HR 4457 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To establish the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area and the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

December 12, 2007

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi (for himself and Mr. WICKER) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To establish the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area and the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

The table of contents is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--MISSISSIPPI DELTA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT OF 2007

Sec. 101. Short title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 102. Findings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 103. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 104. Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 105. Designation of partnership as coordinating entity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 106. Authorities and duties of coordinating entity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 107. Management plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 108. Duties and authorities of Federal agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 109. Effect.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--MISSISSIPPI HILLS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT OF 2007

Sec. 201. Short title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 202. Findings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 203. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 204. Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 205. Designation of Alliance as management entity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 206. Authorities and duties of Alliance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 207. Management of Heritage Area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 208. Duties and authorities of Federal agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 209. Effect of Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 210. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--MISSISSIPPI DELTA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT OF 2007

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the `Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area Act of 2007'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 102. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the historic, cultural, and natural heritage legacies of the Mississippi Delta are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) nationally significant; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in need of greater recognition;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in the alluvial floodplain that comprises the Mississippi Delta there are a variety of diverse heritage resources that demonstrate--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the labors and social activities of the earliest citizens of the United States, which are revealed in--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) numerous residential and ceremonial mound sites; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) sites significant to the Quapaw, Tunica, Choctaw, and Chickasaw people and other Native Americans;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the clearing and settlement of 1 of the last wilderness frontiers in the 48 contiguous States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the immigration of people of African, Asian, and European descent to the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the labors and social activities of enslaved Africans who provided the bulk of the early labor force for the development of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) large-scale plantation agriculture based on cotton, which is 1 of the most important commodities ever produced in the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the birth and subsequent perfection of the art form that is known as the `Mississippi Delta Blues';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) the role of the Mississippi River as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the architect and sometimes unmerciful tyrant of land; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) an important transportation artery throughout the history of the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) the story of the Great Flood of 1927, which was a defining event in the history of the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) the struggles and triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) the emergence of many local leaders from the Civil Rights Movement;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the Mississippi Delta is the ancestral home of hundreds of thousands of people of the United States who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) migrated north, east, and west during the Great Migration seeking employment and freedom and populating the cities of the United States in the process;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) struggled for equal rights and equal opportunities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) carried their culture, including their family life, faith, food, lifestyle, and music to the rest of the United States, which transformed the United States in the process;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the scenic and natural beauty of the alluvial floodplain known as the `Yazoo-Mississippi Delta'--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) is distinctive and integral to the heritage stories of the region; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) provides critical habitat for migrating birds passing through the Mississippi Flyway;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) the agricultural heritage of the Delta, especially with regards to the cultivation of cotton, soybeans, rice, and catfish has contributed significantly to the story and economy of the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) many of the greatest leaders of the United States in literature, music, civil rights, politics, culinary arts, poetry, society, and religion have come from the Mississippi Delta;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) the small towns, inns, shops, restaurants, artist's workshops, blues clubs, churches, landscape, and vernacular architecture make the Mississippi Delta unique;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) the Mississippi Delta is known internationally as the birthplace of the musical form known as the `Blues', which provided the basis for much of modern popular music; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) there is broad support from local governments and other interested individuals for the establishment of the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area to coordinate and assist in the preservation and interpretation of the resources of the region.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS.

In this title:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) BOARD- The term `Board' means the Board of Directors of the coordinating entity established under this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) HERITAGE AREA- The term `Heritage Area' means the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area established by this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) COORDINATING ENTITY- The term `coordinating entity' means the coordinating entity for the Heritage Area designated by this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) MANAGEMENT PLAN- The term `management plan' means the management plan for the Heritage Area developed under this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) STATE- The term `State' means the State of Mississippi.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 104. MISSISSIPPI DELTA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

(a) Establishment- There is established in the State the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Boundaries- The Heritage Area shall include all counties in the State that contain land located in the alluvial floodplain of the Mississippi Delta, including Bolivar, Carroll, Coahoma, Desoto, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Leflore, Panola, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, Warren, Washington, and Yazoo Counties in the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Map-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this title, the Secretary shall prepare a map of the Heritage Area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AVAILABILITY- The map prepared under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Director of the National Park Service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 105. DESIGNATION OF PARTNERSHIP AS COORDINATING ENTITY.

