[House Report 115-670]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


115th Congress     }                                         {    Report
                         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session        }                                         {   115-670

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



 
                 SUSQUEHANNA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT

                                _______
                                

  May 11, 2018.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

Mr. Bishop of Utah, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted 
                             the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 2991]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 2991) to establish the Susquehanna National 
Heritage Area in the State of Pennsylvania, and for other 
purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon 
with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do 
pass.
    The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Susquehanna National Heritage Area 
Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

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

SEC. 3. SUSQUEHANNA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

  (a) Establishment.--There is established the Susquehanna National 
Heritage Area in the State.
  (b) Boundaries.--The Heritage Area shall include Lancaster and York 
Counties, Pennsylvania.

SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.

  (a) Local Coordinating Entity.--The Susquehanna Heritage Corporation, 
a nonprofit organization established under the laws of the State, shall 
be the local coordinating entity for the Heritage Area.
  (b) Authorities of Local Coordinating Entity.--The local coordinating 
entity may, for purposes of preparing and implementing the management 
plan--
          (1) prepare reports, studies, interpretive exhibits and 
        programs, historic preservation projects, and other activities 
        recommended in the management plan for the Heritage Area;
          (2) make grants to the State, political subdivisions of the 
        State, nonprofit organizations, and other persons;
          (3) enter into cooperative agreements with the State, 
        political subdivisions of the State, nonprofit organizations, 
        and other organizations;
          (4) hire and compensate staff;
          (5) obtain funds or services from any source, including funds 
        and services provided under any Federal program or law, in 
        which case the Federal share of the cost of any activity 
        carried out using Federal funds shall not be more than 50 
        percent; and
          (6) to contract for goods and services.
  (c) Duties of Local Coordinating Entity.--To further the purposes of 
the Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity shall--
          (1) prepare a management plan for the Heritage Area in 
        accordance with section 5;
          (2) give priority to the implementation of actions, goals, 
        and strategies set forth in the management plan, including 
        assisting units of government and other persons in--
                  (A) carrying out programs and projects that recognize 
                and protect important resource values in the Heritage 
                Area;
                  (B) encouraging economic viability in the Heritage 
                Area in accordance with the goals of the management 
                plan;
                  (C) establishing and maintaining interpretive 
                exhibits in the Heritage Area;
                  (D) developing heritage-based recreational and 
                educational opportunities for residents and visitors in 
                the Heritage Area;
                  (E) increasing public awareness of and appreciation 
                for the natural, historic, and cultural resources of 
                the Heritage Area;
                  (F) restoring historic buildings that are--
                          (i) located in the Heritage Area; and
                          (ii) related to the themes of the Heritage 
                        Area; and
                  (G) installing throughout the Heritage Area clear, 
                consistent, and appropriate signs identifying public 
                access points and sites of interest;
          (3) consider the interests of diverse units of government, 
        businesses, tourism officials, private property owners, and 
        nonprofit groups within the Heritage Area in developing and 
        implementing the management plan;
          (4) conduct public meetings at least semiannually regarding 
        the development and implementation of the management plan; and
          (5) for any fiscal year for which Federal funds are expended 
        for the Heritage Area--
                  (A) submit to the Secretary an annual report that 
                describes--
                          (i) the accomplishments of the local 
                        coordinating entity;
                          (ii) the expenses and income of the local 
                        coordinating entity; and
                          (iii) the entities to which the local 
                        coordinating entity made any grants;
                  (B) make available for audit all records relating to 
                the expenditure of the Federal funds and any matching 
                funds; and
                  (C) require, with respect to all agreements 
                authorizing the expenditure of Federal funds by other 
                organizations, that the receiving organizations make 
                available for audit all records relating to the 
                expenditure of the Federal funds.
  (d) Prohibition on Acquisition of Real Property.--
          (1) In general.--The local coordinating entity shall not use 
        Federal funds to acquire real property or any interest in real 
        property.
          (2) Other sources.--Nothing in this Act precludes the local 
        coordinating entity from using funds from other sources for 
        authorized purposes, including the acquisition of real property 
        or any interest in real property.

SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

  (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds 
are first made available to carry out this Act, the local coordinating 
entity shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a management plan for 
the Heritage Area.
  (b) Contents.--The management plan for the Heritage Area shall--
          (1) include comprehensive policies, strategies, and 
        recommendations for the conservation, funding, management, and 
        development of the Heritage Area;
          (2) include a description of actions and commitments that 
        governments, private organizations, and citizens will take to 
        protect, enhance, and interpret the natural, historic, scenic, 
        and cultural resources of the Heritage Area;
          (3) describe a program of implementation for the management 
        plan that includes--
                  (A) performance goals and ongoing performance 
                evaluation;
                  (B) plans for resource protection, enhancement and 
                interpretation; and
                  (C) specific commitments for implementation that have 
                been made by the local coordinating entity or any 
                government, organization, business or individual;
          (4) include an interpretative plan for the Heritage Area;
          (5) take into consideration existing State, county, and local 
        plans;
          (6) specify the existing and potential sources of funding to 
        protect, manage, and develop the Heritage Area;
          (7) include an inventory of the natural, historic, cultural, 
        educational, scenic, and recreational resources of the Heritage 
        Area relating to the themes of the Heritage Area that should be 
        preserved, restored, managed, developed, or maintained; and
          (8) include an analysis of, and recommendations for, ways in 
        which Federal, State, and local programs, may best be 
        coordinated to further the purposes of this Act, including 
        recommendations for the role of the National Park Service in 
        the Heritage Area.
  (c) Approval and Disapproval of Management Plan.--
          (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
        which the local coordinating entity submits the management plan 
        to the Secretary, the Secretary shall approve or disapprove the 
        proposed management plan.
          (2) Considerations.--In determining whether to approve or 
        disapprove the management plan, the Secretary shall consider 
        whether--
                  (A) the local coordinating entity is representative 
                of the diverse interests of the Heritage Area, 
                including governments, natural and historic resource 
                protection organizations, educational institutions, 
                businesses, and recreational organizations;
                  (B) the local coordinating entity has provided 
                adequate opportunities (including public meetings) for 
                public and governmental involvement in the preparation 
                of the management plan;
                  (C) the resource protection and interpretation 
                strategies contained in the management plan, if 
                implemented, would adequately protect the natural, 
                historic, and cultural resources of the Heritage Area; 
                and
                  (D) the management plan is supported by the 
                appropriate State and local officials, the cooperation 
                of which is needed to ensure the effective 
                implementation of the State and local aspects of the 
                management plan.
          (3) Disapproval and revisions.--
                  (A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves a 
                proposed management plan, the Secretary shall--
                          (i) advise the local coordinating entity, in 
                        writing, of the reasons for the disapproval; 
                        and
                          (ii) make recommendations for revision of the 
                        proposed management plan.
                  (B) Approval or disapproval.--The Secretary shall 
                approve or disapprove a revised management plan not 
                later than 180 days after the date on which the revised 
                management plan is submitted.
  (d) Approval of Amendments.--The Secretary shall review and approve 
or disapprove substantial amendments to the management plan in 
accordance with subsection (c).

SEC. 6. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

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

SEC. 7. PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REGULATORY PROTECTIONS.

  Nothing in this Act--
          (1) abridges the rights of any property owner (whether public 
        or private), including the right to refrain from participating 
        in any plan, project, program, or activity conducted within the 
        Heritage Area;
          (2) requires any property owner to permit public access 
        (including access by Federal, State, or local agencies) to the 
        property of the property owner, or to modify public access or 
        use of property of the property owner under any other Federal, 
        State, or local law;
          (3) alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved 
        land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal, 
        State, or local agency, or conveys any land use or other 
        regulatory authority to the local coordinating entity;
          (4) authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation of 
        water or water rights;
          (5) affects the licensing or relicensing of facilities by the 
        Federal Energy Regulatory Commission within the proposed 
        Heritage Area or upstream or downstream from the proposed 
        Heritage Area on the Susquehanna River, including FERC Project 
        No. 405-104;
          (6) diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish and 
        wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting 
        within the Heritage Area; or
          (7) creates any liability, or affects any liability under any 
        other law, of any private property owner with respect to any 
        person injured on the private property.

SEC. 8. EVALUATION; REPORT.

  (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the approval of the 
management plan under section 5(c), the Secretary shall--
          (1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of the 
        Heritage Area; and
          (2) prepare a report in accordance with subsection (c).
  (b) Evaluation.--An evaluation conducted under subsection (a)(1) 
shall--
          (1) assess the progress of the local coordinating entity with 
        respect to--
                  (A) accomplishing the purposes of this Act for the 
                Heritage Area; and
                  (B) achieving the goals and objectives of the 
                approved management plan for the Heritage Area;
          (2) analyze the Federal, State, local, and private 
        investments in the Heritage Area to determine the leverage and 
        impact of the investments; and
          (3) review the management structure, partnership 
        relationships, and funding of the Heritage Area for purposes of 
        identifying the critical components for sustainability of the 
        Heritage Area.
  (c) Report.--
          (1) In general.--Based on the evaluation conducted under 
        subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall prepare a report that 
        includes recommendations for the future role of the National 
        Park Service, if any, with respect to the Heritage Area.
          (2) Submission to congress.--On completion of the report, the 
        Secretary shall submit the report to--
                  (A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
                the Senate; and
                  (B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House 
                of Representatives.

SEC. 9. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.

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

                          PURPOSE OF THE BILL

    The purpose of H.R. 2991 is to establish the Susquehanna 
National Heritage Area in the State of Pennsylvania.

