[Senate Report 115-227]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 375
115th Congress } { Report
SENATE
2d Session } { 115-227
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FINGER LAKES NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY ACT
_______
April 11, 2018.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Ms. Murkowski, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 1602]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was
referred the bill (S. 1602) to authorize the Secretary of the
Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and
feasibility of designating certain land as the Finger Lakes
National Heritage Area, and for other purposes, having
considered the same, reports favorably thereon without
amendment and recommends that the bill do pass.
PURPOSE
The purpose of S. 1602 is to authorize the Secretary of the
Interior (Secretary) to conduct a study to assess the
suitability and feasibility of designating certain land as the
Finger Lakes National Heritage Area (NHA).
BACKGROUND AND NEED
The Finger Lakes region includes approximately 9,000 square
miles of northern New York State well known for its natural
beauty and access to outdoor activities.
There are a number of state parks in the Finger Lakes
region, including Watkins Glen State Park. There are also a
number of waterfalls and gorges in the area. The Erie Canal
runs along the northern end of the Finger Lakes, featuring
parks and boat launches. The Montezuma Wildlife Refuge is a
resting, feeding, and nesting place for a number of migratory
birds and gives visitors the chance to observe wildlife in its
unaltered state. Hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities
are popular.
The Finger Lakes region is also known for its award winning
wines. The area is particularly well known for Rieslings, and
draws visitors from around the world. In addition, craft
breweries, cideries, and distilleries have been opening up
through the Finger Lakes. A number of wine and beer trails are
available across the region for visitors.
The legislation, if enacted, would authorize a study to
determine if the region is appropriate for designation as a
NHA.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
S. 1602 was introduced by Senator Gillibrand on July 20,
2017. The Senate Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing
on S. 1602 on February 14, 2018. Similar language is also
included in section 7129 of S. 1460, the Energy and Natural
Resources Act of 2017, which is on the Senate Calendar (Cal.
162).
In the 114th Congress, Senator Gillibrand introduced
similar legislation, S. 1824, on July, 21, 2015. The
Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing on S. 1824 on
June 15, 2016.
The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources met in open
business session on March 8, 2018, and ordered S. 1602
favorably reported.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in
open business session on March 8, 2018, by a majority voice
vote of a quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass S.
1602.
SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 contains the short title.
Section 2. Definitions
Section 2 contains key definitions.
Section 3. Study
Section 3(a) directs the Secretary, in consultation with
State and local historic preservation officers, State and local
historical societies, State and local tourism offices, and
other appropriate organizations and governmental agencies, to
conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of
designating the study area as a NHA, to be known as the
``Finger Lakes National Heritage Area.''
Subsection (b) sets forth the study's requirements,
including analysis, documentation, and determinations on
whether the study area (1) has natural, historic, and cultural
resources that represent distinctive aspects of the United
States; are worthy of recognition, conservation,
interpretation, and continuing use; and would be best managed
through partnerships and by linking diverse and active
communities; (2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and
folklife that are a valuable part of the United States' story;
(3) provides outstanding conservation, recreation and
educational opportunities; (4) contains important thematic
resources that retain some interpretive integrity; (5) includes
residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations, and
State and local governments that are involved in the Heritage
Area planning, have developed a conceptual financial plan, and
have demonstrated support for the Heritage Area designation;
(6) have a potential management entity to work in partnership
with the individuals and entities involved in the Heritage Area
development; and (7) has a conceptual boundary map that is
supported by the public.
Section 4. Report
Section 4 directs the Secretary to submit to the House
Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources a report that describes the
study's findings and any conclusions and recommendations no
later than three years after the date on which funds are first
made available to carry out this Act.
COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS
The following estimate of the costs of this measure has
been provided by the Congressional Budget Office:
S. 1602 would direct the National Park Service to study the
suitability and feasibility of designating the Finger Lakes
region of New York State as a national heritage area.
Based on the costs of similar studies, CBO estimates that
implementing S. 1602 would cost less than $500,000; such
spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated
funds.
Enacting S. 1602 would not affect direct spending or
revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
CBO estimates that enacting S. 1602 would not increase net
direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.
S. 1602 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Janani
Shankaran. The estimate was approved by H. Samuel Papenfuss,
Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
REGULATORY IMPACT EVALUATION
In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following
evaluation of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in
carrying out S. 1602. The bill is not a regulatory measure in
the sense of imposing Government-established standards or
significant economic responsibilities on private individuals
and businesses.
No personal information would be collected in administering
the program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal
privacy.
Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the
enactment of S. 1602, as ordered reported.
CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING
S. 1602, as ordered reported, does not contain any
congressionally directed spending items, limited tax benefits,
or limited tariff benefits as defined in rule XLIV of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
The testimony provided by the Department of the Interior at
the February 14, 2018, hearing on S. 1602 follows:
Statement of P. Daniel Smith, Deputy Director, Exercising the Authority
of the Director of the National Park Service, Department of the
Interior, Before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee
on National Parks, Concerning S. 1602, To Authorize the Secretary of
the Interior To Conduct a Study To Assess the Suitability and
Feasibility of Designating Certain Land as the Finger Lakes National
Heritage Area, and for Other Purposes
The Department recognizes that the Finger Lakes region
possesses the kind of natural and cultural characteristics that
would make it an appropriate area to study for its potential as
a national heritage area. However, in order to focus resources
on reducing the National Park Service's $11.6 billion deferred
maintenance backlog and addressing other critical national park
needs, funding for national heritage areas is not a priority in
the Administration's FY 2018 or FY 2019 budget. In addition,
currently, the National Park Service is conducting 22
previously authorized studies to determine if areas have
potential for inclusion in the National Park System as new
units, national heritage areas, national trails, or wild and
scenic rivers. Under these circumstances, we believe it would
be unwise to authorize the study of additional national
heritage areas at this time.
S. 1602 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to
conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of
designating an area in the State of New York as the Finger
Lakes National Heritage Area. The study area would include the
counties of Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe,
Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins,
Wayne, and Yates.
State parks and private organizations within the study area
provide public recreational and educational opportunities for
similar resources not recognized through federal programs.
Opportunities for the sharing of cultural heritage and folkways
are available throughout the year through a variety of
established organizations and the Federally recognized tribes
within the region.
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW
In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee notes that no
changes in existing law are made by the bill as ordered
reported.
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