(a) In General- The Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area Partnership shall be the coordinating entity for the Heritage Area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Board of Directors-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) COMPOSITION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) PARTNERSHIP- The coordinating entity shall be governed by a Board of Directors composed of 7 members, of whom--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) 1 member shall be appointed by Mississippi Valley State University;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) 1 member shall be appointed by Delta State University;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) 1 member shall be appointed by Alcorn State University;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) 1 member shall be appointed by the Delta Foundation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) 1 member shall be appointed by Delta Council;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) 1 member shall be appointed by the Mississippi Office of Tourism Development; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vii) 1 member shall be appointed by the Smith Robertson Museum.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS- At least 4 members of the Board shall reside in the Heritage Area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) OFFICERS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- At the initial meeting of the Board, the members of the Board shall appoint a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Secretary/Treasurer.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) DUTIES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) CHAIRPERSON- The duties of the Chairperson shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) presiding over meetings of the Board;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) executing documents of the Board; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) coordinating activities of the Heritage Area with Federal, State, local, and nongovernmental officials.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) VICE CHAIRPERSON- The Vice Chairperson shall act as Chairperson in the absence or disability of the Chairperson.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Board shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) exercise all corporate powers of the coordinating entity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) manage the activities and affairs of the coordinating entity; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) subject to any limitations in the articles and bylaws of the coordinating entity, this title, and any other applicable Federal or State law, establish the policies of the coordinating entity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) STAFF- The Board shall have the authority to employ any services and staff that are determined to be necessary by a majority vote of the Board.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) BYLAWS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Board may amend or repeal the bylaws of the coordinating entity at any meeting of the Board by a majority vote of the Board.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) NOTICE- The Board shall provide notice of any meeting of the Board at which an amendment to the bylaws is to be considered that includes the text or a summary of the proposed amendment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) MINUTES- Not later than 60 days after a meeting of the Board, the Board shall distribute the minutes of the meeting among all Board members and the county supervisors in each county within the Heritage Area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 106. AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF COORDINATING ENTITY.

(a) Authorities- For purposes of developing and implementing the management plan and otherwise carrying out this title, the coordinating entity may make grants and provide technical assistance to tribal and local governments and other public and private entities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Duties- In carrying out this title, the coordinating entity shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) implement the management plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) assist local and tribal governments and nonprofit organizations in--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) establishing and maintaining interpretive exhibits in the Heritage Area;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) developing recreational resources in the Heritage Area;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) increasing public awareness of, and appreciation for, the Heritage Area;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) restoring historic structures that relate to the Heritage Area; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) carrying out any other activity that the coordinating entity determines to be appropriate to carry out this title, consistent with the management plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) conduct public meetings at least annually regarding the implementation of the management plan; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) for any fiscal year for which Federal funds are made available for the Heritage Area--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) submit to the Secretary a report that describes, for the fiscal year, the actions of the coordinating entity in carrying out this title;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) make available to the Secretary for audit all records relating to the expenditure of funds by any matching funds; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) require, for all agreements authorizing the expenditure of Federal funds by any entity, that the receiving entity make available to the Secretary for audit all records relating to the expenditure of the funds.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Prohibition of Acquisition of Real Property- The coordinating entity shall not use any Federal funds made available under this title to acquire real property or any interest in real property.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 107. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

(a) In General- Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this title, the coordinating entity shall develop and submit to the Secretary a management plan for the Heritage Area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Requirements- The management plan shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) provide recommendations for the conservation, funding, management, interpretation, and development of the cultural, historical, archaeological, natural, and recreational resources of the Heritage Area;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) identify sources of funding for the Heritage Area;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) an inventory of the cultural, historical, archeological, natural, and recreational resources of the Heritage Area; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) an analysis of ways in which Federal, State, tribal, and local programs may best be coordinated to promote the purposes of this title;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) provide recommendations for educational and interpretive programs to inform the public about the resources of the Heritage Area; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) involve residents of affected communities and tribal and local governments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Failure To Submit- If a management plan is not submitted to the Secretary by the date specified in subsection (a), the Secretary shall not provide any additional funding under this title until a management plan for the Heritage Area is submitted to the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 108. DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.

