[Senate Report 110-364]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                                       Calendar No. 796
110th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE
 2d Session                                                     110-364

======================================================================



 
              MISSISSIPPI HILLS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT

                                _______
                                

                 June 16, 2008.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

   Mr. Bingaman, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                         [To accompany S. 2254]

    The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was 
referred the Act (S. 2254) to establish the Mississippi Hills 
National Heritage Area in the State of Mississippi, and for 
other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably 
thereon without amendment and recommends that the bill, as 
amended, do pass.
    The amendment is as follows:
    Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu 
thereof the following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Mississippi Hills National Heritage 
Area Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

  In this Act:
          (1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the 
        Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area established by section 
        3(a).
          (2) Local coordinating entity.--The term ``local coordinating 
        entity'' means the local coordinating entity for Heritage Area 
        designated by section 3(c).
          (3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means the 
        management plan for the Heritage Area required under section 
        4(a)(1).
          (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
        the Interior.
          (5) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of 
        Mississippi.

SEC. 3. MISSISSIPPI HILLS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

  (a) Establishment.--There is established the Mississippi Hills 
National Heritage Area in the State.
  (b) Boundaries.--
          (1) Affected counties.--The Heritage Area shall consist of 
        all, or portions of, as specified by the boundary description 
        in paragraph (2), Alcorn, Attala, Benton, Calhoun, Carroll, 
        Chickasaw, Choctaw, Clay, DeSoto, Grenada, Holmes, Itawamba, 
        Lafayette, Lee, Lowndes, Marshall, Monroe, Montgomery, Noxubee, 
        Oktibbeha, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tate, Tippah, 
        Tishomingo, Union, Webster, Winston, and Yalobusha Counties in 
        the State.
          (2) Boundary description.--The Heritage Area shall have the 
        following boundary description:
                  (A) traveling counterclockwise, the Heritage Area 
                shall be bounded to the west by U.S. Highway 51 from 
                the Tennessee State line until it intersects Interstate 
                55 (at Geeslin Corner approximately \1/2\ mile due 
                north of Highway Interchange 208);
                  (B) from this point, Interstate 55 shall be the 
                western boundary until it intersects with Mississippi 
                Highway 12 at Highway Interchange 156, the intersection 
                of which shall be the southwest terminus of the 
                Heritage Area;
                  (C) from the southwest terminus, the boundary shall--
                          (i) extend east along Mississippi Highway 12 
                        until it intersects U.S. Highway 51;
                          (ii) follow Highway 51 south until it is 
                        intersected again by Highway 12;
                          (iii) extend along Highway 12 into downtown 
                        Kosciusko where it intersects Mississippi 
                        Highway 35;
                          (iv) follow Highway 35 south until it is 
                        intersected by Mississippi Highway 14; and
                          (v) extend along Highway 14 until it reaches 
                        the Alabama State line, the intersection of 
                        which shall be the southeast terminus of the 
                        Heritage Area;
                  (D) from the southeast terminus, the boundary of the 
                Heritage Area shall follow the Mississippi-Alabama 
                State line until it reaches the Mississippi-Tennessee 
                State line, the intersection of which shall be the 
                northeast terminus of the Heritage Area; and
                  (E) the boundary shall extend due west until it 
                reaches U.S. Highway 51, the intersection of which 
                shall be the northwest terminus of the Heritage Area.
  (c) Local Coordinating Entity.--
          (1) In general.--The local coordinating entity for the 
        Heritage Area shall be the Mississippi Hills Heritage Area 
        Alliance, a nonprofit organization registered by the State, 
        with the cooperation and support of the University of 
        Mississippi.
          (2) Board of directors.--
                  (A) In general.--The local coordinating entity shall 
                be governed by a Board of Directors comprised of not 
                more than 30 members.
                  (B) Composition.--Members of the Board of Directors 
                shall consist of--
                          (i) not more than 1 representative from each 
                        of the counties described in subsection (b)(1); 
                        and
                          (ii) any ex-officio members that may be 
                        appointed by the Board of Directors, as the 
                        Board of Directors determines to be necessary.

SEC. 4. DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES OF LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.

