Taunton, Massachusetts Special Resources Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study regarding the suitability and feasibility of designating certain historic buildings and areas in Taunton, Massachusetts, as a unit of the National Park System (NPS).
[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1184 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1184
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resources
study regarding the suitability and feasibility of designating certain
historic buildings and areas in Taunton, Massachusetts, as a unit of
the National Park System, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 23, 2007
Mr. Kennedy (for himself and Mr. Kerry) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resources
study regarding the suitability and feasibility of designating certain
historic buildings and areas in Taunton, Massachusetts, as a unit of
the National Park System, 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 ``Taunton, Massachusetts Special
Resources Study Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The city of Taunton, Massachusetts, is home to 9
distinct historic districts, with nearly 100 properties on the
National Register of Historic Places. Included among these
districts are the Church Green Historic District, the Bristol
County Courthouse Complex, the Taunton Green Historic District,
and the Reed and Barton Historic District.
(2) All of these districts include buildings and building
facades of great historical, cultural, and architectural value.
(3) Taunton Green is the site where the Sons of Liberty
first raised the Liberty and Union Flag in 1774, an event that
helped to spark a popular movement, culminating in the American
Revolution, and Taunton citizens have been among the first to
volunteer for America's subsequent wars.
(4) Robert Treat Paine, a citizen of Taunton and the first
Attorney General of Massachusetts, was a signer of the
Declaration of Independence.
(5) Taunton was a leading community in the Industrial
Revolution, and its industrial area has been the site of many
innovations in such industries as silver manufacture, paper
manufacture, and ship building.
(6) The grounds of the Bristol County Courthouse Complex
were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed many
other important national sites.
(7) Main Street and Summer Street, which connect many of
the historic districts, are home to several historically and
architecturally significant structures, including Taunton City
Hall and the Leonard Block building, 2 outstanding examples of
19th Century American architecture.
(8) The city and people of Taunton have preserved many
artifacts, gravesites, and important documents dating back to
1638 when Taunton was founded.
(9) Taunton was and continues to be an important
destination for immigrants from Europe and other parts of the
world who have helped to give Southeastern Massachusetts its
unique ethnic character.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) City.--The term ``city'' means the city of Taunton,
Massachusetts.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of
Massachusetts.
SEC. 4. STUDY.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate
State historic preservation officers, State historical societies, the
city, and other appropriate organizations, shall conduct a special
resources study regarding the suitability and feasibility of
designating certain historic buildings and areas in the city as a unit
of the National Park System.
(b) Requirements.--The study required under subsection (a) shall--
(1) be conducted and completed in accordance with section
8(c) of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. la-5(c)); and
(2) include analysis, documentation, and determinations
regarding whether the historic areas in Taunton--
(A) can be managed, curated, interpreted, restored,
preserved, and presented as an organic whole under
management--
(i) by the National Park Service; or
(ii) under an alternative management
structure;
(B) have an assemblage of cultural, historic, and
natural resources that together represent distinctive
aspects of the heritage of the United States worthy of
recognition, conservation, interpretation, and
continuing use;
(C) reflect traditions, customs, beliefs, and
historical events that are valuable parts of the
national story;
(D) provide outstanding--
(i) opportunities to conserve
architectural, cultural, historical, natural,
or scenic features; and
(ii) recreational and educational
opportunities; and
(E) can be managed by the National Park Service, in
partnership with residents, business interests,
nonprofit organizations, and State and local
governments, to develop a unit of the National Park
System consistent with State and local economic
activity.
SEC. 5. REPORT.
Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which funds are
first made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall submit
to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a
report that--
(1) describes the findings, conclusions, and
recommendations of the study; and
(2) includes a discussion and consideration of the concerns
expressed by private landowners with respect to designating
certain structures studied under this Act as a unit of the
National Park System.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 110-213.
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