(a) In General- On the request of the coordinating entity, the Secretary may provide technical and financial assistance to the coordinating entity for use in the development and implementation of the management plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Prohibition of Certain Requirements- The Secretary may not, as a condition of the provision of technical or financial assistance under this section, require any recipient of the assistance to impose or modify any land use restriction or zoning ordinance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 109. EFFECT.

Nothing in this title--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) affects or authorizes the coordinating entity to interfere with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the right of any person with respect to private property; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) any local zoning ordinance or land use plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) restricts an Indian tribe from protecting cultural or religious sites on tribal land;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) modifies, enlarges, or diminishes the authority of any State, tribal, or local government to regulate any use of land under any other law (including regulations);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) modifies, enlarges, or diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish and wildlife in the Heritage Area, including the regulation of fishing and hunting;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) authorizes the coordinating entity to assume any authority to manage fish and wildlife in the Heritage Area; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) diminishes the trust responsibilities or government-to-government obligations of the United States of any federally recognized Indian tribe.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--MISSISSIPPI HILLS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT OF 2007

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the `Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area Act of 2007'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 202. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the area in northern Mississippi, and located in the southern foothills of the Appalachian range, has a unique identity that is shaped by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a diverse geological and geographical environment, including substantial portions of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the Red Clay Hills;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the Flatwoods;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) the Pontotoc Ridge;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) the Black Prairie; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) the Northeastern Hills; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) diverse peoples who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) have settled in the area; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) have been strongly influenced by the intersection of the distinctive cultures of Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the area is rich with landmarks of diverse cultural and historical significance, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Native American settlements, particularly those of the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Natchez Trace Parkway;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) sites of important battles and other significant actions of the Civil War, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the Battle of Corinth;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the Battle of Brices Crossroads;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) the Battle of Tupelo;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) Van Dorns' Raid; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) Grierson's Raids;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the Contraband Camp in Corinth;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) the Mississippi University for Women, the first public college for women in the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) Rust College, founded before 1867, which stands as 1 of the 5 remaining historically black colleges in the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) birthplaces of literary and musical icons, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Elvis Aaron Presley, popularly known as the `King of Rock and Roll', born in Tupelo;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) Nobel-Laureate William Faulkner, born in New Albany;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) Tammy Wynette, popularly known as the `The First Lady of Country Music', born in Tremont;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) Tennessee Williams, 1 of the leading playwrights of the United States, born in Columbus;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) Chester A. Burnett, otherwise known as the legendary bluesman `Howlin' Wolf', born in White Station;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) opera diva Ruby Elzy, born in Pontotoc; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vii) Mississippi Hills blues musicians David `Junior' Kimbrough and R.L. Burnside, born in Marshall and Lafayette counties, respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) birthplaces of Civil Rights pioneers, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Ida B. Wells-Barnett, a formidable figure in the anti-lynching movement, born in Holly Springs; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) James Meredith, who became the first African American to enroll at the University of Mississippi, born in Kosciusko; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) birthplaces or residences of other cultural icons and historical figures, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) barnstorming legend Roscoe Turner, born in Corinth;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) railroad engineer Casey Jones, who lived in Water Valley;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) Civil War cavalryman Nathan Bedford Forrest, who lived in Salem;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) Hiram Revels, the first African American to serve in the Senate, who lived in Holly Springs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) L.Q.C. Lamar, a Senator, Secretary of the Interior, and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, who lived in Oxford;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) author Eudora Welty, who attended the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vii) Confederate General Stephen D. Lee, who lived in Columbus;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the area includes spectacular natural, scenic, and recreational resources, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Strawberry Plains State Audubon Center;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Wolf River;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the Holly Springs National Forest;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) the Tombigbee National Forest;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) the Tishomingo State Park; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) the Sardis, Enid, and Grenada Lakes;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) there is broad support from local governments and other interested individuals for the establishment of the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area to coordinate and assist in the preservation and interpretation of those resources;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) the Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Concept Plan, coordinated by the Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a collaborative effort between the Federal Government and State and local governments in the area; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a natural foundation on which to establish the Mississippi Hills Heritage Area; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) the establishment of the Mississippi Hills Heritage Area would assist local communities and residents in preserving the unique cultural, historical, archaeological, natural, and recreational resources of the area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.

