110th CONGRESS
1st Session

S. 637

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Chattahoochee Trace National Heritage Corridor in Alabama and Georgia, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 15, 2007

Mr. SESSIONS 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 study the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Chattahoochee Trace National Heritage Corridor in Alabama and Georgia, 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 `Chattahoochee Trace National Heritage Corridor Study Act of 2007'.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:

      (1) CORRIDOR- The term `Corridor' means the Chattahoochee Trace National Heritage Corridor.

      (2) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior.

      (3) STUDY AREA- The term `study area' means the study area described in section 3(b).

SEC. 3. STUDY.

    (a) In General- The Secretary, in consultation with State historic preservation officers, State historical societies, State tourism offices, and other appropriate organizations or agencies, shall conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as the Chattahoochee Trace National Heritage Corridor.

    (b) Description of Study Area- The study area shall include the portion of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin and surrounding areas that are comprised of the following:

      (1)(A) The cities, towns, unincorporated communities, and military bases of LaFayette, Lanett, Valley, Waverly, Oak Bowery, Stroud, Opelika, Auburn, Loachapokla, Salem, Smiths, Phenix City, Fort Mitchell, Spring Hill, Rutherford, Hurtsboro, Pittsview, Uchee, Glemnville, Seale, Cottonton, Comer, Batesville, Eufaula, Clayton, Louisville, Clio, Bakerhill, Blue Springs, Ariton, Skipperville, Ozark, Midland City, Fort Rucker, Newton, Daleville, Abbeville, Lawrenceville, Haleburg, Shorterville, Newville, Tumbleton, Headland, Columbia, Kinsey, Cottonwood, Ashford, Madrid, Gordon, and Dothan, Alabama.

      (B) Chambers, Lee, Russell, Barbour, Dale, Henry, and Houston counties in the State of Alabama.

      (2)(A) The cities, towns, unincorporated communities, and military bases of Hogansville, LaGrange, Whitesville, Mountville, West Point Pine Mountain, Hamilton, Waverly Hall, Ellershie, Mulberry Grove, Columbus, Cusseta, Fort Henning, Omaha, Florence, Richland, Louvale, Brooklyn, Lumpkin, Georgetown, Morris, Springvale, Cuthbert, Shellman, Coleman, Fort Gaines, Bluffton, Cedar Springs, Saffold, Colomokee, Damascus, Blakely, Hilton, Donalsonvilie, Iron City, Reynoldsville, Brinson, Bainbridge, Faceville, Fowltown, Climax, and Attapulgas, Georgia.

      (B) Troup, Hats, Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Stewart, Randolph, Clay, Quitman, Early, Seminole, and Decatur counties in the State of Georgia.

      (3) Other areas in the State of Alabama or Georgia that--

        (A) have heritage aspects that are similar to the aspects of the areas described in paragraph (1) or (2); and

        (B) are adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, the areas.

    (c) Requirements- The study shall include analysis, documentation, and determinations on whether the study area--

      (1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural resources that--

        (A) represent distinctive aspects of the heritage of the United States;

        (B) are worthy of recognition, conservation, interpretation, and continuing use; and

        (C) would be best managed--

          (i) through partnerships among public and private entities; and

          (ii) by linking diverse and sometimes noncontiguous resources and active communities;

      (2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife that are a valuable part of the story of the United States;

      (3) provides--

        (A) outstanding opportunities to conserve natural, historic, cultural, or scenic features; and

        (B) outstanding recreational and educational opportunities;

      (4) contains resources that--

        (A) are important to any identified themes of the study area; and

        (B) retain a degree of integrity capable of supporting interpretation;

      (5) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations, and State and local governments that--

        (A) are involved in the planning of the Corridor;

        (B) have developed a conceptual financial plan that outlines the roles of all participants in the Corridor, including the Federal Government; and

        (C) have demonstrated support for the designation of the Corridor;

      (6) has a potential management entity to work in partnership with the individuals and entities described in paragraph (5) to develop the Corridor while encouraging State and local economic activity; and

      (7) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the public.

SEC. 4. REPORT.

    Not later than the 3rd fiscal year after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 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.

END