This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area in a border region of Texas as the Los Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor.
The study area includes (1) the portion of the Rio Grande River and surrounding areas as generally depicted on the map titled Los Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor and dated April 2020; and (2) any other areas in Texas that have a shared heritage with the areas depicted on the map and are adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, those areas.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2359 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2359
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess
the suitability and feasibility of designating certain lands as the Los
Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 5, 2021
Mr. Cuellar (for himself and Mr. Vicente Gonzalez of Texas) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess
the suitability and feasibility of designating certain lands as the Los
Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor, 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. LOS CAMINOS DEL RIO.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Corridor.--The term ``Corridor'' means the Los Caminos
del Rio National Heritage Corridor.
(2) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map titled ``Los
Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor'' and dated April
2020.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(4) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means the study
area described in subsection (b)(2).
(b) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with State
historic preservation officers, State historical societies,
State tourism offices, State natural resource agencies, and
other appropriate regional and local organizations or agencies,
shall conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility
of designating the study area as the Los Caminos del Rio
National Heritage Corridor.
(2) Study area.--The study area includes--
(A) the portion of the Rio Grande River and
surrounding areas, as generally depicted on the map;
and
(B) any other areas in the State of Texas that--
(i) have a shared heritage with the areas
depicted on the map described in subparagraph
(A); and
(ii) are adjacent to, or in the vicinity
of, those areas.
(3) Requirements.--The study shall include analysis,
documentation, and determinations on whether the study area--
(A) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and
cultural resources that--
(i) represent distinctive aspects of the
heritage of the United States;
(ii) are worthy of recognition,
conservation, interpretation, and continuing
use by residents and visitors; and
(iii) would be best managed--
(I) through partnerships among
public and private entities; and
(II) by linking diverse and
sometimes noncontiguous resources and
active communities that share a common
heritage;
(B) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and
folklife that are a valuable part of the story of the
United States;
(C) provides--
(i) outstanding opportunities to conserve
natural, historic, cultural, or scenic
features; and
(ii) outstanding recreational and
educational and cultural tourism opportunities;
(D) contains resources that--
(i) are important to any identified themes
of the study area; and
(ii) retain a degree of integrity capable
of supporting interpretation;
(E) includes residents, business interests,
nonprofit organizations, including museums and heritage
organizations, and State and local governments that--
(i) are involved in the planning of the
Corridor;
(ii) have developed a conceptual financial
plan that outlines the roles of all
participants in the Corridor, including the
Federal Government; and
(iii) have demonstrated support for the
designation of the Corridor;
(F) has a potential management entity to work in
partnership with the individuals and entities described
in subparagraph (E) to develop the Corridor while
encouraging State and local economic activity; and
(G) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported
by the public.
(c) Report.--Not later than the end of the third fiscal year after
the date on which funds are first made available for this section, 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 describes--
(1) the findings of the study; and
(2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
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