[107th Congress Public Law 256]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]


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[DOCID: f:publ256.107]


[[Page 116 STAT. 1735]]

Public Law 107-256
107th Congress

                                 An Act


 
  To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the 
 suitability and feasibility of establishing the Niagara Falls National 
         Heritage Area in the State of New York, and for other 
             purposes. <<NOTE: Oct. 29, 2002 -  [S. 1227]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Niagara Falls 
National Heritage Area Study Act.>> 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Niagara Falls National Heritage Area 
Study Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (2) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means lands in 
        Niagara County, New York, along and in the vicinity of the 
        Niagara River.

SEC. 3. NIAGARA FALLS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a study of the 
suitability and feasibility of establishing a heritage area in the State 
of New York to be known as the ``Niagara Falls National Heritage Area''.
    (b) Analyses and Documentation.--The study shall include analysis 
and documentation of whether the study area--
            (1) contains an assemblage of natural, historical, scenic, 
        and cultural resources that represent distinctive aspects of the 
        heritage of the United States that--
                    (A) are worthy of recognition, conservation, 
                interpretation, and continued use; and
                    (B) would best be managed--
                          (i) through partnerships among public and 
                      private entities; and
                          (ii) by combining diverse and sometimes 
                      noncontiguous resources and active communities;
            (2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife that 
        are a valuable part of the story of the United States;
            (3) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve natural, 
        historical, scenic, or cultural features;
            (4) provides outstanding recreational and educational 
        opportunities;
            (5) contains resources important to the identified theme of 
        the study area that retain a degree of integrity capable of 
        supporting interpretation;

[[Page 116 STAT. 1736]]

            (6) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit 
        organizations, and State and local governments that--
                    (A) are involved in planning a national heritage 
                area;
                    (B) have developed a conceptual financial plan for a 
                national heritage area that outlines the roles for all 
                participants, including the Federal Government; and
                    (C) have demonstrated support for the concept of a 
                national heritage area;
            (7) has a potential management entity to work in partnership 
        with residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations, and 
        State and local governments to develop a national heritage area 
        consistent with continued State and local economic activity; and
            (8) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the 
        public.

    (c) Consultation.--In conducting the study, the Secretary shall 
consult with--
            (1) State and local agencies; and
            (2) interested organizations within the study area.

    (d) <<NOTE: Deadline.>>  Report.--Not later than 3 fiscal years 
after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this Act, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Resources of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
Senate a report that describes the findings, conclusions, and 
recommendations of the study under subsection (a).

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated $300,000 to carry out this 
Act.

    Approved October 29, 2002.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 1227:
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HOUSE REPORTS: No. 107-668 (Comm. on Resources).
SENATE REPORTS: No. 107-179 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 148 (2002):
            Aug. 1, considered and passed Senate.
            Oct. 16, considered and passed House.
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 38 (2002):
            Oct. 30, Presidential statement.

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