (title 
     VIII of Appendix D of Public Law 106-554, 114 Stat. 2763A-
     295) is amended--
       (1) in section 804(b)--
       (A) by striking ``27'' and inserting ``at least 21 members, 
     but not to exceed 27'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``Environment'' and 
     inserting ``Environmental'';
       (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``19'';
       (D) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) by striking subparagraph (A) and redesignating 
     subsequent subparagraphs accordingly;
       (ii) in subparagraph (B) (as redesignated by clause (i)), 
     by striking the second sentence; and
       (iii) by adding after subparagraph (B) the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(C) The remaining members shall be based on 
     recommendations from each member of the United States House 
     of Representatives whose district encompasses the Corridor, 
     each of whom shall be a resident of or employed within the

[[Page 28206]]

     district from which they shall be recommended.'';
       (2) in section 804(f), by striking ``Fourteen members of 
     the Commission'' and inserting ``A majority of the seated 
     (sworn) Commissioners'';
       (3) in section 804(g), by striking ``14 of its members.'' 
     and inserting ``a majority of the seated (sworn) 
     Commissioners.'';
       (4) in section 804(h)(4), by striking ``staff to carry out 
     its duties;'' and inserting ``such staff as may be necessary 
     to carry out its duties. Staff appointed by the Commission--
       ``(A) may be appointed subject to the provisions of title 
     5, United States Code, governing appointments in the 
     competitive service; and
       ``(B) may be paid in accordance with the provisions of 
     chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title 
     relating to the classification and General Schedule pay 
     rates;'';
       (5) in section 804(j), by striking ``10 years after the 
     date of enactment of this title'' and inserting ``15 years 
     after the date of the enactment of this title'';
       (6) in section 807(e), by striking ``duties with regard to 
     the preparation and approval of the Canalway Plan.'' and 
     inserting ``duties.'';
       (7) in section 807, by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Operational Assistance.--Subject to the availability 
     of appropriations, the Superintendent of Saratoga National 
     Historical Park may, on request, provide to public and 
     private organizations in the Heritage Area, including the 
     Commission, any operational assistance that is appropriate 
     for the purpose of supporting the implementation of the 
     management plan.''; and
       (8) in section 810(a)(1), by inserting after the first 
     sentence: ``Such sums shall remain available until 
     expended.''.

              TITLE V--SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING FUNDING

     SEC. 5001. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING FUNDING.

       It is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government 
     should not fund a national heritage area in perpetuity.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. 
Rahall) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) each will control 30 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from West Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. RAHALL. 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, H.R. 1483.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from West Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today, as America continues to grapple with the war and 
citizens throughout these United States deal with their daily 
struggles, I think it is important for us to harken back to our 
heritage and to celebrate our culture.
  From the coalfields of southern West Virginia to the Land of Lincoln 
in Illinois; from the awesome beauty of Niagara Falls to the Muscle 
Shoals of Alabama; from the hallowed ground of the Virginia Piedmont, 
where battles were fought to unify this Nation, to the Santa Cruz 
Valley of New Mexico, this is the fabric of America. This is her 
heartbeat. Let us take time to listen to it and to celebrate it.
  The legislation we are considering today was introduced by my friend 
and colleague, the gentleman from Ohio, Representative Ralph Regula, 
who has been a strong and effective advocate for heritage areas, not 
only in the area he represents but also throughout the country, and I 
commend and salute him for that leadership.
  Heritage areas help to preserve and interpret the geological history, 
the natural history and the human history of an area in a comprehensive 
fashion so that we and our children will better understand how our land 
has shaped our history and how our history has shaped our land.
  National heritage areas are local community-driven preservation 
projects. Most of them arise out of the concerns of a core group of 
committed, local folks who want to work together to preserve the places 
and resources that make their country or town or region unique. These 
citizens bring their proposals to their elected representatives in 
Congress because they need technical and planning assistance from their 
government and matching funds to use as seed money to help get their 
program off the ground.
  Now, 23 years after the first national heritage area was designated, 
the program is at a crossroads. The Congress can either provide the 
program with the tools and support it needs to continue, maturing into 
a successful preservation model, or the Congress can turn our backs on 
heritage areas and leave local communities to fend for themselves as 
they try to save those things that make them special, that make America 
special.
  We are moving this legislation today because we support national 
heritage areas and we want to see them succeed. Ever since Congress 
established the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor 
in 1984, heritage tourism has been growing, and today it is a 
significant economic engine. These areas are worthwhile, not only as a 
way to help local economies, but also as a crucial tool for preserving 
our communities' and our people's links to the past.
  By providing Federal recognition and financial support, we encourage 
preservation and interpretation of important periods in our Nation's 
history in a way that traditional units of the national park system 
cannot do.

                              {time}  1030

  Our initial investment ``primes the pump,'' if you will, and ensures 
that those areas get a solid start toward financial and operational 
independence. Given that each Federal dollar is matched by local funds, 
the Federal investment in the heritage area program is money well 
spent.
  In addressing the Rules Committee Monday, my colleague Mr. Regula 
noted that the $8 million made in his heritage area has yielded more 
than $270 million in non-Federal funding. For affected local 
communities, heritage areas are a program that works.
  H.R. 1483, as amended, would establish six new heritage areas, 
increase the funding authorization for nonexisting areas, and make 
mostly technical changes in the establishing legislation for several of 
those areas. The bill also includes a study of the Northern Neck of 
Virginia, requested by our late colleague, Representative Jo Ann Davis.
  Bringing this bill before the House today responds to the frequent 
and energetic requests of numerous Members on both sides of the aisle, 
Republicans and Democrats. In total, H.R. 1483 includes bills that are 
cosponsored by dozens of Members in both parties, including the entire 
House delegation in Illinois and New Jersey.
  We also had very helpful input from the administration on this 
legislation, including detailed studies of the suitability of each new 
heritage area. Most of the changes being made to existing heritage 
areas were added at the request of the National Park Service.
  This is a good bill, Mr. Speaker, and I want to commend the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. Regula) for his commitment and leadership on heritage 
areas. We support passage of H.R. 1483 and urge its adoption by the 
House today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I am actually saddened to rise today 
on this particular bill. The 16 heritage areas that are either existing 
or proposed, many of them are very good, things that I would readily 
support.
  Unfortunately, they have been packaged into what the government book 
my high school students read called ``A Christmas Tree'' in a very real 
way, in which bad proposals can be packaged around the few good 
proposals that are in here in hopes that people will tolerate the bad 
in hopes of getting a favorable recommendation from the good. My State 
and most State legislatures would never have tolerated this type of 
bill. This bill would be split up in our State so that each proposal 
would stand on its own merits and go up or down. Unfortunately, we do 
not use that procedure here. We ought to, but we do not.
  Even in areas where something like an appropriation can be justified 
by lumping things together, in an authorization, it should not. That is 
why I rise in opposition to H.R. 1483.
  When this bill was originally introduced, it was to reauthorize nine 
heritage areas, giving each an additional $10

[[Page 28207]]

million. Since the reauthorization on these nine original areas doesn't 
lapse until 2012, 5 years hence, it is interesting why we are taking 
the time now to revisit these particular areas. Even though some of 
these areas are simple technical corrections and changes, for most it 
appears that the reason we're doing it again is because they have gone 
through their money and they want more.
  It is difficult when the process of a heritage area is supposed to 
become self-sufficient. It is an affront to heritage areas that are 
trying to become self-sufficient and break themselves from Federal 
dependence.
  In 1994 when these same nine areas were being discussed, the Democrat 
hero of heritage areas, the advocate, the chairman of the then 
subcommittee, the late Bruce Vento stated: ``There is a limit to the 
length of time or the amount of money the Federal Government can be in 
a heritage area.'' Not totally grammatical, but you get the point of 
what he was trying to say.
  He went on to say: ``In 10 years, we are out of there. Then they are 
on their own and we get the benefit of that conservation.''
  Thirteen years later, that has not been the case. In fact, it has 
been said that for every dollar spent on these heritage areas, there is 
$10 to $20 from the private sector that comes back. It sounds like a 
great return on our investment if it could be independently verified.
  In fact, during the hearings on this bill, the National Park Service 
testified that no heritage area has become self-sufficient. 
Unfortunately, it gets worse.
  The Heritage Area Alliance, the association which represents all 
heritage areas, has told us in committee hearing that they should never 
become self-sufficient and they should always rely on continuous 
Federal appropriations for every heritage area. In fact, the Heritage 
Area Alliance has become a cottage industry where groups get grants 
from the Federal Government to go around telling other people how to 
get more grants from the Federal Government. And this performance we 
are now wishing to reward. While a public-private partnership can yield 
positive results, this program has taken on a life of its own.
  In the Resources Committee, the bill was amended to cut back 
additional funds to existing heritage areas from $10 million to $5 
million. I compliment Chairman Grijalva for his amendment and the 
chairman of the full committee for accepting it. It is like taking the 
balls off the bottom branches of the Christmas tree so the cat won't 
play with them.
  And after taking that positive step, they reverse course and tacked 
on six new heritage areas. They have had hearings, but in fairness, 
only one has gone through the regular order that the chairman of the 
full committee established when we first met this year.
  The Democrats also decided to make changes that were never part of 
the hearing. The new heritage areas will now receive $15 million each, 
up from the $10 million that they requested. It is great and lucky to 
receive a 50 percent bonus without asking for it. This gracious move by 
the Democrats means the total cost of this bill is now $135 million. 
Some of our committees thought that was a paltry sum. But $135 million 
is the total annual Federal income tax paid by 33,276 middle-class 
taxpayers. And this is how we are being responsible for their 
particular money.
  We have some problems concerning some of the subtitles included in 
this new omnibus Christmas tree bill.
  A journey through Hallowed Ground Heritage Area has been diligently 
sought by my colleague from Virginia (Mr. Wolf). I commend him for his 
dedication to this cause, and there is much of his proposed area that I 
like and I applaud. However, one of the problems still is there are 
issues that still persist. There is both support and opposition within 
this proposed area. Two of our colleagues have asked their particular 
congressional districts be removed from this designation. In committee, 
an amendment was offered to remove their districts, but it was 
rejected. And because this is a closed rule, our colleagues do not have 
the opportunity of coming down here and on the floor of the House 
presenting their reasons why they wish to be withdrawn from this 
particular district.
  We should not take Federal designations lightly. When we create a 
Federal designation, a Member who is opposed to that should be 
respected in his particular wishes. We were told this would disrupt the 
continuity of this heritage area. Well, this heritage area spans four 
States and it is supposed to still be locally operated. One must ask 
how a Virginia-based management entity will represent the local 
interests of 4 States. It is a legitimate question, but the bottom line 
is we still should respect our colleagues' privilege to represent their 
constituencies.
  There has been criticism that private property protections in this 
bill are inadequate. The majority claims that the protections in this 
bill are sufficient because it states that participation is voluntary. 
Voluntary.
  If two of our Members want to voluntarily opt out of this particular 
bill and are not allowed to do so, how will any property owner sitting 
in one of these new proposed districts get any kind of confidence that 
they are safe when it is not voluntary for any Member to remove their 
districts from these types of recommendations?
  In the Resources Committee, I offered an amendment that would have 
simply provided for the right of private property owners to withdraw 
their land from a heritage area boundary. This is the exact same 
provision that has been on the 12 prior heritage areas. This is the 
same provision that Mr. Wolf added in his bill and was taken out by the 
committee even though he objected to the removal of that language from 
his own particular provision. Why are we treating these heritage areas 
different than the precedent we established for the other heritage 
areas? It is not an additional burden to the management. It would go a 
long way to assuring constituents that their rights would be protected. 
Unfortunately, the amendment was defeated again because the Democrats 
claim that their language was sufficient, an argument that has proved 
inaccurate on other occasions. In light of the infamous Kelo decision, 
we need to be extra cautious in the House when we deliberate on 
property rights.
  The other side will claim that there is no risk to property rights. 
While I hope that is correct, we need to be very sure because 
boundaries have a consequence, or why should we have them. Proponents 
of this bill on the one hand say we need boundaries to protect 
historical properties, but on the other hand there is no regulatory 
authority. You can't have it both ways. It is an invitation to 
lawsuits. We have already seen cases brought forward based on these 
recommendations. I would point my colleagues to Pogliani v. United 
States Corps of Engineers. It has already happened that lawsuits have 
been filed to discontinue actions based on inclusion in a heritage 
area. The right to opt out of the boundary we proposed would have 
prevented this type of situation in the future.
  In some respects this legislation is simply not ready for prime time. 
The Muscle Shoals proposal, which is another one I like a lot, I think 
it is good, but it has not yet completed a feasibility study. In other 
words, we don't have the assurance this heritage area could get off the 
ground before we wish to actually make the check for it.
  We were promised in this particular bill that there would be a map 
included. If you see in the self-executing rule of the Rules Committee, 
they have put a number in place that used to be blank. A small little 
detail. But we have not been provided with a map of what the boundaries 
of this new heritage area actually are. So how can we tell people they 
can be voluntarily in or out of it when we don't even know yet what the 
boundary levels are? No wonder this has become a closed rule.
  There is another area in this bill that was created, a Niagara Falls 
region, at the behest of the very powerful chairwoman of the Rules 
Committee, Ms. Slaughter. Proponents claim it is needed to protect the 
falls. Protect the falls from what? What potential harm

