,i #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #hi ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,january #c1 #bjac ,mrs4 ,christensen 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,pierluisi1 ,mr4 ,faleomavaega1 and ,ms4 ,bordallo7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to establish the ,st4 ,croix ,national ,heritage ,area1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,st4 ,croix ,national ,heritage ,area 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,heritage area ,the term ,heritage ,area means the ,st4 ,croix ,national ,heritage ,area established by subsection 7b77#a74 7#b7 ,local coordinating entity ,the term local coordinating entity means the local coordinating entity for the ,heritage ,area designated by subsection 7b77#d74 7#c7 ,management plan ,the term management plan means the management plan for the ,heritage ,area required under subsection 7d74 7#d7 ,map ,the term map means the map entitled ,proposed ,st4 ,croix ,national ,heritage ,area and dated 4 7#e7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior4 7#f7 ,state ,the term ,state means ,st4 ,croix1 ,u4,s4 ,virgin ,islands4 7b7 ,st4 ,croix ,national ,heritage ,area 7#a7 ,establishment ,there is established in the ,state the ,st4 ,croix ,national ,heritage ,area4 7#b7 ,conceptual boundaries ,the ,heritage ,area shall consist of the entire island4 7#c7 ,map ,a map of the ,heritage ,area shall be-- 7,a7 included in the management plan2 and 7,b7 on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the ,national ,park ,service4 7#d7 ,local coordinating entity 7,a7 ,in general ,the local coordinating entity for the ,heritage ,area shall be known as ,st4 ,croix ,united for ,community1 ,culture1 ,environment1 and ,economic ,development 7,,succeed7 ,inc4 7,b7 ,membership requirements ,membership in ,,succeed1 ,inc4 shall be open to a broad cross-section of public1 private1 and non-governmental sectors including businesses1 individuals1 agencies1 and organizations that were involved in the planning and development of the ,heritage ,area prior to the enactment of this ,act4 7c7 ,administration 7#a7 ,authorities ,for purposes of carrying out the management plan1 the ,secretary1 acting through the local coordinating entity1 may use amounts made available under this section to-- 7,a7 make grants to the ,state or a political subdivision of the ,state1 nonprofit organizations1 and other persons2 7,b7 enter into cooperative agreements with1 or provide technical assistance to1 the ,state or a political subdivision of the ,state1 nonprofit organizations1 and other interested parties2 7,c7 hire and compensate staff1 which shall include individuals with expertise in natural1 cultural1 and historical resources protection1 and heritage programming2 7,d7 obtain money or services from any source including any that are provided under any other ,federal law or program2 7,e7 contract for goods or services2 and 7,f7 undertake to be a catalyst for any other activity that furthers the ,heritage ,area and is consistent with the approved management plan4 7#b7 ,duties ,the local coordinating entity shall-- 7,a7 in accordance with subsection 7d71 prepare and submit a management plan for the ,heritage ,area to the ,secretary2 7,b7 assist units of local government1 regional planning organizations1 and nonprofit organizations in carrying out the approved management plan by-- 7i7 carrying out programs and projects that recognize1 protect1 and enhance important resource values in the ,heritage ,area2 7ii7 establishing and maintaining interpretive exhibits and programs in the ,heritage ,area2 7iii7 developing recreational and educational opportunities in the ,heritage ,area2 7iv7 increasing public awareness of1 and appreciation for1 natural1 historical1 scenic1 and cultural resources of the ,heritage ,area2 7v7 protecting and restoring historic sites and buildings in the ,heritage ,area that are consistent with ,heritage ,area themes2 7vi7 ensuring that clear1 consistent1 and appropriate signs identifying points of public access1 and sites of interest are posted throughout the ,heritage ,area2 and 7vii7 promoting a wide range of partnerships among governments1 organizations1 and individuals to further the ,heritage ,area2 7,c7 consider the interests of diverse units of government1 businesses1 organizations1 and individuals in the ,heritage ,area in the preparation and implementation of the management plan2 7,d7 conduct meetings open to the public at least semiannually regarding the development and implementation of the management plan2 7,e7 for any year that ,federal funds have been received under this section-- 7i7 submit an annual report to the ,secretary that describes the activities1 expenses1 and income of the local coordinating entity 7including grants to any other entities during the year that the report is made72 7ii7 make available to the ,secretary for audit all records relating to the expenditure of the funds and any matching funds2 and 7iii7 require1 with respect to all agreements authorizing expenditure of ,federal funds by other organizations1 that the organizations receiving