[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2985 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2985
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess
the suitability and feasibility of designating certain land in the
State of Kentucky as the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 5, 2019
Mr. McConnell introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess
the suitability and feasibility of designating certain land in the
State of Kentucky as the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area, and
for other purposes.
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 ``Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage
Area Study Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the
Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Kentucky.
(4) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means--
(A) Adair, Bath, Bell, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter,
Casey, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Elliott, Floyd,
Green, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel,
Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Magoffin,
Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Morgan,
Owsley, Perry, Pike, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan,
Russell, Wayne, Whitley, and Wolfe Counties in the
State; and
(B) any other areas in the State that--
(i) have heritage aspects that are similar
to the heritage aspects of the areas described
in subparagraph (A); and
(ii) are adjacent to, or in the vicinity
of, the areas described in that subparagraph.
SEC. 3. STUDY.
(a) In General.--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, shall conduct a study to
assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as
a National Heritage Area, to be known as the ``Kentucky Wildlands
National Heritage Area''.
(b) Requirements.--The study shall include analysis, documentation,
and determinations on whether the study area--
(1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural
resources that--
(A) represent distinctive aspects of the heritage
of the United States;
(B) are worthy of recognition, conservation,
interpretation, and continuing use; and
(C) would be best managed--
(i) through partnerships among public and
private entities; and
(ii) by linking 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--
(A) to conserve natural, historic, cultural, or
scenic features; and
(B) for recreation and education;
(4) contains resources that--
(A) are important to any identified themes of the
study area; and
(B) retain a degree of integrity capable of
supporting interpretation;
(5) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit
organizations, and State and local governments that--
(A) are involved in the planning of the Heritage
Area;
(B) have developed a conceptual financial plan that
outlines the roles of all participants in the Heritage
Area, including the Federal Government; and
(C) have demonstrated support for the designation
of the Heritage Area;
(6) has a potential management entity to work in
partnership with the individuals and entities described in
paragraph (5) to develop the Heritage Area while encouraging
State and local economic activity;
(7) could impact the rights of private property owners with
respect to private property; and
(8) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the
public.
SEC. 4. REPORT.
Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made
available to carry out this Act, 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--
(1) the findings of the study under section 3; and
(2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.
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