[[Page 28208]]

to the falls can be protected by the provisions of this particular 
bill? Remember, proponents say there are no restrictions or regulations 
imposed. Perhaps the totally unique commission that is established in 
this portion of the bill that has the Secretary of the Interior 
creating a new entity and staffing it with Federal employees and paying 
for it can finally answer that particular question. There is little 
more in this particular provision than using the National Park Service 
to conduct economic redevelopment projects. The Park Service does not 
have the expertise, or the funds, or the desire to be burdened with 
this subject.
  At the center of the economic development plan for Niagara Falls is a 
new casino. Niagara Falls, honeymoons, gambling, there may be a nexus 
there somewhere for us. But while the State of New York has the right 
to pursue casinos and help their development, it is inappropriate to 
use national heritage areas to promote the casino. An amendment was 
offered when the Niagara Falls heritage bill originally went through 
the committee to put a firewall between the Federal funds in this bill 
and the casino. Committee Democrats rejected again this simple 
amendment. Whatever my colleagues feel on the issue of gaming is 
irrelevant. We should all agree, though, that this is not an 
appropriate use of Federal funds, especially when one area is given an 
advantage over the other.
  Finally, concerns have been raised that these heritage areas and 
their boundaries may be used to impede the placement of energy 
transmission lines. While this may not be the full intent of the 
sponsors, we must proceed cautiously before we further damage our 
ability to keep up with the demand for energy. The grid is already 
heavily taxed, and it would be a tragedy to see blackouts as an 
unintended consequence of these designations.
  Mr. Speaker, because we do not have an opportunity to improve this 
bill via amendment as a result of the closed rule, I have to urge my 
colleagues to oppose this legislation, unfortunately.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I am honored at this point to yield 2 
minutes to the gentlelady that the gentleman from Utah has already 
referenced, the chairlady of our powerful House Rules Committee, the 
gentlewoman from New York, Representative Louise Slaughter, who has 
been a true fighter for her Niagara Falls National Heritage Area.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1483, a bill amending the 
Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996.
  The bill reauthorizes already existing national heritage areas. Most 
important to me and my district, and I think to the country, the bill 
authorizes the creation of the Niagara Falls Heritage Area. This truly 
is a monumental day for the city of Niagara Falls, the surrounding 
communities and the millions of people who visit Niagara Falls each 
year.
  Every time I drive across my congressional district, I am reminded 
how fortunate I am to represent such a beautiful part of the country. 
From the shores of Lake Ontario to our vineyards and apple orchards, 
Mother Nature has bestowed some of her finest treasures upon western 
New York. But none is as widely recognized at home and around the world 
as Niagara Falls.
  Every year more than 15 million people travel to Niagara Falls to 
take in this awe-inspiring natural phenom-
enon. It is high time, Mr. Speaker, that the national treasures that 
are Niagara Falls and the Niagara River be granted the official status 
they have long deserved, that of a national heritage area.
  Niagara Falls has always been a source of energy for our region. I 
don't need to remind you that it is the foremost source of 
hydroelectric power in North America as well as the birthplace of 
modern hydroelectric power.
  This bill will help to solidify Niagara Falls' standing as something 
more, an engine for the revitalization and promotion of our region's 
natural, historic and scenic resources to residents and visitors alike. 
We are not ashamed of that.
  We have, obviously, one of the areas of the country most devastated 
economically. As you know, the heritage area designation ties together 
private and public lands linked by geography and history. With the 
approval of this designation, the National Park Service will assist our 
local and State organizations to develop and implement a plan to 
conserve and promote Niagara's natural attributes. Niagara Falls is one 
of the seven natural wonders of the world. We should all cherish it. 
The benefits are obvious for all to see.

                              {time}  1045

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield 3 minutes to the 
sponsor of this particular bill, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), 
at the conclusion of which it would be very nice if the other side 
would have additional time for him because he's supporting your side.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Ohio 1 minute, 
also.
  Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlemen for yielding time. I 
could spend all day on this. I've had 10 years of experience with this, 
with the heritage corridor, and it's been such a tremendous asset.
  As a matter of fact, our chamber of commerce brought in an expert on 
economic development as to what we could do to keep young families in 
our community, and she said your number one asset is the corridor, the 
trail, because young families want to use it, and they do use it. And 
putting a human face on it, not only do I see young families all the 
time out on the towpath with their bicycles, with their family groups, 
but I see handicapped people who are wheeling their wheelchairs down 
the trail. So they, too, can benefit from the value of open space, a 
touch of environment and touch of nature.
  It's a terrific asset in our community. Over 3 million people use it. 
In terms of costs, this is not an appropriation. This is an 
authorization. So let's not be confused here by what it costs. That 
will be a decision for the Appropriations Committee to make as to how 
much they want to commit. All this bill does is authorize this 
expenditure.
  But what we found is that we get a huge outpouring of community 
support, foundations, village councils, private individuals who support 
this. For every dollar of Federal support, there's probably been $10 of 
local community involvement because they appreciate the recreational 
value. They appreciate the family values that come from using these 
facilities. They appreciate what it means to have this kind of thing in 
our community.
  The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath, which was originally there as part 
of the canal system, had brought prosperity to Ohio many years ago. In 
fact, we had had a system of canals that were the original expressways 
of yesteryear, and it started with George Washington and John Quincy 
Adams who pushed this for people.
  Of course, we all know about the granddaddy of all canals, the C&O 
Canal. That was saved. It was originally designated to be a highway. 
The highway folks said, yeah, this is wonderful; we've got 160 miles 
here of corridor where the canal and the towpath run so we'll put a 
highway on it. And Justice William O. Douglas got the Washington press 
corps together and said, ``Come with me; we'll hike this piece of 
history.'' I suppose that was a little strenuous at the time, but they 
managed it, and they wrote such glowing editorials about it that it was 
preserved.
  And to date, it's the C&O Canal National Parkway, and all you need to 
do is go out there on a Sunday afternoon or any weekday and you see 
people, thousands of people, from the City of Washington and the area 
using the C&O Canal for recreation, for an understanding of 
environment, for an understanding of history. It's a terrific asset.
  And I think what we're saying here is that other communities want to 
preserve their heritage corridors to tell the story of how their 
communities

[[Page 28209]]

were built originally, and this is the case in Ohio. But you get all 
the additional benefits of health, of walking and bicycling on a 
towpath, the benefits of being together as a family, the benefits of 
having a community asset.
  It was mentioned about the cost, but I don't think we are ready to 
charge for Yellowstone or Gettysburg. We preserve these things, and 
it's part of the national responsibility to preserve these historic 
artifacts and places that are very much a part of our Nation's history.
  So I would urge my colleagues to support this bill. Let the 
communities raise their money. Let them go to the Appropriations 
Committee and get whatever they can by way of support.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, continuing with the strong bipartisan 
support for this bill, I yield 2 minutes to my very good friend and 
dear colleague, the gentleman from Peoria, Illinois (Mr. LaHood), whose 
bipartisan nature and friendly relations we're going to truly miss in 
this Congress next year.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to yield the gentleman 
1 minute of our time as well.
  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I thank both gentlemen for the time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1483, legislation 
to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act to establish 
six new national heritage areas, including one running through my own 
congressional district known as the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage 
Area.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe the establishment of heritage areas provides 
us with a unique opportunity to take a closer look at some of the most 
culturally significant areas of our country. As a former school 
teacher, I believe very strongly in the need to study the past in order 
to understand how we got to where we are today. Many of the issues that 
shaped President Lincoln's legacy are still relevant today, and it's 
worthwhile to continue to explore these issues. The establishment of 
the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area within this bill would 
accomplish these goals.
  The purpose of creating this national heritage area in Illinois is to 
manage, study and promote Lincoln-related historical sites. Scattered 
throughout the central Illinois landscape are countless places where 
Lincoln traveled and lived. As children, we're taught the basic history 
of our country, including the basic facts of President Lincoln's life 
and legacy. What the history books usually don't teach are the 
experiences and events that shaped President Lincoln and made him the 
man he became. By designating this heritage area, we can tie these many 
Lincoln sites together in order to create a tapestry that will allow us 
to better understand the influences that shaped President Lincoln's 
life.
  During my time in Congress, I've had the unique honor of representing 
all 11 counties that originally formed Abraham Lincoln's congressional 
district when he served one term in this very House. The year 2009 
represents the 200th anniversary of President Lincoln's birth, and as 
the cochair of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, which is in 
charge of celebrating this event, what better way to honor one of the 
most prominent figures in American history who affected millions of 
lives than preserving and studying further those places where he lived 
and worked and that had a profound effect on his later life.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, as it 
will lead to an opportunity for all in Illinois and all in our country 
to really have a better understanding of President Lincoln.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1483, legislation 
to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act to establish 
six new national heritage areas, including one running through my own 
district known as the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.
  I would first like to thank Chairman Rahall and Ranking Member Young 
for bringing this important matter to the Floor today. I would also 
like to thank Chairman Grijalva and Ranking Member Bishop for holding 
hearings on the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area in their 
Subcommittee.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe the establishment of heritage areas provides 
us with a unique opportunity to take a closer look at some of the most 
culturally significant areas of our country. As a former school 
teacher, I believe very strongly in the need to study the past in order 
to understand how we got to where we are today. Many of the issues that 
shaped President Lincoln's legacy are still relevant today, and it is 
worthwhile to continue to explore these issues. The establishment of 
the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area within H.R. 1483 would 
accomplish these goals.
  The purpose of creating this national heritage area in Illinois is to 
manage, study, and promote Lincoln-related historical sites. Scattered 
throughout the central Illinois landscape are countless places where 
Lincoln traveled and lived. As children, we are taught the basic 
history of our country, including the basic facts of President 
Lincoln's life and legacy. What the history books usually don't teach 
are the experiences and events that shaped President Lincoln and made 
him the man he became. By designating this heritage area, we can tie 
these many Lincoln sites together in order to create a tapestry that 
will allow us to better understand the influences that shaped President 
Lincoln's life.
  During my time in Congress, I have had the unique honor of 
representing all 11 counties that originally formed Abraham Lincoln's 
congressional district when he served one term in the House of 
Representatives. The year 2009 represents the 200th year since Abraham 
Lincoln's birth. I am a co-chair, along with Senator Durbin, of the 
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, which is in charge of 
celebrating this event. What better way to honor one of the most 
prominent figures in American history, who affected millions of lives, 
than preserving and studying further those places where he lived and 
worked that had a profound effect on his later life.
  I urge my colleagues to support the preservation of Abraham Lincoln's 
legacy by voting in favor of H.R. 1483.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), once again speaking in favor, and I would ask 
maybe perhaps the other side would be a little bit more generous than 
the last time with their giving him some additional time.
  Mr. RAHALL. I beg your pardon, it's your side of the aisle that 
should be yielding the time totally, but I'll be glad to yield 1 
additional minute to the gentleman from Virginia, who has been very 
instrumental in crafting this legislation, and I appreciate his help.
  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlemen. I want to thank the 
chairman very much for his help and his support and your staff. I also 
want to honor Mr. Regula, who has probably made such an impact on these 
issues over the many, many, many years.
  I rise in strong support of this. The journey through hallowed 
grounds is hallowed growth. It begins with Monticello where Jefferson 
came out and wrote those words ``that all men are created equal, 
endowed by their Creator.'' Ronald Reagan said those words were a 
covenant, a covenant with not only Americans but with the entire world.
  Then we move up to Antietam, Antietam where President Lincoln took 
that win, that battle, that victory there of 20,000 deaths and then had 
the Emancipation Proclamation. That is hallowed ground because when you 
walk in 1 day, 20,000 people died.
  And then we move up to Gettysburg, Gettysburg where President 
Lincoln, probably the greatest or second greatest President after 
President Washington, gave that famous speech that made sure the Union 
came together.
  This is hallowed ground. It is areas that we have helped define 
ourselves and who we are and why we are who we are.
  Also in this area is Monroe's house, Oak Hill; Montpelier, President 
Madison; also Zachary Taylor's home; Eisenhower's farm; Teddy 
Roosevelt's cabin; Kennedy's house; Marshall's house, who helped devise 
the Marshall Plan. This will help commemorate, preserve and promote.