  (a) Duties of the Local Coordinating Entity.--To further the purposes 
of the Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity shall--
          (1) prepare, and submit to the Secretary, in accordance with 
        section 5, a management plan for the Heritage Area;
          (2) assist units of local government, regional planning 
        organizations, and nonprofit organizations in implementing the 
        approved management plan by--
                  (A) establishing and maintaining interpretive 
                exhibits and programs within the Heritage Area;
                  (B) developing recreational opportunities in the 
                Heritage Area;
                  (C) increasing public awareness of, and appreciation 
                for, natural, historical, cultural, archaeological, and 
                recreational resources of the Heritage Area;
                  (D) restoring historic sites and buildings in the 
                Heritage Area that are consistent with the themes of 
                the Heritage Area; and
                  (E) carrying out any other activity that the local 
                coordinating entity determines to be consistent with 
                this Act;
          (3) conduct meetings open to the public at least annually 
        regarding the development and implementation of the management 
        plan;
          (4) submit an annual report to the Secretary for each fiscal 
        year for which the local coordinating entity receives Federal 
        funds under this Act specifying--
                  (A) the 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 leveraged funds; and
                  (E) grants made to any other entities during the 
                fiscal year;
          (5) make available for audit for each fiscal year for which 
        the local coordinating entity receives Federal funds under this 
        Act, all information pertaining to the expenditure of the funds 
        and any matching funds;
          (6) require in all agreements authorizing expenditures of 
        Federal funds by other organizations, that the receiving 
        organizations make available for audit all records and other 
        information pertaining to the expenditure of the funds; and
          (7) ensure that each county included in the Heritage Area is 
        appropriately represented on any oversight advisory committee 
        established under this Act to coordinate the Heritage Area.
  (b) Authorities.--The local coordinating entity may, subject to the 
prior approval of the Secretary, for the purposes of preparing and 
implementing the management plan, use Federal funds made available 
under this Act to--
          (1) make grants and loans to the State, political 
        subdivisions of the State, nonprofit organizations, and other 
        persons;
          (2) enter into cooperative agreements with, or provide 
        technical assistance to, the State, political subdivisions of 
        the State, nonprofit organizations, and other organizations;
          (3) hire and compensate staff;
          (4) obtain funds or services from any source, including funds 
        and services provided under any other Federal law or program; 
        and
          (5) contract for goods or services.
  (c) Prohibition on Acquisition of Real Property.--The local 
coordinating entity may not use Federal funds received under this Act 
to acquire any interest in real property.

SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

  (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds 
are made available to develop the management plan, the local 
coordinating entity shall submit to the Secretary for approval a 
proposed management plan for the Heritage Area.
  (b) Requirements.--The management plan for the Heritage Area shall--
          (1) provide recommendations for the preservation, 
        conservation, enhancement, funding, management, interpretation, 
        development, and promotion of the cultural, historical, 
        archaelogical, natural, and recreational resources of the 
        Heritage Area;
          (2) specify existing and potential sources of funding or 
        economic development strategies to protect, enhance, interpret, 
        fund, manage, and develop the Heritage Area;
          (3) include--
                  (A) an inventory of the natural, historical, 
                cultural, archaeological, and recreational resources of 
                the Heritage Area; and
                  (B) an analysis of how Federal, State, tribal, and 
                local programs may best be coordinated to promote and 
                carry out this Act;
          (4) provide recommendations for educational and interpretive 
        programs to provide information to the public on the resources 
        of the Heritage Area; and
          (5) involve residents of affected communities and tribal and 
        local governments.
  (c) Termination of Funding.--If the management plan is not submitted 
to the Secretary in accordance with this subsection, the local 
coordinating entity shall not qualify for additional financial 
assistance under this Act until the management plan is submitted to, 
and approved by, the Secretary.
  (d) Approval of Management Plan.--
          (1) Review.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which 
        the Secretary receives the management plan, the Secretary shall 
        approve or disapprove the management plan.
          (2) Consultation required.--The Secretary shall consult with 
        the Governor of the State and any tribal government in which 
        the Heritage Area is located before approving the management 
        plan.
          (3) Criteria for approval.--In determining whether to approve 
        the management plan, the Secretary shall consider whether--
                  (A) the local coordinating entity represents the 
                diverse interests of the Heritage Area, including 
                governments, natural and historical resource protection 
                organizations, educational institutions, businesses, 
                community residents, and recreational organizations;
                  (B) the local coordinating entity has afforded 
                adequate opportunity for public and governmental 
                involvement (including through workshops and public 
                meetings) in the preparation of the management plan;
                  (C) the resource protection and interpretation 
                strategies described in the management plan, if 
                implemented, would adequately protect the natural, 
                historical, cultural, archaeological, and recreational 
                resources of the Heritage Area;
                  (D) the management plan would not adversely affect 
                any activities authorized on Federal or tribal land 
                under applicable laws or land use plans;
                  (E) 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 aspects 
                of the management plan; and
                  (F) the local coordinating entity has demonstrated 
                the financial capability, in partnership with others, 
                to carry out the management plan.
          (4) Action following 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) Review; amendments.--
                  (A) In general.--After approval by the Secretary of 
                the management plan, the Alliance shall periodically--
                          (i) review the management plan; and
                          (ii) submit to the Secretary, for review and 
                        approval by the Secretary, any recommendations 
                        for revisions to the management plan.
                  (B) In general.--An amendment to the management plan 
                that substantially alters the purposes of the Heritage 
                Area shall be reviewed by the Secretary and approved or 
                disapproved in the same manner as the original 
                management plan.
                  (C) Implementation.--The local coordinating entity 
                shall not use Federal funds authorized to be 
                appropriated by this Act to implement an amendment to 
                the management plan until the Secretary approves the 
                amendment.

