To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the French Colonial Heritage Area in the State of Missouri as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

February 8, 2005

Mr. TALENT 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 study the suitability and feasibility of designating the French Colonial Heritage Area in the State of Missouri 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 `French Colonial Heritage National Historic Site Study Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that--

(1) the French Colonial Heritage Area has great historical significance as the home of two of the five poteaux-en-terre (post in the ground) vertical log French homes remaining in North America, dating from circa 1800, in addition to several other important historical artifacts;

(2) the area is located within the Ste. Genevieve National Historic District, and is adjacent to related historic properties including the third North American poteaux-en-terre home, the `Le Grand Champ' (common field used by French settlers), historic downtown Ste. Genevieve, and a pre-historic Native American village still evidenced by several ceremonial mounds;

(3) the Area contains some of the only existing examples of a French Colonial Period settlement, which was characterized by contact that emphasized integration with the local culture;

(4) local state agencies and organizations have undertaken significant efforts to preserve the historic architecture of Ste. Genevieve and convert it to educational facilities devoted to the history of the early French experience in the New World; and

(5) no current National Park System unit has comparable historic features providing the cultural backdrop required to adequately interpret the story of the early French in the New World.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) AREA- The term `Area' means the French Colonial Heritage Area, which includes the Bequette-Ribault, St. Gemme-Amoureaux, and Wilhauk homes, and the related and supporting historical assets located in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri.

(2) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service.

SEC. 4. STUDY.

(a) In General- Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the State of Missouri--

(1) complete a study on the suitability and feasibility of designating the Area as a unit of the National Park System; and

(2) submit to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report describing the findings of the study.

(b) Contents- The study under subsection (a) shall be conducted in accordance with Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. 1a-1 et seq.).

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

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

END