[[Page 28210]]

  Let me read you what David McCullough said. He said, ``This is the 
ground of our Founding Fathers. These are the landscapes that speak 
volumes, small towns, churches, fields, mountains, creeks and rivers 
with names such as Bull Run and Rappahannock. They are the real thing, 
and what shame we will bring upon ourselves if we destroy them.''
  For those who have objected, this is what the bill says: nothing in 
the subtitle alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved land 
use plan or other regulatory authority of any Federal, State, tribal or 
local agency.
  It goes on to say: nothing in this subtitle conveys any land use or 
other regulatory authority to any local or coordinating entity.
  And the bottom line is, this bill cannot and does not affect the 
rights of any property owner.
  In closing, let me say here's what Lincoln said. When Lincoln was in 
this area he said, ``We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we 
cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who 
struggled here, have hallowed it far above our poor power to add or 
detract.''
  This region, this area is sacred. It is hallow. I strongly urge my 
colleagues on both sides of the aisle, please pass this bill so we can 
preserve and protect and promote together, to educate our young people 
so when they hear the word ``Antietam'' they understood what took 
place; when they hear about ``Gettysburg'' they understood what took 
place; when they read the Declaration of Independence, they honor the 
men who said we give our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
  I urge an ``aye'' vote for this and again want to thank Mr. Rahall 
very, very much and his staff and Mr. Regula for his leadership, not 
only on this but on all of these park issues and all of these important 
preservation issues over the many, many years.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Alabama (Mr. Cramer).
  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of today's legislation, 
amending the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996.
  I would like to applaud Chairman Rahall and his commitment to 
preserving our Nation's heritage. I would also like to thank 
Subcommittee Chairman Grijalva and members of the National Parks, 
Forest and Public Lands Subcommittee for their consideration of this 
important legislation.
  Also, I would like to congratulate Mr. Regula for his leadership over 
many years and offering today's basic underlying bill.
  There's been some harsh criticism of this process. My area, the 
Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, is one of the six new heritage 
areas included in this bill. This process has worked the way I would 
assume a process like this should work.
  It has taken us years to bring our counties together, six counties in 
the northwest corner of Alabama, the birthplace of Helen Keller, the 
birthplace of W.C. Handy. There's so much rich history there, but we 
have not had the opportunity to partner with the private sector to 
develop a management plan, a feasibility study to come up with a 
management entity that could further the issues that we want to help 
preserve for our area. This whole process has allowed us to do that, 
and I think that's the way this process should work.
  Look, we will have the public sector much more involved with us. We 
have a Helen Keller Festival every year at her birthplace, Ivy Green. 
Her home has deteriorated. It is an embarrassment to the country. It's 
an embarrassment to our area how much it's deteriorated. But now the 
public and private sector are coming together to preserve that 
homeplace and to make sure that the festival that honors her heritage 
there is one that's carried on in surroundings that it should be 
carried on.
  As I said earlier about the process, a woman there, Nancy Gonce, 
teamed with the University of Alabama and brought together resources 
from all over that section of Alabama to make sure that we had the 
chance to have this national heritage area determined there.
  I congratulate this process and urge the passage of this bill.

                              {time}  1100

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 7 minutes to 
the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett).
  Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Thank you very much for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1483 and urge my colleagues 
to vote ``no'' on this bill.
  The Journey Through Hallowed Ground is not Mr. Wolf's bill. It is a 
Democrat substitute bill that has been added to a larger bill, H.R. 
1483, that is also a Democrat substitute bill. H.R. 1483 reflects a big 
government, big spending philosophy that tramples over taxpayers' 
interests and private property rights established and considered 
fundamental by revered American leaders such as Thomas Jefferson and 
Abraham Lincoln. What's more, it is being brought up under a closed 
rule. An amendment I offered to ensure majority voting control by 
congressional district residents over decisions by management entities 
affecting sites in their district located within heritage areas was 
rejected.
  I was an enthusiastic supporter of the establishment of the Journey 
Through Hallowed Ground when it was perceived as a collective marketing 
effort. I thought, gee, what a great idea to include in one marketing 
effort all these grand historic sites in these four States, many of 
which are in the district I have the honor of representing. The Battle 
of Monocacy, the Battle of South Mountain, the Battle of Antietam, the 
C&O Canal that was mentioned by my friend, Mr. Regula, are all in my 
district. What a grand name for it, the Journey Through Hallowed 
Ground. In fact, this was such a great idea, it was such a fantastic 
name, that I was a little embarrassed when I thought to myself, gee, 
Roscoe, why didn't you think of that, such a great idea. Then, 
regrettably, it has metamorphosed into this big government, big 
spending bill. If you read the fine print in this bill, you will see 
that there is a Virginia-based, Virginia-controlled designated 
management entity that has an exclusive vision that I don't think is 
consistent with most of the voters in my district.
  I have consistently stated and testified on both September 28, 2006, 
and March 8, 2007, that any Federal legislation to create the Journey 
Through Hallowed Ground Heritage Area should retain local control of 
its management by Marylanders concerning sites in Maryland. I also 
believe that if the value of land is reduced as a result of actions by 
the management entity, or local zoning ordinances, for instance, then 
affected property owners should be compensated at fair market value. I 
don't only think this, this is a requirement of the fifth amendment of 
the Constitution. We have taken value from their land, and we need to 
compensate them for that. We almost never, ever do that. If the fifth 
amendment of the Constitution were, in fact, honored, most of the 
governments would be bankrupt because they couldn't pay for the value 
they had taken from their taxpayers' lands. It is unwarranted to spend 
$15 million of taxpayers' money to protect and promote the Journey 
Through Hallowed Ground. This is such a great idea. There is plenty of 
money out there in the private sector. We don't need Federal money to 
do this. Supporters of H.R. 1483 have consistently refused to 
incorporate protections of taxpayers and private property owners. That 
is why I introduced an alternate bill, H.R. 1270, and approved an 
amendment to remove the Sixth District of Maryland if we couldn't have 
majority voting rights. That was defeated in committee on a party-line 
vote. Actions by management entities and the $135 million in taxpayers' 
money that will be matched and spent by management entities speak 
louder than the weak and toothless language in section 2009.
  Let me just quote a couple of things from some outside groups that 
have looked at this. First from Americans for Tax Reform/Property 
Rights Alliance Vote Alert: ``We urge all Members

[[Page 28211]]

to side with Americans and protect the right of land use by voting 'no' 
on H.R. 1483.''
  From the National Taxpayers Union: ``NTU urges all Members to vote 
`no' on H.R. 1483. NTU testified against H.R. 1483 in committee, and 
we're dismayed to see that the bill has grown in both cost and 
potential harm since introduction. Rollcall votes on H.R. 1483 will be 
significantly weighted in our annual Rating of Congress.''
  From the Heritage Foundation, in a report that they issued called 
``National Heritage Areas: Costly Economic Development Schemes that 
Threaten Property Rights, Backgrounder 2080:''
  ``In fact, non-National Park Service funds amount to nearly 70 
percent of the costs associated with the national heritage areas. If 
this pattern continues, H.R. 1483 would lead to an additional $270 
million in NHA spending by Federal, State, local and not-for-profit 
entities.''
  ``One of the most controversial aspects of H.R. 1483 is the 
establishment of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground,'' which is in my 
district. ``The effort is sponsored and promoted by mainly two 
factions, Virginia-based environmental groups with a long history of 
opposition to most residential and commercial development in the region 
and wealthy estate owners who would benefit from the cachet and 
exclusivity that the designation might bring. The opposition includes 
local property owners and a large majority in Congress.
  ``Other NHAs have used their federally acquired authority to impose 
restrictive zoning requirements on the region's property owners to 
limit development and/or to force it into directions agreeable to those 
who guide the management of the NHA.''
  Let me review. Members may be concerned that H.R. 1483 would, one, 
increase Federal funding by 50 percent from $10 million to $15 million 
per national heritage area, an amount neither requested nor reviewed in 
hearings, with total additional Federal spending of $135 million.
  Two, it would expand the boundaries of 3 existing national heritage 
areas and, in addition, it would create 6 new national heritage areas, 
including the Journey Through Hallowed Ground, at a total initial 
authorization of $90 million.
  It would reauthorize, increase and extend Federal funding for 9 
existing national heritage areas through 2012 at an additional cost of 
$45 million.
  All of our Nation's founders knew of the intimate connection between 
personal liberty, taxpayers' interests and property rights. H.R. 1483 
tramples over, rather than honors, these hallowed principles.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, may I ask how much time is left on both 
sides.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from West Virginia has 17\1/2\ 
minutes, and the gentleman from Utah has 8 minutes.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver) who has been very instrumental 
in crafting this legislation.
  Mr. OLVER. I thank the gentleman from West Virginia for yielding time 
and for his dedicated leadership of the Resources Committee.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1483, but I will 
address my specific comments to subtitle D of title II which authorizes 
the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area.
  New England provided four of our original 13 States and has been long 
associated with our Nation's formative years, our major social and 
intellectual movements and, of course, great natural beauty. The area 
that comprises the proposed Freedom's Way National Heritage Area, which 
is included in this bill, has provided the backdrop for many other 
events and movements that shaped America.
  Freedom's Way includes 37 communities in Massachusetts and 8 in New 
Hampshire that are historically rich. Freedom's Way chronicles and 
celebrates the Revolutionary War stories of Lexington and Concord. 
Additionally, the free religious expression and social movements of the 
Shakers and Transcendentalists had their roots in the region. The area 
also hosted the social justice and the social criticism development 
found in the writings of Emerson, Hawthorne, Alcott, Fuller and 
Thoreau. And finally, the movements for the abolition of slavery, 
women's rights and environmental conservation all have roots within the 
boundary of Freedom's Way.
  The proposed initiative embodies the National Park Service's criteria 
for national heritage areas. It will conserve historic, cultural, 
scenic and natural resources for the benefit of current and future 
generations. The idea has received widespread support from local 
residents and has the support from every Member of the House whose 
district includes a portion of the proposed area.
  With this designation, the communities included will benefit from 
better resources to create a cohesive learning experience, using the 
natural setting and historical and cultural artifacts to tell the story 
of American democracy.
  I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 1483.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record a letter 
signed by 110 organizations interested in property rights who are 
opposed to this particular bill, including such groups as the Taxpayers 
Union, a supervisor in the affected area, Property Rights Foundation of 
America, Family Research Council and a mayor in my district.