SEC. 6. DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES OF THE SECRETARY.

  (a) Technical and Financial Assistance.--
          (1) In general.--On the request of the local coordinating 
        entity, the Secretary may provide technical and financial 
        assistance, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis (as 
        determined by the Secretary), to the local coordinating entity 
        to develop and implement the management plan.
          (2) Cooperative agreements.--The Secretary may enter into 
        cooperative agreements with the local coordinating entity and 
        other public or private entities to provide technical or 
        financial assistance under paragraph (1).
          (3) Priority.--In assisting the Heritage Area, the Secretary 
        shall give priority to actions that assist in--
                  (A) conserving the significant natural, historical, 
                cultural, archaeological, and recreational resources of 
                the Heritage Area; and
                  (B) providing educational, interpretive, and 
                recreational opportunities consistent with the purposes 
                of the Heritage Area.
  (b) Evaluation; Report.--
          (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years before the date on 
        which authority for Federal funding terminates for the Heritage 
        Area under section 10, the Secretary shall--
                  (A) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of 
                the Heritage Area; and
                  (B) prepare a report with recommendations for the 
                future role of the National Park Service, if any, with 
                respect to the Heritage Area, in accordance with 
                paragraph (3).
          (2) Evaluation.--An evaluation conducted under paragraph 
        (1)(A) shall--
                  (A) assess the progress of the local coordinating 
                entity with respect to--
                          (i) accomplishing the purposes of this Act 
                        for the Heritage Area; and
                          (ii) achieving the goals and objectives of 
                        the approved management plan for the Heritage 
                        Area;
                  (B) analyze the Federal, State, local, and private 
                investments in the Heritage Area to determine the 
                leverage and impact of the investments; and
                  (C) review the management structure, partnership 
                relationships, and funding of the Heritage Area for 
                purposes of identifying the critical components for 
                sustainability of the Heritage Area.
          (3) Report.--
                  (A) In general.--Based on the evaluation conducted 
                under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall prepare a 
                report that includes recommendations for the future 
                role of the National Park Service, if any, with respect 
                to the Heritage Area.
                  (B) Required analysis.--If the report prepared under 
                this paragraph recommends that Federal funding for the 
                Heritage Area be reauthorized, the report shall include 
                an analysis of--
                          (i) ways in which Federal funding for the 
                        Heritage Area may be reduced or eliminated; and
                          (ii) the appropriate time period necessary to 
                        achieve the recommended reduction or 
                        elimination.
                  (C) Submission to congress.--On completion of a 
                report under this paragraph, the Secretary shall submit 
                the report to--
                          (i) the Committee on Energy and Natural 
                        Resources of the Senate; and
                          (ii) the Committee on Natural Resources of 
                        the House of Representatives.