the funds make available to the ,secretary for audit all records concerning the expenditure of the funds2 and 7,f7 encourage by appropriate means economic viability that is consistent with the ,heritage ,area4 7#c7 ,prohibition on the acquisition of real property ,the local coordinating entity shall not use ,federal funds made available under this section to acquire real property or any interest in real property4 7#d7 ,cost-sharing requirement 7,a7 ,authorization of ,appropriations ,subject to subsection 7b71 there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act not more than #a1jjj1jjj for any fiscal year4 ,funds so appropriated shall remain available until expended4 7,b7 ,cost-sharing ,requirement ,the ,federal share of the total cost of any activity under this ,act shall be not more than #ej percent2 the non-,federal contribution may be in the form of in-kind contributions of goods or services fairly valued4 7d7 ,management plan 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #c years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the local coordinating entity shall submit to the ,secretary for approval a proposed management plan for the ,heritage ,area4 7#b7 ,requirements ,the management plan shall-- 7,a7 incorporate an integrated and cooperative approach for the protection1 enhancement1 and interpretation of the natural1 cultural1 historic1 scenic1 and recreational resources of the ,heritage ,area2 7,b7 take into consideration ,state and local plans2 7,c7 include-- 7i7 an inventory of-- 7,i7 the resources located in the core area described in subsection 7b77#b72 and 7,,ii7 any other property in the core area that-- 7aa7 is related to the themes of the ,heritage ,area2 and 7bb7 should be preserved1 restored1 managed1 or maintained because of the significance of the property2 7ii7 describe comprehensive policies1 goals1 strategies and recommendations for telling the story of the heritage of the area covered by the designation and encouraging long-term resource protection1 enhancement1 interpretation1 funding1 management1 and development2 7iii7 a description of actions that governments1 private organizations1 and individuals have agreed to take to protect the natural1 historical and cultural resources of the ,heritage ,area2 7iv7 a program of implementation for the management plan by the local coordinating entity that includes a description of-- 7,i7 actions to facilitate ongoing collaboration among partners to promote plans for resource protection1 restoration1 and construction2 and 7,,ii7 specific commitments for implementation that have been made by the local coordinating entity or any government1 organization1 or individual for the first #e years of operation2 7v7 the identification of sources of funding for carrying out the management plan2 7vi7 analysis and recommendations for means by which local1 ,state1 and ,federal programs1 may best be coordinated to carry out this section2 and 7vii7 a business plan that describes the role1 operation1 financing1 and functions of the local coordinating entity and of each of the major activities contained in the management plan and provides adequate assurances that the local coordinating entity has the partnerships and financial and other resources necessary to implement the management plan for the ,national ,heritage ,area2 and 7,d7 recommend policies and strategies for resource management that consider and detail the application of appropriate land and water management techniques1 including the development of intergovernmental and interagency cooperative agreements to protect the natural1 historical1 cultural1 educational1 scenic1 and recreational resources of the ,heritage ,area4 7#c7 ,deadline ,if a proposed management plan is not submitted to the ,secretary by the date that is #c years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the local coordinating entity shall be ineligible to receive additional funding under this section until the date that the ,secretary receives and approves the management plan4 7#d7 ,approval or disapproval of management plan 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of receipt of the management plan under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,state1 shall approve or disapprove the management plan4 7,b7 ,criteria for approval ,in determining whether to approve the management plan1 the ,secretary shall consider whether-- 7i7 the local coordinating entity is representative of the diverse interests of the ,heritage ,area1 including governments1 natural and historic resource protection organizations1 educational institutions1 businesses1 and recreational organizations2 7ii7 the local coordinating entity has afforded adequate opportunity1 including public hearings1 for public and governmental involvement in the preparation of the management plan2 and 7iii7 the resource protection and interpretation strategies contained in the management plan1 if implemented1 would adequately protect the natural1 historical1 and cultural resources of the ,heritage ,area4 7,c7 ,action following disapproval ,if the ,secretary disapproves the management plan