 Coalition Letter Detailing Risks of National Heritage Area Designation

       The following letter--signed by a diverse group of more 
     than 110 organizations, elected officials and citizens--was 
     delivered on September 4 to Senate Majority Leader Harry 
     Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker 
     Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader John Boehner, Senate 
     Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff 
     Bingaman, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee 
     Ranking Member Pete V. Domenici, House Committee on Natural 
     Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall, House Committee on 
     Natural Resources Ranking Member Don Young as well as all the 
     members of the House and Senate Natural Resources Committees.
       Dear [Elected Official]: The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 
     Kelo v. City of New London ignited a national outcry against 
     government abuse of property rights. The ``bridge to 
     nowhere'' and other wasteful programs triggered angry 
     protests against the practice of earmarking National heritage 
     areas are the Kelo decision and earmarks rolled into one.
       National heritage areas are preservation zones where land 
     use and property rights can be restricted. They give the 
     National Park Service and preservation interest groups (many 
     with histories of hostility toward property rights) 
     substantial influence by giving them the authority to create 
     land use ``management plans'' and then the authority to 
     disburse federal money to local governments to promote their 
     plans.
       As a March 2004 General Accountability Office report on 
     heritage areas states: ``[National heritage areas] encourage 
     local governments to implement land use policies that are 
     consistent with the heritage areas' plans, which may allow 
     the heritage areas to indirectly influence zoning and land 
     use planning in ways that could restrict owners' use of their 
     property.''
       The proposed ``Journey Through Hallowed Ground National 
     Heritage Area Act'' provides a good case study on how 
     heritage areas can be self-perpetuating federal pork and 
     influence projects. The chief lobbying organization for this 
     heritage area, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground 
     Partnership, received a one million-dollar earmark in the 
     2005 federal transportation bill at the behest of Members of 
     Congress sponsoring legislation to establish this heritage 
     area--an earmark that was granted before the organization was 
     even incorporated. A million-dollar earmark thus was issued 
     to help create a steady stream of future pork, at the expense 
     of the rights of local landowners.
       We believe zoning and land use policies are best left to 
     local officials, who are directly accountable to the citizens 
     they represent. National heritage areas corrupt the principle 
     of representative government and this inherently local 
     function by giving unelected, unaccountable special interests 
     the authority to develop land management plans and federal 
     money with which to finance their efforts.
       Once established, National heritage areas become permanent 
     units of the National Park Service, and as such, permanent 
     drains on an agency that currently suffers a multibillion-
     dollar maintenance crisis. According to the GAG, ``sunset 
     provisions have not been effective in limiting federal 
     funding [for National Heritage Areas]: since 1984, five areas 
     that reached their sunset dates received funding 
     reauthorization from the Congress.''
       Supporters of new heritage areas have the public will 
     precisely backward: Americans

[[Page 28212]]

     want stronger property rights protections and less pork-
     barrel spending--not more earmarks to programs that harm 
     property rights.
       Please do not support the creation of additional national 
     heritage areas or federal funding for heritage area 
     management entities, support groups, or groups that lobby for 
     or advocate the creation of new heritage areas.
           Sincerely,
         David Ridenour, Vice President, National Center for 
           Public Policy Research; J. William Lauderback, 
           Executive Vice President, The American Conservative 
           Union; John Berthoud, President, National Taxpayers 
           Union; Paul Poister, Executive Director, Partnership 
           for the West; Larry Pratt, Executive Director, Gun 
           Owners of America; William Niemeyer, Mayor, City of 
           West Alton, MO; Ryan Ellis, Executive Director, 
           American Shareholders Association; Peter Flaherty, 
           President, National Legal and Policy Center; Steve 
           Snow, Supervisor, Loudoun County, VA; Carol W. 
           LaGrasse, President, Property Rights Foundation of 
           America; Paul M. Weyrich, National Chairman, Coalitions 
           for America; Tom McClusky, Vice President of Government 
           Affairs, Family Research Council; Jay Lehr, Science 
           Director, The Heartland Institute; Jim Martin, 
           President, 60 Plus Association; Bill Moshofsky, Vice 
           President, Oregonians In Action; Niger Innis, National 
           Spokesman, Congress of Racial Equality; Gregory Cohen, 
           President and CEO, American Highway Users Alliance.
         Richard Falknor, Executive Vice President, Maryland 
           Taxpayers Association, Inc.; Linda C. Runbeck, 
           President, American Property Coalition; Thomas K. 
           Remington, Managing Editor, U.S. Hunting Today; Fred L. 
           Smith, President, Competitive Enterprise Institute; 
           Matt Kibbe, President, Freedom Works; Mychal Massie, 
           Advisory Council Chairman, Project 21; Steve Baldwin, 
           Executive Director, Council for National Policy Action, 
           Inc.; Caren Cowen, Executive Director, New Mexico 
           Cattle Growers' Association; Randy T. Simmons, Mayor, 
           Providence City, UT, Professor, Utah State University; 
           Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman, American 
           Family Association; Leroy Watson, Legislative Director, 
           National Grange; Kelsey Zahourek, Executive Director, 
           Property Rights Alliance; Roy Cordato, Ph.D., VP for 
           Research and Resident Scholar, John Locke Foundation; 
           Tom DeWeese, President, American Policy Center; Rachel 
           Thomas, Property Rights Advocate, Huachuca City, AZ; 
           Rose Ellen Ray, Treasurer, Citizens for Property Rights 
           Loudoun County, VA.
         Paul Driessen, Senior Policy Advisor, Center for the 
           Defense of Free Enterprise; Maxine Korman, Korman 
           Ranch, Hinsdale, Montana; Gerald Hobbs, President, 
           Public Lands for the People; John Grigsby, Vice 
           President, Taxpayers for Accountable Government; Don 
           Parmeter, Executive Director, American Property 
           Coalition; Leo Schwartz, Chairman, Virginia Land Rights 
           Coalition; Pat King, Anvil Ranch, Tucson, AZ; Tom 
           Borelli, Ph.D., Portfolio Manager, Free Enterprise 
           Action Fund; John and Connie Morris, Members, Tongue 
           River Watershed Alliance, and MT and WY Farm Bureaus; 
           Brad VanDyke, Representative, Rural Utahns for Local 
           Solutions; Jerry Hamilton, Environmental Coordinator, 
           Formation Capital Corporation; F. Patricia Callahan, 
           President and General Counsel, American Assoc. of Small 
           Property Owners; Lew Uhler, President, National Tax 
           Limitation Committee; Jon Caldara, President, 
           Independence Institute; Dan Byfield, President, 
           American Land Foundation; John Taylor, President, 
           Tertium Quids.
         Susan Carlson, Chairman and CEO, American Civil Rights 
           Union; Gary Palmer, President, Alabama Policy 
           Institute; Lenore Hardy Barrett, State Representative, 
           Idaho; Jonathan DuHamel, President, People for the 
           West-Tucson; Jack and Patricia Shockey, President and 
           Director, Citizens for Property Rights; Fred Grau, 
           Executive Director, Take Back Pennsylvania; Mike Dail, 
           Chairman, American Land Foundation; Chuck Cushman, 
           President, American Land Rights Association; James 
           Stergios, Executive Director, Pioneer Institute; Deneen 
           Borelli, Fellow, Project 21; Marilyn Hayman, Chairman, 
           Citizens for Responsible Zoning and Landowner Rights; 
           C.J. Hadley, Publisher/Editor, Range Magazine; 
           Elizabeth Arnold, Grassroots Consultant, Environmental 
           Community Outreach Services, Juneau, AK; Greg 
           Blankenship, President, Illinois Policy Institute; Bill 
           Wilson, President, Americans for Limited Government; 
           Jane Hogan, Secretary, Ontario Hardwood Company, Inc.
         Katherine Lehman, President, People for the USA Grange 
           #835; Howard Hutchinson, Executive Director, Coalition 
           of Arizona/New Mexico Counties; C. Preston Noell III, 
           President, Tradition, Family, Property, Inc.; Dr. 
           William Greene, President, RightMarch.com; Leo T. 
           Bergeron, President, Upper Mid-Klamath Watershed 
           Council; Eugene Delgaudio, President, Public Advocate 
           of the U.S., Inc.; Leri M. Thomas, Ph.D., Charter 
           Member, Virginians for Property Rights; John 
           McClaughry, President, Ethan Allen Institute; Richard 
           O. Rowland, President, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii; 
           James W. Jarrell, Sr., Board Member, Virginia Bear 
           Hunters Association; Erich Veyhl, Publisher, Maine 
           Property Rights News; Dane vonBreichenruchardt, 
           President, U.S. Bill of Rights Foundation; Mark 
           Williamson, Founder and President, Federal 
           Intercessors, New Mexico Federal Lands Council, New 
           Mexico Wool Growers, Inc.; Beth Machens, Board of 
           Aldermen, City of West Alton, MO .
         Janet M. Neustadt, Board of Aldermen, City of West Alton, 
           MO; William J. Richter, Board of Aldermen, City of West 
           Alton, MO; Deborah Anderson, Treasurer, City of West 
           Alton, MO; Susan Silk, City Clerk, City of West Alton, 
           MO; Charlotte Meyers, Assistant Administrator, City of 
           West Alton, MO; Ora B. Anderson, Jr., Planning and 
           Zoning Commission, City of West Alton, MO; Ray 
           Ponciroli, Board of Aldermen, City of Portage, MO; Army 
           Ridenour, Director, Americans for the Preservation of 
           Liberty; Bruce Colbert, Executive Director, Property 
           Owners Association of Riverside County, CA; Randall and 
           Ruth Lillard, Farmers and Landowners, Madison County, 
           VA; Joyce Morrison, Farmer and Agricultural 
           Environmentalist, Fieldon, IL; Donald Castellucci, Jr., 
           Councilman, Town of Owego, Tioga County, NY; Milari 
           Madison, Property Owner, Loudoun County, VA; Robert L. 
           Sansom, Farmer and Landowner, Madison County, VA; Mary 
           E. Darling, Sonoita, AZ.
         James Vadnais, Port Angeles, WA; Floyd Rathbun, Fallon, 
           Nevada; Steven and Peggy Breen, Boise, Idaho; Peggy 
           Bogart, Access Advocate; Dan Goulet, Portland, OR; 
           Susan Freis Falknor, Bluemont, VA; Harold L. Stephens, 
           Member, Citizens to Protect the Confluence; Jerry 
           Fennell, Chairman, Jicarilla Mining District; Bonner R. 
           Cohen, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, National Center for Public 
           Policy Research; Judy Keeler, Secretary, Bootheel 
           Heritage Assoc. (Animas, NM); Alexandra H. Mulkern, 
           Mechanicsville, MD; Lee Riddle, Brookings, OR; Stephen 
           L. Ralston, Columbia, PA; Mark Pollot, Boise, ID; Billy 
           Jean Redemeyer-Roney; D.J. McCarthy, Civil Engineer; 
           Clifton McDonald, Needles, CA; Kirk and Jeri Hansen, 
           Clayton, ID; Suzanne Volpe, Sterling, VA.

