54 USC 120103 - National Heritage Area studies and designation

Collapse to view only § 120103. National Heritage Area studies and designation

§ 120101. Definition of National Heritage Area
§ 120102. Establishment of National Heritage Area System
§ 120103. National Heritage Area studies and designation
§ 120104. Evaluation

§ 120101. Definition of National Heritage Area

In this chapter, the term “National Heritage Area” means a component of the National Heritage Area System described in section 120102(b).

(Added Pub. L. 117–339, § 2(a), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6158.)

§ 120102. Establishment of National Heritage Area System

(a)In General.—To recognize certain areas of the United States that tell nationally significant stories and to conserve, enhance, and interpret those nationally significant stories and the natural, historic, scenic, and cultural resources of areas that illustrate significant aspects of the heritage of the United States, there is established a National Heritage Area System through the administration of which the Secretary may provide technical and financial assistance to local coordinating entities to support the establishment, development, and continuity of the National Heritage Areas.

(b)National Heritage Area System Components.—The National Heritage Area System shall be composed of—

(1) each National Heritage Area, National Heritage Corridor, National Heritage Canalway, Cultural Heritage Corridor, National Heritage Route, and National Heritage Partnership designated by Congress before or on the date of enactment of this chapter; and

(2) each National Heritage Area designated by Congress after the date of enactment of this chapter.

(c)Relationship to the System.—

(1)Relationship to system units.—The Secretary shall—

(A) ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, participation and assistance by any administrator of the System unit that is located near or encompassed by a National Heritage Area in local initiatives for the National Heritage Area to conserve and interpret resources consistent with the applicable management plan for the National Heritage Area; and

(B) work with local coordinating entities to promote public enjoyment of System units and System-related resources.

(2)Treatment.—

(A)In general.—A National Heritage Area shall not be—

(i) considered to be a System unit; or

(ii) subject to the authorities applicable to System units.

(B)Effect.—Nothing in this paragraph affects the administration of a System unit located within the boundaries of a National Heritage Area.

(d)Authorities.—In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary may—

(1) conduct or review, as applicable, feasibility studies in accordance with section 120103(a);

(2) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of, and submit to Congress a report that includes recommendations regarding the role of the Service with respect to, each National Heritage Area, in accordance with section 120104;

(3) enter into cooperative agreements with other Federal agencies, States, Tribal governments, local governments, local coordinating entities, and other interested individuals and entities to achieve the purposes of the National Heritage Area System;

(4) provide information, promote understanding, and encourage research regarding National Heritage Areas, in partnership with local coordinating entities; and

(5) provide national oversight, analysis, coordination, technical and financial assistance, and support to ensure consistency and accountability of the National Heritage Area System.

(Added Pub. L. 117–339, § 2(a), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6158.)

§ 120103. National Heritage Area studies and designation

(a)Studies.—

(1)In general.—Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary may carry out or review a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of each proposed National Heritage Area for designation as a National Heritage Area.

(2)Preparation.—

(A)In general.—A study under paragraph (1) may be carried out—

(i) by the Secretary, in consultation with State and local historic preservation officers, State and local historical societies, State and local tourism offices, and other appropriate organizations and governmental agencies; or

(ii) by interested individuals or entities, if the Secretary certifies that the completed study meets the requirements of paragraph (3).

(B)Certification.—Not later than 1 year after receiving a study carried out by interested individuals or entities under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary shall review and certify whether the study meets the requirements of paragraph (3).

(3)Requirements.—A study under paragraph (1) shall include analysis, documentation, and determinations on whether the proposed National Heritage Area—

(A) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural resources that—

(i) represent distinctive aspects of the heritage of the United States;

(ii) are worthy of recognition, conservation, interpretation, and continuing use; and

(iii) would be best managed—(I) through partnerships among public and private entities; and(II) by linking diverse and sometimes noncontiguous resources and active communities;

(B) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife that are a valuable part of the story of the United States;

(i) to conserve natural, historic, cultural, or scenic features; and

(ii) for recreation and education;

(D) contains resources that—

(i) are important to any identified themes of the proposed National Heritage Area; and

(ii) retain a degree of integrity capable of supporting interpretation;

(E) includes a diverse group of residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations, and State and local governments that—

(i) are involved in the planning of the proposed National Heritage Area;

(ii) have developed a conceptual financial plan that outlines the roles of all participants in the proposed National Heritage Area, including the Federal Government; and

(iii) have demonstrated significant support for the designation of the proposed National Heritage Area;

(F) has a potential management entity to work in partnership with the individuals and entities described in subparagraph (E) to develop the proposed National Heritage Area while encouraging State and local economic activity; and

(G) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the public.

(4)Report.—

(A)In general.—For each study carried out under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that describes—

(i) any correspondence received by the Secretary demonstrating support for, or opposition to, the establishment of the National Heritage Area;

(ii) the findings of the study; and

(iii) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.

(B)Timing.—

(i)Studies carried out by the secretary.—With respect to a study carried out by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (2)(A)(i), the Secretary shall submit a report under subparagraph (A) not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out the study.

(ii)Studies carried out by other interested parties.—With respect to a study carried out by interested individuals or entities in accordance with paragraph (2)(A)(ii), the Secretary shall submit a report under subparagraph (A) not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary certifies under paragraph (2)(B) that the study meets the requirements of paragraph (3).

(b)Designation.—An area shall be designated as a National Heritage Area only by an Act of Congress.

(Added Pub. L. 117–339, § 2(a), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6159.)

§ 120104. Evaluation

(a)In General.—At reasonable and appropriate intervals, as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary may—

(1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of a National Heritage Area in accordance with subsection (b); and

(2) prepare and submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that includes recommendations for the continued role of the Service with respect to each National Heritage Area in accordance with subsection (c).

(b)Components.—An evaluation under subsection (a)(1) shall—

(1) assess the progress of the applicable local coordinating entity of a National Heritage Area with respect to—

(A) accomplishing the purposes of the applicable National Heritage Area; and

(B) achieving the goals and objectives of the management plan;

(2) analyze Federal, State, local, Tribal government, and private investments in the National Heritage Area to determine the leverage and 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)Recommendations.—Each report under subsection (a)(2) shall include—

(1) if the report contains a recommendation of the Secretary that Federal funding for the applicable National Heritage Area should be continued, an analysis of—

(A) any means by which that Federal funding may be reduced or eliminated over time; and

(B) the appropriate time period necessary to achieve the recommended reduction or elimination of Federal funding; or

(2) if the report contains a recommendation of the Secretary that Federal funding for the applicable National Heritage Area should be eliminated, a description of potential impacts on conservation, interpretation, and sustainability in the applicable National Heritage Area.

(Added Pub. L. 117–339, § 2(a), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6161.)