SEC. 7. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

  (a) In General.--Nothing in this Act affects the authority of a 
Federal agency to provide technical or financial assistance under any 
other law.
  (b) Consultation and Coordination.--To the maximum extent 
practicable, the head of any Federal agency planning to conduct 
activities that may have an impact on the Heritage Area is encouraged 
to consult and coordinate the activities with the Secretary and the 
local coordinating entity.
  (c) Other Federal Agencies.--Nothing in this Act--
          (1) modifies, alters, or amends any laws (including 
        regulations) authorizing a Federal agency to manage Federal 
        land under the jurisdiction of the Federal agency;
          (2) limits the discretion of a Federal land manager to 
        implement an approved land use plan within the boundaries of 
        the Heritage Area; or
          (3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized use of Federal 
        land under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency.

SEC. 8. EFFECT.

  (a) Property Owners and Regulatory Protections.--Nothing in this 
Act--
          (1) abridges the rights of any owner of public or private 
        property, including the right to refrain from participating in 
        any plan, project, program, or activity conducted within the 
        Heritage Area;
          (2) requires any property owner to--
                  (A) permit public access (including Federal, tribal, 
                State, or local government access) to the property; or
                  (B) modify any provisions of Federal, tribal, State, 
                or local law with regard to public access or use of 
                private land;
          (3) alters any duly adopted land use regulations, approved 
        land use plan, or any other regulatory authority of any 
        Federal, State, or local agency, or tribal government;
          (4) conveys any land use or other regulatory authority to the 
        local coordinating entity;
          (5) authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation of 
        water or water rights;
          (6) diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish and 
        wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting 
        within the Heritage Area; or
          (7) creates any liability, or affects any liability under any 
        other law, of any private property owner with respect to any 
        person injured on the private property.
  (b) No Effect on Indian Tribes.--Nothing in this Act--
          (1) restricts an Indian tribe from protecting cultural or 
        religious sites on tribal land; or
          (2) diminishes the trust responsibilities or government-to-
        government obligations of the United States to any Indian tribe 
        recognized by the Federal Government.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this Act $10,000,000, of which not more than $1,000,000 may be made 
available for any fiscal year.
  (b) Availability.--Amounts made available under subsection (a) shall 
remain available until expended.
  (c) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--
          (1) In general.--The Federal share of the total cost of any 
        activity under this Act shall be not more than 50 percent.
          (2) Form.--The non-Federal contribution--
                  (A) shall be from non-Federal sources; and
                  (B) may be in the form of in-kind contributions of 
                goods or services fairly valued.

SEC. 10. TERMINATION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

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

                                PURPOSE

    The purpose of S. 2254 is to designate the Mississippi 
Hills National Heritage Area in the State of Mississippi.

                          BACKGROUND AND NEED

    The Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area encompasses 30 
counties in northeastern Mississippi, the southern most 
foothills of the Appalachian range. The area has been strongly 
influenced by the intersection of the distinctive cultures of 
Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta. The area includes the 
Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo National Battlefield, two 
national forests and other significant natural areas. It is 
also home of Elvis Presley's ``Graceland'' and William 
Faulkner's birthplace. The heritage area also includes Rust 
College, which was founded before 1867, and stands as one of 
the five remaining historically black colleges in the United 
States.
    The bill designates the Mississippi Hills Heritage Area 
Alliance as the management entity for the heritage area. A 
concept plan was developed by the Mississippi Hills Heritage 
Area Alliance in 2004 to preserve the unique cultural, 
historical, archeological, natural, and recreational resources 
of the area. Pursuant to S. 2254, the Alliance will develop and 
submit to the Secretary a formal management plan within three 
years from the enactment of this Act.

                          LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

    S. 2254 was introduced by Senator Cochran on October 29, 
2007. Senator Wicker is a cosponsor. The Subcommittee on 
National Parks held a hearing on S. 2254 on April 9, 2008.
    At its business meeting on May 7, 2008, the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources ordered S. 2254 favorably 
reported, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in open 
business session on May 7, 2008, by a voice vote of a quorum 
present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 2254, if amended as 
described herein.

                          COMMITTEE AMENDMENT

    During the consideration of S. 2254, the Committee adopted 
an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The amendment 
removes the findings section, incorporates language consistent 
with other national heritage area designations reported by the 
Committee, and makes other clarifying and conforming changes. 
The amendment is described in detail in the section-by-section 
analysis, below.