  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, with the development of such strong 
bipartisan legislation of this nature, it obviously takes a lot of work 
by Members' staffs on both sides of the aisle and by members of the 
originating committee, our Committee on Natural Resources, as well.
  I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Arizona, Mr. 
Raul Grijalva, one of those gentlemen that has taken the reins of 
leadership this year as chairman of our Parks Subcommittee and done a 
tremendous job.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Let me thank the chairman for the time.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here to support H.R. 1483 as chairman 
of the subcommittee, but also supporting the larger heritage area bill. 
One section in particular that applies to my community is the 
designation of a new heritage area in the Santa Cruz Valley of Arizona.
  The Santa Cruz Valley has national significance and deserves the 
recognition that this designation would bring and highlight what is a 
shared border with Mexico. The Santa Cruz Valley encompasses many 
diverse cultures and histories. These include native peoples whose 
heritage dates back 13,000 years, and the descendants of Spanish, 
Mexican and American territorial settlers who shaped the region, its 
land, its customs and its traditions from the 1690s to the present 
date.
  For me it's an important designation. I grew up on a ranch, Canoa 
Ranch, that is located within the Santa Cruz Valley. It's a historic 
ranch, been designated as such and presently is being renovated to 
bring and highlight what that ranch life was in the 1800s and 1900s.
  The towns and cities of the Santa Cruz Valley support this. The 
amount

[[Page 28213]]

of support that this proposal has is truly outstanding. I want to say 
something not only about the Santa Cruz Valley and its importance, but 
I think it transcends the discussion that we are having about heritage 
areas. Heritage areas, through the designation, is also a recognition 
of a mosaic, a mosaic of history, people, traditions, the environment, 
a mosaic that shapes this country. Each one is as different and diverse 
as our Nation. To get to a designation point takes a great deal of work 
and cooperation among communities and peoples, and that's what we are 
acknowledging with heritage areas, the work that went into it, the 
diversity of this great Nation of ours, and the mosaic that makes this 
Nation of ours as special and privileged as it is in the world.
  I would also like to say that we are going to hear things about 
taking property rights, the cost. A GAO study was commissioned, and 
many of the organizations which have been submitted for the record as 
private property rights advocates were solicited to provide specific 
examples where heritage areas did indeed interfere with, take or 
prohibit the use of someone's private property. Not one instance came 
up in that study. I just want to reaffirm that these projects, these 
heritage areas are cooperative, bipartisan and truly deserving of the 
designations. I want to thank the chairman for the entire bill.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, the GAO report that was just 
referenced, it is one of those unique things, not wishing to actually 
criticize the Federal Government for what they do, but in the entire 
report, not one property owner was interviewed, not a single property 
attorney was interviewed, nor a Realtor, nor appraiser, nor a local 
zoning official. Simply put, the report neglected to ask those who 
actually know what the impact of a heritage area has on the property 
rights and values of their land.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from California, Mr. Sam Farr.
  Mr. FARR. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, it's a pleasure to rise as a former member of this 
committee and to congratulate the chairman and the ranking member and 
the fellow committee members for bringing this bill to the floor. Much 
of the committee work in the past, I think, was focused a lot on the 
Federal lands in the West. This bill, interestingly enough, focuses on 
land mostly east of the Mississippi.
  Congressional authorization is essential to sound management of these 
important places. But this just isn't about land designation; it's 
about the beauty and heritage of American spirit, our cultural spirit.
  As cochair of the House Tourism Caucus, we have learned that we need 
to increase travel in this country, particularly outreaching to foreign 
visitors, because the image of the United States around the world is 
not that good.
  However, visitors coming to this country, seeing this beautiful land, 
and meeting the people in this country, and looking at our history and 
our beauty of what I think is the best culture in the world, the 
American spirit, can only be done by showing them places that we have 
preserved, so that it's just not all sort of sprawled-out urbanism.
  These special places need to be protected, because they need the 
guidance of a good government structure like the Federal Government 
along and in partnership with State and local government. I want to 
associate myself with the words of the other speakers that have long 
been involved in land-use planning and land use, and there has never 
been an eminent domain or taking of this land.

                              {time}  1115

  In fact, the prices, if they do buy them, are agreed upon by the 
landowner, and they're agreed upon without having to have any disputes. 
So I think it's worked very, very well.
  America is a beautiful place, but it's beauty is not just in its 
scenery. It's also in its people and the people's heritage.
  I urge my colleagues to authorize the celebration of America's great 
assets, this bill, the heritage of our people.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield an additional 
2 minutes to the sponsor of this particular bill, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Regula).
  Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I 
want to commend Chairman Rahall and the staff for their effective 
working on this.
  This is a people's bill because what it does is allows the local 
communities to develop their heritage legacy. As Mr. Wolf pointed out, 
the historic corridors, as was pointed out also by Mr. LaHood, would 
bring these things to life. It would bring these battlefields to life 
to understand what happened there and how important that is to our 
Nation's heritage as a people, how important it is in the case of 
Lincoln, as to what his life has meant to all of us.
  And it's no encroachment on local control. In fact, it's the epitome 
of local control, because the decision to make heritage corridors work 
is up to the people. In our own experience, as I say, we've raised over 
250 million private dollars to match something like 8 or 9 million of 
Federal dollars.
  But putting the Federal imprimatur on this gives it a certain status 
that allows foundations, that allows private individuals to contribute 
to making these corridors a success.
  And as I said earlier, it enhances family values. It enhances 
property values. It enhances understanding.
  I'll never forget going out, to our corridor, where we had a group of 
students from the inner city as part of a summer work program, cleaning 
up the right-of-way where we now have the towpath. And these two young 
students who for the first time in their life, saw a turtle. It was a 
whole new experience for them. I said to them, Keep your finger out of 
that turtle's mouth.
  But it illustrates how historic corridors are so much a part of 
everyone's heritage, to understand environmental values, to understand 
historical values, to understand what has made this Nation great.
  And I would urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation. 
This is a gift to the people of all local communities that have a 
corridor.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time, as I 
understand I have the right to close.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Do I understand you have no more speakers?
  Mr. RAHALL. That's correct. And I reserve the right to close.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Then I'm prepared to close as well, if that's 
okay.
  Mr. Speaker, as I said at the very beginning of this particular 
debate, on this particular bill there are elements of this bill that I 
fully support and I think are wise, good moves forward. There are some 
things in there that simply are not.
  We have talked a lot and heard a lot about some of the better parts 
of this bill. However, we're talking about heritage areas. And I'm 
sorry, in all due respect, a casino as a heritage area for Niagara 
Falls? Those are some of the stretches that we have in this particular 
element.
  When we had our committee hearing, there were several people that 
were talking about the need for these new heritage areas. One 
particular individual who was testifying told of the importance of 
having this Federal designation, so I tried to zero in on that and ask 
what it is specifically about this designation that cannot be done by 
the local levels, by State government, the local entity. Give me one 
thing that cannot be done that only the Federal Government can do. 
There was not one element that was given until somebody behind him 
simply answered that the correct answer is there are 15 million reasons 
why you have this designation, and each one has a portrait of George 
Washington on it.
  We have all been lobbied on this bill, even though lobbying is not 
allowed in this bill. We have tried to put amendments and provisions of 
these parts that would clarify, clarify that lobbying could not be used 
by this Federal money going to these entities, and yet the chairman's 
argument against this, well, it would be making it too difficult for 
heritage areas to then ask for

[[Page 28214]]

