109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 412
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 15, 2005
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources
AN ACT
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to
determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Western Reserve
Heritage Area.
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 `Western Reserve Heritage Areas Study Act'.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STUDY REGARDING THE WESTERN RESERVE, OHIO.
(a) Findings- The Congress finds the following:
(1) The area that encompasses the modern-day counties of Trumbull, Mahoning,
Ashtabula, Portage, Geagua, Lake, Cuyahoga, Summit, Medina, Huron, Lorain,
Erie, Ottawa, and Ashland in Ohio with the rich history in what was once
the Western Reserve, has made a unique contribution to the cultural, political
and industrial development of the United States.
(2) The Western Reserve is distinctive as the land settled by the people
of Connecticut after the Revolutionary War. The Western Reserve holds
a unique mark as the original wilderness land of the West that many settlers
migrated to in order to begin life outside of the original 13 colonies.
(3) The Western Reserve played a significant role in providing land to
the people of Connecticut whose property and land was destroyed during
the Revolution. These settlers were descendants of the brave immigrants
who came to the Americas in the 17th century.
(4) The Western Reserve offered a new destination for those who moved
west in search of land and prosperity. The agricultural and industrial
base that began in the Western Reserve still lives strong in these prosperous
and historical counties.
(5) The heritage of the Western Reserve remains transfixed in the counties
of Trumbull, Mahoning, Ashtabula, Portage, Geagua, Lake, Cuyahoga, Summit,
Medina, Huron, Lorain, Erie, Ottawa, and Ashland in Ohio. The people of
these counties are proud of their heritage as shown through the unwavering
attempts to preserve agricultural land and the industrial foundation that
has been embedded in this region since the establishment of the Western
Reserve. Throughout these counties, historical sites, and markers preserve
the unique traditions and customs of its original heritage.
(6) The counties that encompass the Western Reserve continue to maintain
a strong connection to its historic past as seen through its preservation
of its local heritage, including historic homes, buildings, and centers
of public gatherings.
(7) There is a need for assistance for the preservation and promotion
of the significance of the Western Reserve as the natural, historic and
cultural heritage of the counties of Trumbull, Mahoning, Ashtabula, Portage,
Geagua, Lake, Cuyahoga, Summit, Medina, Huron, Lorain, Erie, Ottawa and
Ashland in Ohio.
(8) The Department of the Interior is responsible for protecting the Nation's
cultural and historical resources. There are significant examples of such
resources within these counties and what was once the Western Reserve
to merit the involvement of the Federal Government in the development
of programs and projects, in cooperation with the State of Ohio and other
local governmental entities, to adequately conserve, protect, and interpret
this heritage for future generations, while providing opportunities for
education and revitalization.
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, acting through the National Park Service
Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, Midwest Region, and
in consultation with the State of Ohio, the counties of Trumbull, Mahoning,
Ashtabula, Portage, Geagua, Lake, Cuyahoga, Summit, Medina, Huron, Lorain,
Erie, Ottawa, and Ashland, and other appropriate organizations, shall
carry out a study regarding the suitability and feasibility of establishing
the Western Reserve Heritage Area in these counties in Ohio.
(2) CONTENTS- The study shall include analysis and documentation regarding
whether the Study Area--
(A) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural resources that
together represent distinctive aspects of American heritage worthy of
recognition, conservation, interpretation, and continuing use, and are
best managed through partnerships among public and private entities
and by combining diverse and sometimes noncontiguous resources and active
communities;
(B) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife that are a valuable
part of the national story;
(C) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve natural, historic,
cultural, or scenic features;
(D) provides outstanding recreational and educational opportunities;
(E) contains resources important to the identified theme or themes of
the Study Area that retain a degree of integrity capable of supporting
interpretation;
(F) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations,
and local and State governments that are involved in the planning, have
developed a conceptual financial plan that outlines the roles for all
participants, including the Federal Government, and have demonstrated
support for the concept of a national heritage area;
(G) has a potential management entity to work in partnership with residents,
business interests, nonprofit organizations, and local and State governments
to develop a national heritage area consistent with continued local
and State economic activity;
(H) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the public; and
(I) has potential or actual impact on private property located within
or abutting the Study Area.
(c) Boundaries of the Study Area- The Study Area shall be comprised of the
counties of Trumbull, Mahoning, Ashtabula, Portage, Geagua, Lake, Cuyahoga,
Summit, Medina, Huron, Lorain, Erie, Ottawa, and Ashland in Ohio.
Passed the House of Representatives March 14, 2005.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk.
END