                      SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

    Section 1 provides the short title, the ``Mississippi Hills 
National Heritage Area Act''.
    Section 2 defines key terms used in the bill.
    Section 3(a) establishes the boundaries of the Mississippi 
Hills National Heritage Area.
    Subsection (b) describes the boundaries of the heritage 
area.
    Subsection (c) requires that the heritage area boundary map 
be on file and available for public inspection in the 
appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
    Subsection (d) designates the Mississippi Delta National 
Heritage Area Partnership as the local coordinating entity for 
the heritage area, and describes the composition of the 
Partnership's Board of Directors.
    Section 4(a) requires the local coordinating entity to 
prepare a management plan for the heritage area. The subsection 
also lists the duties of the local coordinating entity.
    Subsection (b) describes the authorities of the local 
coordinating entity.
    Subsection (c) prohibits the local coordinating entity from 
acquiring real property using funds received under this Act.
    Section 5(a) requires the local coordinating entity to 
submit a proposed management plan to the Secretary of the 
Interior not later than 3 years after the day of enactment of 
the Act.
    Subsection (b) lists the requirements for the management 
plan.
    Subsection (c) provides that the local coordinating entity 
shall not qualify for additional financial assistance until the 
management plan is submitted to the Secretary in accordance 
with this section.
    Subsection (d) requires the Secretary to approve or 
disapprove of the management plan within 180 days after the 
receipt of the plan.
    Section 6(a) authorizes the Secretary to provide technical 
and financial assistance to the local coordinating entity to 
develop and implement the management plan. The Secretary is 
also authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with the 
local coordinating entity and other public and private entities 
to provide technical and financial assistance.
    Subsection (b) requires that the Secretary conduct an 
evaluation of the Heritage Area no later than 3 years before 
the date on which authority for federal funding terminates. The 
Secretary shall then prepare a report with required analysis 
and recommendations for the National Park Service, and whether 
federal funding should be reauthorized for the heritage area. 
On completion of the report, the Secretary shall submit the 
report to Congress.
    Section 7 describes the relationship of other Federal 
agencies to the heritage area.
    Subsection (a) clarifies that nothing in this Act affects 
the authority of a Federal agency to provide technical or 
financial assistance under any other law.
    Subsection (b) authorizes the Secretary to provide 
technical and financial assistance to the local coordinating 
entity to develop and implement the management plan.
    Subsection (c) encourages the head of a Federal agency 
planning to conduct activities that may have an impact on the 
heritage area to consult and coordinate the activities with the 
Secretary and the management entity to the maximum extent 
practicable.
    Subsection (c) clarifies that nothing in this Act modifies 
authorities of Federal agencies to manage Federal land, limits 
the discretion of a Federal agency to implement an approved 
land use plan, or modifies or alters any authorized use of 
Federal land.
    Section 8 contains several savings provisions to clarify 
that the designation of the national heritage area will not 
affect private property rights, affect governmental land use 
regulation, reserve or appropriate water rights, diminish the 
authority of the State to manage fish and wildlife, or create 
any liability for property owners within the heritage area.
    Section 9(a) authorizes total appropriations of $10 
million, with not more than $1 million authorized to be 
appropriated for any fiscal year.
    Subsection (b) requires Federal funding to be matched on a 
50:50 basis with funds from non-Federal sources.
    Section 10 provides that the authority of the Secretary to 
provide assistance under this Act terminates 15 years after the 
date of enactment.

                   COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS

    The following estimate of costs of this measure has been 
provided by the Congressional Budget Office:

S. 2254--Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area Act of 2008

    S. 2254 would establish the Mississippi Hills National 
Heritage Area (NHA) in Mississippi and designate the 
Mississippi Hills Heritage Alliance, a local nonprofit 
organization as the management entity for the NHA. The bill 
would authorize the appropriation of $10 million, not to exceed 
$1 million annually, for financial assistance to the alliance 
and other eligible entities over the next 15 years.
    Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO 
estimates that implementing S. 2254 would cost $5 million over 
the 2009-2013 period and an additional $5 million after 2013. 
Enacting the legislation would have no effect on direct 
spending or revenues.
    S. 2254 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and 
would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Deborah Reis. 
This estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                      REGULATORY IMPACT EVALUATION

    In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following 
evaluation of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in 
carrying out S. 2254. The bill is not a regulatory measure in 
the sense of imposing Government-established standards or 
significant economic responsibilities on private individuals 
and businesses.
    No personal information would be collected in administering 
the program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal 
privacy.
    Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the 
enactment of S. 2254, as ordered reported.