money. Had we not had a closed rule, some commonsense changes as, for 
example, where the map actually is, should there be lobbying allowed, 
should there be real protection for private property owners, should we 
actually define what these are, they would have been allowed to be 
discussed and at least voted on this particular bill. Unfortunately, 
the Rules Committee cut out that opportunity, and now we're here with a 
closed bill.
  Many of my colleagues who do not serve on the Resources Committee may 
not be aware that the Department does not support these bills. On each 
and every heritage area that we've had recommended to the committee, 
the Department has asked the committee to defer action until a criteria 
for heritage areas is established. And I can see why some deferment 
makes sense. Perhaps we wouldn't be here debating heritage areas that 
have not yet finished their feasibility studies or had their maps 
prepared had we listened to that advice.
  A lot of good things, but this is still a classic Christmas tree with 
a lot of bad things that are hidden by the good ones.
  I urge my colleagues not to support this omnibus lands bill, this 
Christmas tree of lands bill, simply because there are too many bad 
things that need to be fixed before it moves on.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, in summation, these are not good times for 
the ratings of the United States Congress in the public opinion polls. 
We all know that in this body; yet I think if the American people would 
see Congress in action this very moment that those poll ratings might 
very well go up.
  We've seen examples on this legislation of Members on both sides of 
the aisle in a bipartisan, nonpartisan manner, working to preserve what 
is the best of America. I look at the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), 
I look at the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), I look at the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood) on the other side of the aisle, 
and I look at the many Members on this side of the aisle from different 
parts of the country, south, north, west, that have joined together in 
bringing this legislation to the floor today.
  Yes, we have respectful disagreements, and I respect the gentleman 
from Utah's position, but we also have worked very hard in what I think 
the American people want to see, and that is a nonpartisan effort to 
solve this country's problems.
  Now, if you looked up the word ``red herring'' in Webster's 
Dictionary, the definition would be the property rights arguments that 
the critics of this bill are using against this legislation.
  Heritage areas have no regulatory authority. Over 60 million 
Americans live in heritage areas. The entire State of Tennessee, for 
example, the entire State of Tennessee is a heritage area. Almost my 
entire congressional district is a heritage area. There have been no 
impacts on private property rights, mining, road building, economic 
development. I believe we've done quite well in each of those areas in 
my congressional district, most of which is a heritage area.
  And the gentleman from Arizona, the subcommittee chairman, Mr. 
Grijalva, brought out very well where we've seen no instances where 
there have been private property issues, no instances where such 
problems have occurred.
  Now, those that have expressed concern about property provisions in 
this bill, let me be clear. In the 20 years plus of this program's 
existence, opponents have not been able to identify one single instance 
in which someone has been deprived of the use of their property as a 
result of such designations as we're considering in this bill.
  And nevertheless, as the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) has 
quoted, we do, in this legislation, provide extensive property, private 
property provisions. These private property protections are the same 
language approved by the Senate, the same language proposed by the 
administration in heritage area systems bills under consideration in 
this Congress, and the same language included in heritage areas bills 
passed by the previous Congress under the other party's control.
  The history of this program, as we have seen in repeated debate on 
the floor and in committee, not to mention the GAO report which has 
been referenced, has proven that there are simply no legitimate private 
property issues here. It's time to move on, stop flogging this dead 
horse and bringing up this red herring.
  Now, the gentleman from Utah mentioned our late colleague, the 
gentleman that was elected to Congress with me, the late Representative 
Bruce Vento, the former chairman of the Parks Subcommittee. And the 
gentleman from Utah mentioned that he did not intend for the Federal 
heritage areas to last longer than 10 years. I'm reasonably sure, 
however, that our late colleague did not foresee these areas having to 
contend with close to $90 a barrel oil and the other increase in costs, 
I might add, that the numerous heritage areas created under Republican 
Congresses that were all authorized for 15 years. We have provided an 
increase in authorized funding for heritage areas to ensure that 
heritage areas have enough funds to get on their feet.
  So the issue here is not private property rights. The issue is not 
gaming in these areas. The issue is not earmarks. I would say to my 
colleagues, imagine, for example, if Yellowstone National Park did not 
exist and Members of Congress introduced legislation to provide for 
such a crown jewel of our national park system. Would that be called an 
earmark?
  The issue is not lobbying by local people, our local legislators. 
They have a right to try to secure that additional State and local 
funding necessary to match Federal funding. We provide protections. 
Federal law prohibits any other lobbying by local groups.
  So the issue, as I conclude, Mr. Speaker, is not about earmarking, 
not about lobbying, not about private property rights; it's about the 
American people and protection of what is theirs and providing our 
American people a place in which they can take their families, can 
spend quality time of life in these times when it's so hard to spend 
quantity time together, that they spend quality time together. And 
that's what we're talking about in this legislation. That's what we're 
talking about in our heritage areas, in America's heritage.
  So I conclude by urging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
continue the nonpartisan, bipartisan spirit that has brought this bill 
to the floor and pass this legislation by a tremendous margin.
  Mr. BRALEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1483, the 
Celebrating America's Heritage Act. As an original co-sponsor of this 
important legislation, I fully support the reauthorization of the 
National Heritage Areas.
  I am especially pleased that this bill authorizes additional funding 
for Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area in Iowa, and also 
pleased that the bill establishes 6 new Heritage Areas, because they 
have so much to offer. My District, the 1st District of Iowa, is home 
to Silos and Smokestacks, 1 of the 37 current federally designated 
heritage areas in the Nation. Silos and Smokestacks covers 20,000 
square miles, and 37 counties in Iowa, and preserves and tells the 
story of Iowa and American agriculture, both past and present. Silos 
and Smokestacks also helps convey the global significance of Iowa and 
American agriculture through partnerships and activities that celebrate 
and honor the land, people, and communities of the area. Agriculture in 
Iowa is as crucial as it ever was, but has evolved significantly. 
Through museums, farms, schools, and historical societies, Silos and 
Smokestacks takes visitors on a tour through Iowa's rich agricultural 
history, shows how Iowa farmers have come to be where they are today, 
and supports the hope for a strong and prosperous agricultural future. 
I urge all of my colleagues to support our Nation's National Heritage 
Areas, and to vote in support of this bill today.
  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to 
support H.R. 1483, which includes legislation to extend the 
authorization of the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. I would 
first like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues in the New 
Jersey delegation for their continued support of this extension. I 
would also like to thank Chairman Rahall, Ranking Member Young and 
their staff for their support and guidance.

[[Page 28215]]

  Established by Congress in 1988, the New Jersey Coastal Heritage 
Trail incorporates the very best of what the great State of New Jersey 
has to offer to the rest of the Nation. The Trail unifies New Jersey's 
many scenic points of interest. These points of interest include a 
wealth of environmental, historic, maritime and recreational sights 
found along New Jersey's coastline, stretching 300 miles from Perth 
Amboy in the north, Cape May in the extreme southern tip of the State 
and Deepwater to the west.
  The Trail's area includes 3 National Wildlife Refuges, four 
tributaries of a Wild and Scenic River system, a Civil War fort and 
National cemetery, several lighthouses, historic homes, and other sites 
tied to southern New Jersey's maritime history. Through a network of 
themes and destinations, the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail connects 
people with places of historic, recreational, environmental and 
maritime interest.
  One exciting aspect of the Trail is its focus on maritime history. 
There is a rich story to be told about the industries once sustained by 
the Delaware Bay, such as whaling, shipbuilding, crabbing and the 
harvesting of oysters. While we often define our Nation's history 
through military or political milestones, the Trail will serve to 
remind visitors that maritime-dependent commerce was a major factor in 
the growth of the United States.
  ``Eco-tourism'' along the Trail has proven to be a huge success. 
There is an abundant variety of natural habitats and species to be 
found on the Trail. Whale and dolphin watching have become extremely 
popular, and bird lovers from throughout the country, and in fact 
around the world, are realizing what Southern New Jersey residents have 
known all along: our region is unmatched for observing migratory birds, 
ospreys and bald eagles.
  The Trail has also helped to foster important partnerships between 
the Federal government and individuals, groups, corporations, State and 
local governments. Since the Trail began, these partnerships have 
resulted in additional funding amounting to almost double the 
investment of the Federal government.
  Legislation reauthorizing the Trail was included in S. 203, the 
National Heritage Areas Act of 2006, which the President signed into 
law in October of 2006. S. 203 requires a strategic plan for the Trail 
to be prepared ``Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds 
are made available.'' Unfortunately, under S. 203, the Trail is only 
reauthorized through September 30, 2007.
  The language pertaining to the Trail included in H.R. 1483 has the 
support of the entire New Jersey Congressional delegation. It would 
extend the authorization of the Coastal Heritage Trail Route in New 
Jersey until September 30, 2011. This would allow for adequate time to 
complete the required strategic plan, which will explore opportunities 
to increase participation by private and public interests, as well as 
organizational options for sustaining the Trail. S. 1039, a bill 
containing language very similar to the Trail language in H.R. 1483, 
was introduced in the Senate in March.
  Since its inception, the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail has not 
only helped New Jersey residents develop pride, awareness, experience 
with, and understanding of our coastal resources and their history, it 
has encouraged visitors to explore this area, bringing with them much 
needed tourism dollars. The extension of the authorization contained in 
H.R. 1483 will allow the Trail to continue and flourish. I urge my 
colleagues in the House to support this legislation.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I have several concerns with H.R. 
1483. While I may support several subtitles within this bill, changes 
have been made that harm the positive intent of the legislation.
  An unexpected and unrequested increase, from $10 million to $15 
million, in the authorization for new Heritage Areas was inserted by 
the Majority. No hearings have been held to discuss this change and we 
do not understand why it is warranted. The cost of this bill has 
ballooned to over $135 million.
  I have further reservations because the closed rule does not provide 
two Members of the House the opportunity to adequately represent their 
districts. Mr. Bartlett and Mr. Goode have expressed concerns that they 
do not want to be included in these Heritage Areas and would prefer to 
be removed. I believe a Member has the right to represent his district 
and decide which Federal designations will be created over his 
constituents.
  The committee has heard concerns that this bill would exacerbate the 
problem of Heritage Areas and their inability to operate without 
Federal funds. Heritage Areas are supposed to become self-sufficient: 
they were designed with that goal and that intent. This simply delivers 
more money to those heritage areas that have run through their 
authorization. The National Park Service testified that no National 
Heritage Area has succeeded in becoming self-sufficient.
  We have seen evidence that the National Park Service and some 
Heritage Areas are violating public law by using Federal funds for 
lobbying. They go so far as to instruct other groups on how to start 
new Heritage Areas and further this problem.
  In committee we sought to strengthen the private property rights 
protections. My Democrat colleagues believe this is the cure to a 
problem that does not exist. I urge them to reconsider and adopt real 
property protections that allow owners to withdraw from Heritage Area 
boundaries. This protection has been given to the last twelve Heritage 
Areas and should not be denied any new Heritage Areas.
  Finally, the committee has learned that Heritage Area boundaries may 
be used to impede the placement of critical energy transmission lines. 
At a time when the national grid is already heavily taxed and the 
threat of blackouts loom, we should not build obstacles to providing 
Americans with reliable energy.
  Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1483, 
Celebrating America's Act of 2007, to amend the Omnibus Parks and 
Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to extend authorizations of certain 
natural heritage areas, including the Blue Ridge Natural Heritage Area, 
and for other purposes.
  The mission of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is to protect, 
preserve, interpret, and develop the unique natural, historical, and 
cultural resources of western North Carolina for the benefit of present 
and future generations, and in so doing to stimulate improved economic 
opportunity in the region.
  This bill extends authorization of the existing Blue Ridge National 
Heritage Area, a landscape full of superlatives: The highest mountain, 
Mount Mitchell; deepest gorge, Linville Gorge; and highest waterfall, 
Whitewater Falls in the eastern United States; the oldest river in 
North America, the New River; and the 2 most visited National Park 
lands in the country, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky 
Mountains National Park. The region is home to the Eastern Band of the 
Cherokee Indians who continue to preserve many facets of traditional 
Cherokee culture.
  I am especially pleased that this legislation extends and increases 
authorization of funds for the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and 
others, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation 
and support enhancing our natural and cultural heritage for future 
generations.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to comment on one 
aspect of H.R. 1483: the effect of the designation of National Heritage 
Areas on the development and siting of needed energy infrastructure. 
Some of these National Heritage Areas fall within National Interest 
Electric Transmission Corridors that were recently designated by the 
Department of Energy. Development and siting of new electric 
transmission was an important part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, 
and the designation of National Interest Electric Transmission 
Corridors is a critical component in getting that new transmission 
built.
  Originally, there was concern that the designation of National 
Heritage Areas could impede the development of new energy 
infrastructure, even if that infrastructure were in a National Interest 
Electric Transmission Corridor. Bipartisan compromise language that has 
been added to the bill, along with language in the Committee Report 
accompanying H.R. 1483, makes it clear that the designation of a 
National Heritage Area should not impede the development of necessary 
energy infrastructure. Specifically, I understand that compromise 
language has been added to clarify that nothing in the bill ``alters 
any duly adopted land use regulation, approved land use plan, or other 
regulatory authority (such as the authority to make safety improvements 
or increase the capacity of existing roads or to construct new roads) 
of any Federal, State, Tribal, or local agency, or conveys any land use 
or other regulatory authority to any local coordinating entity, 
including but not necessarily limited to development and management of 
energy or water or water-related infrastructure.'' I believe that this 
language and the accompanying report language makes it clear that a 
State public utility commission or the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission should not consider the fact that an area is a National 
Heritage Area as a basis to deny siting of energy infrastructure.
  I commend the bill's authors for including this important 
clarification.
  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1483, 
the ``Celebrating America's Heritage Act,'' which would, in part, 
designate the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area in Massachusetts and 
New Hampshire. The Freedom's Way National Heritage

[[Page 28216]]