In this title:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ALLIANCE- The term `Alliance' means the Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance, a non-profit organization registered by the State, with the cooperation and support of the University of Mississippi.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) HERITAGE AREA- The term `Heritage Area' means the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area established by this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) MANAGEMENT PLAN- The term `management plan' means the management plan for the Heritage Area developed under this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) STATE- The term `State' means the State of Mississippi.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 204. MISSISSIPPI HILLS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

(a) Establishment- There is established in the State the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Boundaries-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AFFECTED COUNTIES- The Heritage Area shall consist of all, or portions of, as specified by the boundary description in paragraph (2), Alcorn, Attala, Benton, Calhoun, Carroll, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Clay, DeSoto, Grenada, Holmes, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Lowndes, Marshall, Monroe, Montgomery, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, Webster, Winston, and Yalobusha Counties in the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION- The Heritage Area shall have the following boundary description:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) traveling counterclockwise, the Heritage Area shall be bounded to the west by U.S. Highway 51 from the Tennessee State line until it intersects Interstate 55 (at Geeslin Corner approximately 0.5 miles due north of Highway Interchange 208);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) from this point, Interstate 55 shall be the western boundary until it intersects with Mississippi Highway 12 at Highway Interchange 156, the intersection of which shall be the southwest terminus of the Heritage Area;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) from the southwest terminus, the boundary shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) extend east along Mississippi Highway 12 until it intersects U.S. Highway 51;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) follow Highway 51 south until it is intersected again by Highway 12;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) extend along Highway 12 into downtown Kosciusko where it intersects Mississippi Highway 35;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) follow Highway 35 south until it is intersected by Mississippi Highway 14; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) extend along Highway 14 until it reaches the Alabama State line, the intersection of which shall be the southeast terminus of the Heritage Area;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) from the southeast terminus, the boundary of the Heritage Area shall follow the Mississippi-Alabama State line until it reaches the Mississippi-Tennessee State line, the intersection of which shall be the northeast terminus of the Heritage Area; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) the boundary shall extend due west until it reaches U.S. Highway 51, the intersection of which shall be the northwest terminus of the Heritage Area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 205. DESIGNATION OF ALLIANCE AS MANAGEMENT ENTITY.

(a) In General- The Alliance shall be the coordinating entity for the Heritage Area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Federal Funding-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AUTHORIZATION TO RECEIVE FUNDS- The Alliance may receive amounts made available to carry out this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DISQUALIFICATION- If a management plan is not submitted to the Secretary as required under this title within the time period specified, the Alliance may not receive Federal funding under this title until a management plan is submitted to the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Use of Federal Funds- The Alliance may, for the purposes of developing and implementing the management plan, use Federal funds made available under this title--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to make grants and loans to the State, political subdivisions of the State, nonprofit organizations, and other persons;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to enter into cooperative agreements with, or provide technical assistance to, the State, political subdivisions of the State, nonprofit organizations, and other organizations;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) to hire and compensate staff;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) to obtain funds from any source, under any program or law, requiring the recipient of funds to make a contribution in order to receive the funds; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) to contract for goods and services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Prohibition of Acquisition of Real Property- The Alliance may not use Federal funds received under this title to acquire real property or any interest in real property.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 206. AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF ALLIANCE.

