To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resources study to evaluate resources along the coastal region of the State of Delaware and to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing 1 or more units of the National Park System in Delaware, and for other purposes.

October 6, 2004

Mr. CARPER (for himself and Mr. BIDEN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resources study to evaluate resources along the coastal region of the State of Delaware and to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing 1 or more units of the National Park System in Delaware, 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 `Delaware National Coastal Special Resources Study Act'.

SEC. 2. STUDY.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this Act as the `Secretary') shall conduct a special resources study of the national significance, feasibility of long-term preservation, and public use of sites in the coastal region of the State of Delaware.

(b) INCLUSION OF SITES IN THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM- The study under subsection (a) shall include an analysis and any recommendations of the Secretary concerning the suitability and feasibility of--

(1) designating 1 or more of the sites along the Delaware coast as units of the National Park System that relate to the themes described in section 3; or

(2) establishing a national heritage area that incorporates the sites along the Delaware coast that relate to the themes described in section 3.

(c) STUDY GUIDELINES- In conducting the study authorized under subsection (a), the Secretary shall use the criteria for the study of areas for potential inclusion in the National Park System contained in section 8 of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. 1a-5).

(d) CONSULTATION- In preparing and conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with--

(1) the State of Delaware;

(2) the coastal region communities; and

(3) the general public.

SEC. 3. THEMES.

The study authorized under section 2 shall evaluate sites along the coastal region of the State of Delaware that relate to--

(1) the history of indigenous peoples, which would explore history of Native American tribes of Delaware, such as the Nanticoke and Lenni Lenape;

(2) the colonization and establishment of the frontier, which would chronicle the first European settlers in the Delaware Valley who built fortifications for the protection of settlers;

(3) the founding of a nation, which would document the contributions of Delaware to the development of our constitutional republic;

(4) industrial development, which would investigate the exploitation of water power in Delaware with the mill development on the Brandywine River;

(5) transportation, which would explore how water served as the main transportation link, connecting Colonial Delaware with England, Europe, and other colonies;

(6) coastal defense, which would document the collection of fortifications spaced along the river and bay from Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island to Fort Miles near Lewes;

(7) the last stop to freedom, which would detail the role Delaware has played in the history of the Underground Railroad network; and

(8) the coastal environment, which would examine natural resources of Delaware that provide resource-based recreational opportunities such as crabbing, fishing, swimming, and boating.

SEC. 4. REPORT.

Not later than 1 year after funds are made available to carry out this Act under section 5, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a report containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the study conducted under section 2.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.

END