under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall-- 7i7 advise the local coordinating entity in writing of the reasons for the disapproval2 7ii7 make recommendations for revisions to the management plan2 and 7iii7 not later than #ahj days after the receipt of any proposed revision of the management plan from the local coordinating entity1 approve or disapprove the proposed revision4 7,d7 ,amendments 7i7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall approve or disapprove each amendment to the management plan that the ,secretary determines make a substantial change to the management plan4 7ii7 ,use of funds ,the local coordinating entity shall not use ,federal funds authorized by this section to carry out any amendments to the management plan until the ,secretary has approved the amendments4 7e7 ,relationship to other federal agencies 7#a7 ,in general ,nothing in this section affects the authority of a ,federal agency to provide technical or financial assistance under any other law4 7#b7 ,consultation and coordination ,the head of any ,federal agency planning to conduct activities that may have an impact on the ,heritage ,area is encouraged to consult and coordinate the activities with the ,secretary and the local coordinating entity to the maximum extent practicable4 7#c7 ,other federal agencies ,nothing in this section-- 7,a7 modifies1 alters1 or amends any law or regulation authorizing a ,federal agency to manage ,federal land under the jurisdiction of the ,federal agency2 7,b7 limits the discretion of a ,federal land manager to implement an approved land use plan within the boundaries of the ,heritage ,area2 or 7,c7 modifies1 alters1 or amends any authorized use of ,federal land under the jurisdiction of a ,federal agency4 7f7 ,private property and regulatory protections ,nothing in this section-- 7#a7 abridges the rights of any property owner 7whether public or private71 including the right to refrain from participating in any plan1 project1 program1 or activity conducted within the ,heritage ,area2 7#b7 requires any property owner to permit public access 7including access by ,federal1 ,state1 or local agencies7 to the property of the property owner1 or to modify public access or use of property of the property owner under any other ,federal1 ,state1 or local law2 7#c7 alters any duly adopted land use regulation1 approved land use plan1 or other regulatory authority of any ,federal1 ,state1 or local agency1 or conveys any land use or other regulatory authority to the local coordinating entity2 7#d7 authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation of water or water rights2 7#e7 diminishes the authority of the ,state to manage fish and wildlife1 including the regulation of fishing and hunting within the ,heritage ,area2 or 7#f7 creates any liability1 or affects any liability under any other law1 of any private property owner with respect to any person injured on the private property4 7g7 ,evaluation2 report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #c years before the date on which authority for ,federal funding terminates for the ,heritage ,area1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of the ,heritage ,area2 and 7,b7 prepare a report in accordance with paragraph 7#c74 7#b7 ,evaluation ,an evaluation conducted under paragraph 7#a77;,a7 shall-- 7,a7 assess the progress of the local coordinating entity with respect to-- 7i7 accomplishing the purposes of this section for the ,heritage ,area2 and 7ii7 achieving the goals and objectives of the approved management plan for the ,heritage ,area2 7,b7 analyze the ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and private investments in the ,heritage ,area to determine the leverage and impact of the investments2 and 7,c7 review the management structure1 partnership relationships1 and funding of the ,heritage ,area for purposes of identifying the critical components for sustainability of the ,heritage ,area4 7#c7 ,report 7,a7 ,in general ,based on the evaluation conducted under paragraph 7#a77;,a71 the ,secretary shall prepare a report that includes recommendations for the future role of the ,national ,park ,service1 if any1 with respect to the ,heritage ,area4 7,b7 ,required analysis ,if the report prepared under subparagraph 7,a7 recommends that ,federal funding for the ,heritage ,area be reauthorized1 the report shall include an analysis of-- 7i7 ways in which ,federal funding for the ,heritage ,area may be reduced or eliminated2 and 7ii7 the appropriate time period necessary to achieve the recommended reduction or elimination4 7,c7 ,submission to congress ,on completion of the report1 the ,secretary shall submit the report to-- 7i7 the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate2 and 7ii7 the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives4 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #aj1jjj1jjj1 of which not more than #a1jjj1jjj may be made available for any fiscal year4 7i7 ,termination of authority ,the authority of the ,secretary to provide assistance under this section terminates on the date that is #ae years after the date of enactment of this ,act4