Area would recognize the important historical contributions made by 
communities throughout New England to the historic events of the 
American Revolution.
  This new heritage area would include the communities of Arlington, 
Lexington, Lincoln, Malden, Medford, and Wobum in my district along 
with 39 other communities throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire 
that played a role in the birth of our Nation.
  H.R. 1483 would allow for cooperation between the communities in the 
heritage area and the National Park Service to conserve these special 
places and develop increased recreational and educational opportunities 
for these tremendous resources.
  I am proud to support the creation of this important new National 
Heritage Area, which will help preserve the unique history of New 
England. Sometimes we forget that the small towns and cities where we 
were born and live are also the birthplace of this great Nation. The 
Freedom's Way National Heritage Area designation will ensure that 
future generations will be able to visit, tour and learn about the 
communities in New England that shaped our young Nation.
  This heritage area designation will allow for the commemoration of 
the important role that these New England communities played in shaping 
our Nation and I urge passage of the bill.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
1483, Celebrating America's Heritage Act. I thank Congressman Regula, 
Chairman Rahall, and their staff for their hard work on bringing this 
deserving and important legislation to the floor for full 
consideration. This bi-partisan legislation will authorize additional 
funding to existing National Heritage Areas, ensure adequate management 
of these areas, and establish 6 new Heritage Areas which enjoy broad 
community support.
  The National Heritage Area program is unique in that it involves 
whole communities in public/private partnerships to recognize, and 
appreciate our Nation's shared history for generations to come. I'm so 
pleased that both sides of the aisle support the goals of the National 
Heritage Area program. President Herbert Hoover said, ``Honor is not 
the exclusive property of any political party.'' This bill proves that 
honoring our past is also not the exclusive property of any political 
party.
  President Hoover, a native Iowan, was born in West Branch, Iowa on 
August 10, 1874. Thanks in part to the Silos and Smokestacks, or 
America's Agricultural Heritage Partnership program, President Hoover's 
birthplace, and other similar historic sites are preserved and included 
in the 37 county, 20,000 square mile region of Iowa which showcases 
over 100 farms, agribusiness and heritage sites to a world wide 
audience.
  The Silos and Smokestacks program boasts over $1.2 million in Federal 
grants awarded with a match from our local Iowa communities of $8.3 
million. Of these grants, 27 were awarded to schools allowing 1,619 
students to learn about Iowa's heritage.
  With the increased funding authorized in this legislation for the 
existing National Heritage Areas, over 300,000 students in the Silos 
and Smokestacks area will have a chance to learn about Iowa's 
agricultural history and heritage. I urge my colleagues to support this 
culturally important legislation.
  Mr. RAHALL. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
  Pursuant to House Resolution 765, the previous question is ordered on 
the bill, as amended. The question is on engrossment and third reading 
of the bill.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was 
read the third time.


            Motion to Recommit Offered by Mr. Bishop of Utah

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the gentleman opposed to the bill?
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Yes, in it's current form.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion to 
recommit.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Mr. Bishop of Utah moves to recommit the bill, H.R. 1483, 
     to the Committee on Natural Resources with instructions to 
     report the same to the House forthwith with the following 
     amendment:
       At the end of the bill, add the following new title:

                 TITLE VI--APPLICATION OF CERTAIN LAWS

     SEC. 6001. APPLICATION OF CERTAIN STATE AND LOCAL LAWS.

       All designated and future designated lands within any 
     natural heritage area for which funding is provided under 
     this Act shall be exclusively governed by relevant State and 
     local laws regarding hunting, fishing, and the possession or 
     use of a weapon, trap, or net.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah is recognized for 5 minutes in support of his motion to recommit.

                              {time}  1130

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  This particular motion to recommit ensures that the rights of State 
and local governments within heritage area designations will be able to 
regulate hunting and that it will be unharmed by this legislation.
  This bill currently provides that heritage area designations shall 
not diminish the right of States to regulate hunting, but it is silent 
on the issue including the right to carry firearms.
  The motion to recommit also clarifies that laws regarding fishing and 
possession or use of a weapon or trap shall be governed exclusively by 
States and localities.
  The second amendment is a critical right. We want to protect our 
constituents against consequences of this legislation that could harm 
that right.
  National parks have regulations that limit hunting and the right to 
carry or possess firearms even in States and localities where it is 
legally permitted. The text you see to my left is title 36 for the 
National Park Service Department, and this is the language that would 
prohibit in heritage areas those rights that even are currently allowed 
by State and local legislation.
  These regulations harm wildlife and the environment because even 
local wildlife management officials are impeded in their work.
  Before any attempt is made to restrict the rights of gun owners and 
second amendment defenders, this motion to recommit protects their 
legal existing rights now and in the future. It is important that it be 
said and be said clearly.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise maybe not necessarily in opposition 
to the motion but, nevertheless, to claim time to speak.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from West 
Virginia is recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, this is an issue, as is typical of a 
minority of the minority, that has not been mentioned one iota in any 
of today's debate, in any of the committee debate developed on a 
bipartisan, nonpartisan nature in bringing this bill to the floor, not 
in any way brought up in any of the extensive hearings held by our 
subcommittee chairman, Mr. Grijalva, and is brought up at this last 
second out of the clear blue, which, again, I say should not be 
surprising because it is typical of a minority of the minority to make 
such efforts.
  But I would ask the gentleman from Utah, is he referring to all 
Federal lands? Because as I am sure he knows, the heritage areas are 
not part of the national park system, the chart that he just brought 
forward, nor are they under the jurisdiction of the National Park 
Service. The heritage areas are part of a collaborative effort between 
Federal and State and local people with local governing units with 
matching dollars, not all Federal dollars, as I am sure the gentleman 
knows.
  So I ask that question. Are you intending this language for all 
Federal lands?
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. RAHALL. I yield to the gentleman from Utah.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. As I am sure the distinguished gentleman from 
West Virginia knows, each and every one of the divisions within the 
Department of the Interior has different sets of rules and regulations. 
BIA land would not be a problem. A national park designation would be. 
So any of these heritage areas that were under the direction of the 
National Park Service, and there are some within this new bill, would 
fall under title 36. That's why this legislation desperately needs to 
be there, the same amendment that we actually

[[Page 28217]]

did present at another time in one of our committees.
  So, yes, it's still significant. It's still important. It needs to be 
there to clarify specifically. If the intent is not to change what has 
been happening by the locals, this clearly sets in all these areas what 
has been local will continue and State and local regulations will have 
precedence.
  Mr. RAHALL. I am not sure we are talking about the same definitions 
here.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the previous question is 
ordered on the motion to recommit.
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion to recommit.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the noes appeared to 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 9 of rule XX, the Chair 
will reduce to 5 minutes the minimum time for any electronic vote on 
the question of passage.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 344, 
nays 71, not voting 17, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 995]

                               YEAS--344

     Ackerman
     Aderholt
     Akin
     Alexander
     Allen
     Altmire
     Arcuri
     Baca
     Bachmann
     Bachus
     Baird
     Baker
     Baldwin
     Barrett (SC)
     Barrow
     Bartlett (MD)
     Barton (TX)
     Bean
     Berkley
     Berry
     Biggert
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (GA)
     Bishop (NY)
     Bishop (UT)
     Blackburn
     Blunt
     Boehner
     Bonner
     Bono
     Boozman
     Boren
     Boswell
     Boucher
     Boustany
     Boyd (FL)
     Boyda (KS)
     Brady (PA)
     Brady (TX)
     Braley (IA)
     Broun (GA)
     Brown (SC)
     Brown-Waite, Ginny
     Buchanan
     Burgess
     Burton (IN)
     Buyer
     Calvert
     Camp (MI)
     Campbell (CA)
     Cannon
     Cantor
     Capito
     Capps
     Cardoza
     Carnahan
     Carney
     Carter
     Castle
     Chabot
     Chandler
     Clyburn
     Coble
     Cohen
     Cole (OK)
     Conaway
     Costa
     Costello
     Courtney
     Cramer
     Crenshaw
     Cubin
     Cuellar
     Cummings
     Davis (AL)
     Davis (KY)
     Davis, David
     Davis, Lincoln
     Davis, Tom
     Deal (GA)
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     DeLauro
     Dent
     Diaz-Balart, L.
     Diaz-Balart, M.
     Dicks
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Donnelly
     Doolittle
     Doyle
     Drake
     Dreier
     Duncan
     Edwards
     Ehlers
     Ellsworth
     Emanuel
     Emerson
     English (PA)
     Eshoo
     Etheridge
     Everett
     Fallin
     Fattah
     Feeney
     Ferguson
     Filner
     Flake
     Forbes
     Fortenberry
     Fossella
     Foxx
     Franks (AZ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Gallegly
     Garrett (NJ)
     Gerlach
     Giffords
     Gilchrest
     Gillibrand
     Gingrey
     Gohmert
     Goode
     Goodlatte
     Gordon
     Granger
     Graves
     Green, Al
     Green, Gene
     Hall (NY)
     Hall (TX)
     Hare
     Harman
     Hastert
     Hastings (WA)
     Hayes
     Heller
     Hensarling
     Herger
     Herseth Sandlin
     Higgins
     Hill
     Hinojosa
     Hobson
     Hodes
     Hoekstra
     Holden
     Hooley
     Hulshof
     Inglis (SC)
     Inslee
     Israel
     Jefferson
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson (IL)
     Johnson, Sam
     Jones (NC)
     Jones (OH)
     Jordan
     Kagen
     Kanjorski
     Keller
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilpatrick
     Kind
     King (IA)
     King (NY)
     Kingston
     Kirk
     Kline (MN)
     Knollenberg
     Kuhl (NY)
     LaHood
     Lamborn
     Lampson
     Lantos
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Latham
     LaTourette
     Levin
     Lewis (KY)
     Linder
     Lipinski
     LoBiondo
     Loebsack
     Lofgren, Zoe
     Lucas
     Lungren, Daniel E.
     Lynch
     Mack
     Mahoney (FL)
     Maloney (NY)
     Manzullo
     Markey
     Marshall
     Matheson
     McCarthy (CA)
     McCarthy (NY)
     McCaul (TX)
     McCotter
     McCrery
     McHenry
     McHugh
     McIntyre
     McKeon
     McMorris Rodgers
     McNerney
     McNulty
     Meek (FL)
     Meeks (NY)
     Melancon
     Mica
     Michaud
     Miller (FL)
     Miller (MI)
     Miller (NC)
     Miller, Gary
     Mitchell
     Mollohan
     Moore (KS)
     Moore (WI)
     Moran (KS)
     Murphy (CT)
     Murphy, Patrick
     Murphy, Tim
     Murtha
     Musgrave
     Myrick
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal (MA)
     Neugebauer
     Nunes
     Oberstar
     Obey
     Ortiz
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Pastor
     Paul
     Payne
     Pearce
     Pence
     Perlmutter
     Peterson (MN)
     Peterson (PA)
     Petri
     Pickering
     Pitts
     Platts
     Poe
     Pomeroy
     Porter
     Price (GA)
     Pryce (OH)
     Putnam
     Radanovich
     Rahall
     Ramstad
     Regula
     Rehberg
     Reichert
     Renzi
     Reynolds
     Rodriguez
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rogers (MI)
     Rohrabacher
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Roskam
     Ross
     Rothman
     Royce
     Ruppersberger
     Ryan (OH)
     Ryan (WI)
     Salazar
     Sali
     Sanchez, Loretta
     Sarbanes
     Saxton
     Schiff
     Schmidt
     Schwartz
     Scott (GA)
     Scott (VA)
     Sensenbrenner
     Sessions
     Sestak
     Shadegg
     Shays
     Shimkus
     Shuler
     Shuster
     Simpson
     Sires
     Skelton
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (TX)
     Smith (WA)
     Snyder
     Souder
     Space
     Spratt
     Stearns
     Stupak
     Sullivan
     Tancredo
     Tanner
     Taylor
     Terry
     Thompson (CA)
     Thornberry
     Tiahrt
     Tiberi
     Turner
     Udall (CO)
     Udall (NM)
     Upton
     Van Hollen
     Visclosky
     Walden (OR)
     Walsh (NY)
     Walz (MN)
     Wamp
     Watson
     Weiner
     Weldon (FL)
     Weller
     Westmoreland
     Whitfield
     Wicker
     Wilson (NM)
     Wilson (SC)
     Wolf
     Wu
     Yarmuth
     Young (FL)