(a) Authorities- To develop and implement the management plan and otherwise carry out this title, the Alliance may make grants to and provide technical assistance to tribal and local governments and other public and private entities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Duties- In carrying out this title, the Alliance shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) implement the management plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) assist local and tribal governments and non-profit organizations to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) establish and maintain interpretive exhibits in the Heritage Area;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) develop recreational resources in the Heritage Area;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) increase public awareness of, and appreciation for, the cultural, historical, archaeological, natural, and recreational resources of the Heritage Area;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) restore historic resources that relate to the Heritage Area; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) carry out any other activity that the Alliance determines to be appropriate to carry out this title, consistent with the management plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) on at least an annual basis, conduct public meetings relating to the implementation of the management plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) for any fiscal year for which Federal funds are made available under this title--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) submit to the Secretary a report that describes, for the fiscal year, actions of the Alliance in carrying out this title;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) make available to the Secretary for audit all records relating to the expenditure of funds and any matching funds; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) require, for each agreement authorizing the expenditure of Federal funds by any entity, that the receiving entity make available to the Secretary for audit all records relating to the expenditure of the funds; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) ensure that each county included in the Heritage Area is appropriately represented on any oversight advisory committee established pursuant to this title to coordinate the Heritage Area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 207. MANAGEMENT OF HERITAGE AREA.

(a) In General- Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this title, the Alliance shall develop and submit to the Secretary a management plan for the Heritage Area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Contents- The management plan shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) provide recommendations for the preservation, conservation, enhancement, funding, management, interpretation, development, and promotion of the cultural, historical, archaeological, natural, and recreational resources of the Heritage Area;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) identify sources of funding for the Heritage Area;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) an inventory of the cultural, historical, archaeological, natural, and recreational resources of the Heritage Area; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) an analysis of how Federal, State, tribal, and local programs may best be coordinated to promote and carry out this title;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) provide recommendations for educational and interpretive programs to inform the public about the resources of the Heritage Area; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) involve residents of affected communities and tribal and local governments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Approval or Disapproval of Management Plan-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 90 days after the date of receipt of the management plan, the Secretary shall approve or disapprove the management plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DISAPPROVAL AND REVISIONS- If the Secretary disapproves the management plan, the Secretary shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) advise the Alliance in writing of the reasons for disapproval;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) make recommendations for revision of the management plan; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) allow the Alliance to submit to the Secretary revisions to the management plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Revision- After approval by the Secretary of the management plan, the Alliance shall periodically--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) review the management plan; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) submit to the Secretary, for review and approval by the Secretary, any recommendations for revisions to the management plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 208. DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.

(a) In General- Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary may provide technical assistance and grants to the Alliance to pay the Federal share of the cost of developing and implementing the management plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Prohibition of Certain Requirements- The Secretary may not, as a condition of the award of technical assistance or grants under this section, require any recipient of the technical assistance or a grant to enact or modify any land use restriction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 209. EFFECT OF ACT.

(a) No Effect on Land Use Authority- Nothing in this title modifies, enlarges, or diminishes the authority of any State, tribal, or local government to regulate any use of land under any other law (including regulations).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Local Authority and Private Property Not Affected- Nothing in this title affects or authorizes the Alliance to interfere with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the right of any person with respect to private property; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) any local zoning ordinance or land use plan of the State or a political subdivision of the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) No Effect on Indian Tribes- Nothing in this title--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) restricts an Indian tribe from protecting cultural or religious sites on tribal land; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) diminishes the trust responsibilities or government-to-government obligations of the United States to any Indian tribe recognized by the Federal Government.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Management of Fish and Wildlife- Nothing in this title--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) modifies, enlarges, or diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish and wildlife in the Heritage Area, including the regulation of fishing and hunting; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) authorizes the Alliance to assume any management authorities over such lands.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 210. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $10,000,000, of which not more than $1,000,000 may be made available for any fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Federal Share- The Federal share of the cost of any activity carried out using funds made available under this title shall not exceed 50 percent.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink