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I 107TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. R. 5096 To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing the St. Croix National Heritage Area in St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JULY 11, 2002 Mrs. CHRISTENSEN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources A BILL To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing the St. Croix National Heritage Area in St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘St. Croix National 4 Heritage Area Study Act’’. 5 SEC. 2. STUDY. 6 The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with 7 appropriate State historic preservation officers, States his- 8 2 •HR 5096 IH torical societies, and other appropriate organizations, shall 1 conduct a study regarding the suitability and feasibility 2 of designating the island of St. Croix as the St. Croix Na- 3 tional Heritage Area. The study shall include analysis, 4 documentation, and determination regarding whether the 5 island of St. Croix— 6 (1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and 7 cultural resources that together represent distinctive 8 aspects of American heritage worthy of recognition, 9 conservation, interpretation, and continuing use, and 10 are best managed through partnerships among pub- 11 lic and private entities and by combining diverse and 12 sometimes noncontiguous resources and active com- 13 munities; 14 (2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and 15 folklife that are a valuable part of the national story; 16 (3) provides outstanding opportunities to con- 17 serve natural, historic, cultural, or scenic features; 18 (4) provides outstanding recreational and edu- 19 cational opportunities; 20 (5) contains resources important to the identi- 21 fied theme or themes of the island of St. Croix that 22 retain a degree of integrity capable of supporting in- 23 terpretation; 24 3 •HR 5096 IH (6) includes residents, business interests, non- 1 profit organizations, and local and State govern- 2 ments that are involved in the planning, have devel- 3 oped a conceptual financial plan that outlines the 4 roles of all participants (including the Federal Gov- 5 ernment), and have demonstrated support for the 6 concept of a national heritage area; 7 (7) has a potential management entity to work 8 in partnership with residents, business interests, 9 nonprofit organizations, and local and State govern- 10 ments to develop a national heritage area consistent 11 with continued local and State economic activity; 12 and 13 (8) has a conceptual boundary map that is sup- 14 ported by the public. 15 SEC. 3. REPORT. 16 Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which 17 funds are first made available for this Act, the Secretary 18 of the Interior shall submit to the Committee on Resources 19 of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 20 Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on 21 the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the 22 study. 23 Æ