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I 108TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 1594 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 APRIL 3, 2003 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. ST. CROIX NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY. 3 (a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the 4 ‘‘St. Croix National Heritage Area Study Act’’. 5 (b) STUDY.—The Secretary of the Interior, in con- 6 sultation with appropriate State historic preservation offi- 7 cers, States historical societies, and other appropriate or- 8 2 •HR 1594 IH ganizations, shall conduct a study regarding the suitability 1 and feasibility of designating the island of St. Croix as 2 the St. Croix National Heritage Area. The study shall in- 3 clude analysis, documentation, and determination regard- 4 ing whether the island of St. Croix— 5 (1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and 6 cultural resources that together represent distinctive 7 aspects of American heritage worthy of recognition, 8 conservation, interpretation, and continuing use, and 9 are best managed through partnerships among pub- 10 lic and private entities and by combining diverse and 11 sometimes noncontiguous resources and active com- 12 munities; 13 (2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and 14 folklife that are a valuable part of the national story; 15 (3) provides outstanding opportunities to con- 16 serve natural, historic, cultural, or scenic features; 17 (4) provides outstanding recreational and edu- 18 cational opportunities; 19 (5) contains resources important to the identi- 20 fied theme or themes of the island of St. Croix that 21 retain a degree of integrity capable of supporting in- 22 terpretation; 23 (6) includes residents, business interests, non- 24 profit organizations, and local and State govern- 25 3 •HR 1594 IH ments that are involved in the planning, have devel- 1 oped a conceptual financial plan that outlines the 2 roles of all participants (including the Federal Gov- 3 ernment), and have demonstrated support for the 4 concept of a national heritage area; 5 (7) has a potential management entity to work 6 in partnership with residents, business interests, 7 nonprofit organizations, and local and State govern- 8 ments to develop a national heritage area consistent 9 with continued local and State economic activity; 10 and 11 (8) has a conceptual boundary map that is sup- 12 ported by the public. 13 (c) REPORT.—Not later than 3 fiscal years after the 14 date on which funds are first made available for this sec- 15 tion, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the Com- 16 mittee on Resources of the House of Representatives and 17 the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 18 Senate a report on the findings, conclusions, and rec- 19 ommendations of the study. 20 Æ