                  BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    The proposed Susquehanna National Heritage Area encompasses 
both Lancaster and York counties in South Central Pennsylvania. 
The area currently holds a State designation as a Pennsylvania 
Heritage Area.\1\
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    \1\``Facts and Figures'' Heritage PA. http://www.heritagepa.com/
facts-and-figures/
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    The Susquehanna Heritage Corporation is a local non-profit 
organization focused on the Susquehanna River and the 
communities and landscapes along the River in Lancaster and 
York Counties. It is part of Heritage PA, a network of State-
designated Pennsylvania Heritage Areas. The Corporation 
advocates for local involvement in the area and since 2001 has 
helped raise over $18 million for the current State heritage 
area through local support, State and federal grants, and 
private donations.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \2\``Who We Are'' Susquehanna Heritage. http://
www.susquehannaheritage.org/about-us/mission-vision/
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    Named after the Susquehannock, an Iroquoian tribe that 
lived along the River, the Susquehanna River is approximately 
444 miles long, making it the longest river on the East Coast 
and the 16th longest river in the United States. The River 
flows from upstate New York to the Chesapeake Bay passing along 
both Lancaster and York Counties in Pennsylvania. The 
Susquehanna is broad and shallow with an average daily flow of 
22 billion gallons of water making it ideal for boating and 
fishing.\3\
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    \3\``The Susquehanna River'' Visit Central PA. http://
www.visitcentralpa.org/things-to-do/the-susquehanna-river
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    Formed in 1729 after residents petitioned for a new county, 
Lancaster became the fourth county in Pennsylvania. Located 
along the Susquehanna River, Lancaster County quickly prospered 
and served as the State capital from 1799 to 1812.\4\ Today, 
the County is a tourist destination featuring Pennsylvania 
Dutch Country museums, outdoor activities, authentic Amish 
experiences, and a historic downtown.\5\
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    \4\``Lancaster History'' Lancaster County Pennsylvania. https://
www.co.lancaster.pa.us/195/Lancaster-History
    \5\``Things to Do'' Discover Lancaster. http://
www.discoverlancaster.com/activities/index.asp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    York County was founded in 1749 after being deeded to 
Pennsylvania by the American Indians who inhabited the area. 
Since its founding, many residents of the County played 
significant roles in the American Revolution and the Civil War. 
Following the Revolution, York County was primarily an 
agricultural community and served as a place for continued 
industrialization as the coal-burning locomotive was perfected 
in York County.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \6\``York County History'' York County Pennsylvania. https://
yorkcountypa.gov/about-york-county/york-county-history.html
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    H.R. 2991, the Susquehanna National Heritage Area Act, 
would establish the Susquehanna National Heritage Area in 
Pennsylvania and designate the Susquehanna Heritage Corporation 
as the local coordinating entity for the area.

                            COMMITTEE ACTION

    H.R. 2991 was introduced on June 21, 2017, by Congressman 
Lloyd Smucker (R-PA). The bill was referred to the Committee on 
Natural Resources, and within the Committee to the Subcommittee 
on Federal Lands. On April 11, 2018, the Subcommittee held a 
hearing on the legislation. On April 18, 2018, the Natural 
Resources Committee met to consider the bill. The Subcommittee 
was discharged by unanimous consent. Congressman Rob Bishop (R-
UT) offered an amendment designated #1; it was adopted by 
unanimous consent. No additional amendments were offered and 
the bill, as amended, was ordered favorably reported to the 
House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

            COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

    Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee on Natural Resources' oversight findings and 
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.

      COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII AND CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT

    1. Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act. 
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) and (3) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 
sections 308(a) and 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974, the Committee has received the following estimate for the 
bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                      Washington, DC, May 11, 2018.
Hon. Rob Bishop,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2991, the 
Susquehanna National Heritage Area Act.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Janani 
Shankaran.
            Sincerely,
                                                Keith Hall,
                                                          Director.
    Enclosure.

H.R. 2991--Susquehanna National Heritage Area Act

    H.R. 2991 would establish the Susquehanna National Heritage 
Area (NHA) in Lancaster and York Counties, Pennsylvania. The 
bill also would designate the Susquehanna Heritage Corporation, 
a non-profit organization, as the local coordinating entity and 
would require the corporation to submit a management plan for 
the Susquehanna NHA. The bill would direct the National Park 
Service (NPS) to provide assistance to local partners.
    The NPS provides technical and financial assistance to NHAs 
through the Heritage Partnership Program. According to the NPS, 
under that program the agency typically awards $150,000 
annually to newly established NHAs. Based on the experience of 
other NHAs, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2991 would 
cost about $1 million over the 2019-2023 period; such spending 
would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
    Enacting H.R. 2991 would not affect direct spending or 
revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
    CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 2991 would not increase 
net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four 
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2029.
    H.R. 2991 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Janani 
Shankaran. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, 
Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
    2. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by 
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or 
objective of this bill is to establish the Susquehanna National 
Heritage Area in the State of Pennsylvania.

                           EARMARK STATEMENT

    This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks, 
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined 
under clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives.

                    COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104-4

    This bill contains no unfunded mandates.

                       COMPLIANCE WITH H. RES. 5

    Directed Rule Making. This bill does not contain any 
directed rule makings.
    Duplication of Existing Programs. This bill does not 
establish or reauthorize a program of the federal government 
known to be duplicative of another program. Such program was 
not included in any report from the Government Accountability 
Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139 
or identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance published pursuant to the Federal Program 
Information Act (Public Law 95-220, as amended by Public Law 
98-169) as relating to other programs.

                PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW

    This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or 
tribal law.

                        CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

    If enacted, this bill would make no changes to existing 
law.