                   CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING

    In accordance with paragraph 4(b) of rule XLIV of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides the 
following identification of congressionally directed spending 
items contained in the bill, as reported:


------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Section                   Provision            Member
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9...............................  Authorization of    Cochran
                                   appropriations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

    The testimony provided by the National Park Service at the 
April 23, 2008, hearing on S. 2254 follows:

    Statement of Katherine H. Stevenson, Acting Assistant Director, 
  Business Services, National Park Service, Department of the Interior

    Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for 
the opportunity to appear before you today to present the views 
of the Department of the Interior on S. 2254, a bill to 
establish the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area in the 
State of Mississippi.
    The Department cannot support S. 2254 unless the bill is 
amended to be a feasibility study for a Mississippi Hills 
National Heritage Area in the State of Mississippi. The 
Department believes that a feasibility study should be required 
for every proposed national heritage area and the study should 
be evaluated against our interim criteria before designation. 
The standards for evaluating areas proposed for national 
designation are an essential element prior to establishing a 
national heritage area. A study should be prepared that 
demonstrates evidence of place-based resources that tell a 
nationally important story, which has the support and 
involvement of the local community.
    Although the Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance has 
completed a ``Three-Year Strategic Plan for the Mississippi 
Hills Heritage Area'' and an impressive array of partners and 
potential funders has been assembled, fundamental questions 
have yet to be formally addressed regarding the region's 
eligibility for designation as a national heritage area.
    The Department is willing to provide advice or assistance 
in the completion of a study that meets applicable standards 
and provides Congress with the necessary information and 
assessment upon which to base its decision regarding 
designation in the future.
    With 37 national heritage areas designated across 27 
states, and more heritage area legislative proposals 
forthcoming, the Administration believes it is critical for 
Congress to enact national heritage area program legislation. 
This legislation would provide a much-needed framework for 
evaluating proposed national heritage areas, offering 
guidelines for successful planning and management, clarifying 
the roles and responsibilities of all parties, and 
standardizing timeframes and funding for designated areas. 
Program legislation would also clarify the expectation that 
heritage areas would work toward self-sufficiency by outlining 
the necessary steps, including appropriate planning, to achieve 
that goal.
    S. 2254 would establish the Mississippi Hills National 
Heritage Area in northeast Mississippi. The area would 
encompass all or part of 30 counties. It would also include the 
Delta National Forest. The bill designates the Mississippi 
Hills Heritage Area Alliance as the management entity. The 
Alliance is a non-profit organization registered by the State 
of Mississippi, with the cooperation and support of the 
University of Mississippi. The bill provides for the 
development of a management plan that would inventory resources 
of the area, recommend conservation measures, identify sources 
of funding, and consider public involvement mechanisms.
    The bill would authorize Mississippi Hills National 
Heritage Area to promote and help conserve a number of 
important natural and cultural resources. Included within its 
proposed boundaries are the sites of important Civil War 
battles, the birthplaces of a number of noteworthy Americans, 
the first public college for women in the United States, the 
Mississippi University for Women, and Rust College, founded in 
1866, which is one of the oldest black colleges in the United 
States. The proposed Mississippi National Heritage Area would 
encompass the Natchez Trace Parkway; the Holly Springs and 
Tombigbee National Forests; the Sardis, Enid, and Grenada 
Lakes; the Strawberry Plains State Audubon Center; the 
Tishomingo State Park; and the Noxubee National Wildlife 
Refuge.
    Mr. Chairman, the Department is prepared to work with the 
subcommittee on amending S. 2254 to authorize a feasibility 
study for a Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area, in the 
State of Mississippi.
    This concludes my prepared remarks. I would be pleased to 
answer any questions you or any members of the Subcommittee may 
have.

                        CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

    In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee notes that no 
changes in existing law are made by the bill, S. 2254, as 
ordered reported.

                                  
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