                                NAYS--71

     Abercrombie
     Andrews
     Becerra
     Berman
     Blumenauer
     Brown, Corrine
     Butterfield
     Capuano
     Castor
     Clarke
     Clay
     Cleaver
     Conyers
     Crowley
     Davis (IL)
     Delahunt
     Ellison
     Engel
     Farr
     Frank (MA)
     Gonzalez
     Grijalva
     Gutierrez
     Hastings (FL)
     Hinchey
     Hirono
     Holt
     Honda
     Hoyer
     Jackson (IL)
     Jackson-Lee (TX)
     Kaptur
     Klein (FL)
     Kucinich
     Langevin
     Lee
     Lewis (GA)
     Lowey
     Matsui
     McCollum (MN)
     McDermott
     McGovern
     Miller, George
     Moran (VA)
     Olver
     Price (NC)
     Rangel
     Richardson
     Roybal-Allard
     Rush
     Sanchez, Linda T.
     Schakowsky
     Serrano
     Sherman
     Slaughter
     Solis
     Stark
     Sutton
     Tauscher
     Thompson (MS)
     Tierney
     Towns
     Tsongas
     Velazquez
     Wasserman Schultz
     Waters
     Watt
     Waxman
     Welch (VT)
     Wexler
     Woolsey

                             NOT VOTING--17

     Bilbray
     Carson
     Cooper
     Culberson
     Davis (CA)
     Hunter
     Issa
     Jindal
     Johnson, E. B.
     Lewis (CA)
     Marchant
     Reyes
     Shea-Porter
     Walberg
     Wilson (OH)
     Wynn
     Young (AK)

                              {time}  1200

  Messrs. DAVIS of Illinois, CONYERS, CROWLEY, BECERRA, HOLT, RUSH, 
FARR, INSLEE and CLEAVER, and Ms. HIRONO, Ms. WATERS, Ms. JACKSON-LEE 
of Texas, Ms. SUTTON, Ms. KAPTUR, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mrs. TAUSCHER and Ms. 
WOOLSEY changed their vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.''
  Messrs. BOEHNER, HARE, NADLER, PITTS, PASTOR, RYAN of Ohio, 
RUPPERSBERGER, LYNCH, GENE GREEN of Texas, INSLEE, AL GREEN of Texas, 
HINOJOSA, ISRAEL, and Ms. DEGETTE and Ms. SCHWARTZ changed their vote 
from ``nay'' to ``yea.''
  So the motion to recommit was agreed to.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  Stated for:
  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I missed the vote on rollcall No. 995 
because I was visiting wounded warriors at Walter Reed. As an avid 
outdoorsman, and conservationist I supported the Motion to Recommit to 
H.R. 1483.
  Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the instructions of the House in 
the motion to recommit, I report H.R. 1483 back to the House with an 
amendment.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Amendment:
       At the end of the bill, add the following new title:

                 TITLE VI--APPLICATION OF CERTAIN LAWS

      SEC. 6001. APPLICATION OF CERTAIN STATE AND LOCAL LAWS.

       All designated and future designated lands within any 
     natural heritage area for which funding is provided under 
     this Act shall be exclusively governed by relevant State and 
     local laws regarding hunting, fishing, and the possession or 
     use of a weapon, trap, or net.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the amendment.
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the engrossment and third 
reading of the bill.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was 
read the third time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.


                             Recorded Vote

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

[[Page 28218]]

  A recorded vote was ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. This will be a 5-minute vote.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 291, 
noes 122, not voting 19, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 996]

                               AYES--291

     Abercrombie
     Ackerman
     Alexander
     Allen
     Altmire
     Andrews
     Arcuri
     Baca
     Bachus
     Baird
     Baldwin
     Barrett (SC)
     Barrow
     Bean
     Becerra
     Berkley
     Berman
     Berry
     Biggert
     Bishop (GA)
     Bishop (NY)
     Blumenauer
     Bonner
     Bono
     Boren
     Boswell
     Boucher
     Boustany
     Boyd (FL)
     Boyda (KS)
     Brady (PA)
     Brady (TX)
     Braley (IA)
     Brown (SC)
     Brown, Corrine
     Burgess
     Butterfield
     Cantor
     Capito
     Capps
     Capuano
     Cardoza
     Carnahan
     Carney
     Castle
     Castor
     Chandler
     Clarke
     Clay
     Cleaver
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Conyers
     Costa
     Costello
     Courtney
     Cramer
     Crowley
     Cuellar
     Cummings
     Davis (AL)
     Davis (IL)
     Davis, David
     Davis, Lincoln
     Davis, Tom
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     Delahunt
     DeLauro
     Dent
     Dicks
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Donnelly
     Doyle
     Edwards
     Ehlers
     Ellison
     Ellsworth
     Emanuel
     Engel
     English (PA)
     Eshoo
     Etheridge
     Farr
     Fattah
     Ferguson
     Filner
     Fortenberry
     Fossella
     Frank (MA)
     Frelinghuysen
     Gerlach
     Giffords
     Gilchrest
     Gillibrand
     Gonzalez
     Gordon
     Green, Al
     Green, Gene
     Grijalva
     Gutierrez
     Hall (NY)
     Hare
     Harman
     Hastert
     Hastings (FL)
     Hayes
     Herseth Sandlin
     Higgins
     Hill
     Hinchey
     Hinojosa
     Hirono
     Hobson
     Hodes
     Holden
     Holt
     Honda
     Hooley
     Hoyer
     Inglis (SC)
     Inslee
     Israel
     Jackson (IL)
     Jackson-Lee (TX)
     Jefferson
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson (IL)
     Jones (OH)
     Kagen
     Kanjorski
     Kaptur
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilpatrick
     Kind
     King (NY)
     Kirk
     Klein (FL)
     Knollenberg
     Kucinich
     LaHood
     Lampson
     Langevin
     Lantos
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Latham
     LaTourette
     Lee
     Levin
     Lewis (GA)
     Lipinski
     LoBiondo
     Loebsack
     Lofgren, Zoe
     Lowey
     Lynch
     Mahoney (FL)
     Maloney (NY)
     Markey
     Marshall
     Matheson
     Matsui
     McCarthy (NY)
     McCollum (MN)
     McCrery
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McHugh
     McIntyre
     McNerney
     McNulty
     Meek (FL)
     Meeks (NY)
     Melancon
     Michaud
     Miller (MI)
     Miller (NC)
     Miller, George
     Mitchell
     Mollohan
     Moore (KS)
     Moore (WI)
     Moran (VA)
     Murphy (CT)
     Murphy, Patrick
     Murphy, Tim
     Murtha
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal (MA)
     Oberstar
     Obey
     Olver
     Ortiz
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Pastor
     Payne
     Perlmutter
     Peterson (MN)
     Peterson (PA)
     Pickering
     Platts
     Poe
     Pomeroy
     Porter
     Price (NC)
     Pryce (OH)
     Rahall
     Ramstad
     Rangel
     Regula
     Reichert
     Reynolds
     Richardson
     Rodriguez
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Roskam
     Rothman
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Ryan (OH)
     Salazar
     Sanchez, Linda T.
     Sanchez, Loretta
     Sarbanes
     Saxton
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schwartz
     Scott (GA)
     Scott (VA)
     Serrano
     Sestak
     Shays
     Sherman
     Shimkus
     Shuler
     Shuster
     Sires
     Skelton
     Slaughter
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (WA)
     Solis
     Souder
     Space
     Spratt
     Stark
     Stupak
     Sutton
     Tanner
     Tauscher
     Taylor
     Terry
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Tierney
     Towns
     Tsongas
     Turner
     Udall (CO)
     Udall (NM)
     Upton
     Van Hollen
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Walsh (NY)
     Walz (MN)
     Wamp
     Wasserman Schultz
     Waters
     Watson
     Watt
     Waxman
     Weiner
     Welch (VT)
     Weller
     Wexler
     Wicker
     Wilson (NM)
     Wilson (SC)
     Wolf
     Woolsey
     Wu
     Yarmuth

                               NOES--122

     Aderholt
     Akin
     Bachmann
     Baker
     Bartlett (MD)
     Barton (TX)
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (UT)
     Blackburn
     Blunt
     Boehner
     Boozman
     Broun (GA)
     Brown-Waite, Ginny
     Buchanan
     Burton (IN)
     Buyer
     Calvert
     Camp (MI)
     Campbell (CA)
     Cannon
     Carter
     Chabot
     Coble
     Cole (OK)
     Conaway
     Crenshaw
     Cubin
     Davis (KY)
     Deal (GA)
     Diaz-Balart, L.
     Diaz-Balart, M.
     Doolittle
     Drake
     Dreier
     Duncan
     Emerson
     Everett
     Fallin
     Feeney
     Flake
     Forbes
     Foxx
     Franks (AZ)
     Gallegly
     Garrett (NJ)
     Gohmert
     Goode
     Goodlatte
     Granger
     Graves
     Hall (TX)
     Hastings (WA)
     Heller
     Hensarling
     Herger
     Hoekstra
     Hulshof
     Johnson, Sam
     Jones (NC)
     Jordan
     Keller
     King (IA)
     Kingston
     Kline (MN)
     Kuhl (NY)
     Lamborn
     Lewis (KY)
     Linder
     Lucas
     Lungren, Daniel E.
     Mack
     Manzullo
     McCarthy (CA)
     McCaul (TX)
     McCotter
     McHenry
     McKeon
     McMorris Rodgers
     Mica
     Miller (FL)
     Miller, Gary
     Moran (KS)
     Musgrave
     Myrick
     Neugebauer
     Nunes
     Paul
     Pearce
     Pence
     Petri
     Pitts
     Price (GA)
     Putnam
     Radanovich
     Rehberg
     Renzi
     Rogers (MI)
     Rohrabacher
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Royce
     Ryan (WI)
     Sali
     Schmidt
     Sensenbrenner
     Sessions
     Shadegg
     Simpson
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (TX)
     Stearns
     Sullivan
     Tancredo
     Thornberry
     Tiahrt
     Tiberi
     Walberg
     Walden (OR)
     Weldon (FL)
     Westmoreland
     Whitfield
     Young (FL)

                             NOT VOTING--19

     Bilbray
     Carson
     Cooper
     Culberson
     Davis (CA)
     Gingrey
     Hunter
     Issa
     Jindal
     Johnson, E. B.
     Lewis (CA)
     Marchant
     Reyes
     Ross
     Shea-Porter
     Snyder
     Wilson (OH)
     Wynn
     Young (AK)


                announcement by the speaker pro tempore

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (during the vote). Members are advised they 
have 2 minutes to record their vote.

                              {time}  1208

  So the bill was passed.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________