The publication is reproduced in full below:
BEAR RIVER NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY ACT
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3616) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating certain land as the Bear River National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3616
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 ``Bear River National Heritage Area Study Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the Bear River National Heritage Area.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.
(3) States.--The term ``States'' means the States of Utah and Idaho.
(4) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means--
(A) areas in the States that are within the main drainage area of the Bear River;
(B) all of Cache, Box Elder, and Rich Counties in the State of Utah, and Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin, and Oneida Counties in the State of Idaho;
(C) the following communities in Utah: Bear River, Brigham City, Corinne, Deweyville, Elwood, Fielding, Garland, Honeyville, Howell, Mantua, Perry, Plymouth, Portage, Snowville, Tremonton, Willard, Amalga, Clarkston, Cornish, Hyde Park, Hyrum, Lewiston, Logan, Mendon, Millville, Newton, Nibley, North Logan, Paradise, Providence, Richmond, River Heights, Smithfield, Trenton, Wellsville, Garden City, Laketown, Randolph, and Woodruff;
(D) the following communities in Idaho: Malad, Clifton, Dayton, Franklin, Preston, Oxford, Weston, Bancroft, Soda Springs, Grace, Bloomington, Paris, Georgetown, Montpelier, and St. Charles; and
(E) any other areas in the States that--
(i) have heritage aspects that are similar to the areas described in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), or (D); and
(ii) are adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, those areas.
SEC. 3. STUDY.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with State and local organizations and governmental agencies, Tribal governments, non-profit organizations, and other appropriate entities, shall conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a National Heritage Area, to be known as the ``Bear River National Heritage Area''.
(b) 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 people and cultures 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 outstanding opportunities--
(A) to conserve natural, historic, cultural, or scenic features; and
(B) for recreation and education;
(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, non-profit organizations, and State, local, and Tribal governments, and other appropriate entities that--
(A) are involved in the planning of the Heritage Area;
(B) have developed a conceptual financial plan that outlines the roles of all participants in the Heritage Area, including the Federal Government; and
(C) have demonstrated support for the designation of the Heritage Area;
(6) has a potential management entity to work in partnership with the individuals and entities described in paragraph (5) to develop the Heritage Area while encouraging State and local economic activity;
(7) could impact the rights of private property owners with respect to their private property; and
(8) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the public.
SEC. 4. REPORT.
Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural 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 under section 3; and
(2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Mexico.
General Leave
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from New Mexico?
There was no objection.
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3616, the Bear River National Heritage Study Act, introduced by my Natural Resources Committee colleague, Representative Blake Moore.
H.R. 3616 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Bear River National Heritage Area.
The study area would include seven counties in northern Utah and southeastern Idaho, focusing on areas that are within the main drainage area of the Bear River.
Heritage area designations are locally driven initiatives that leverage Federal resources to support the preservation of shared heritage in a manner that boosts conservation, recreation, and economic development. These shared stories are vital, as we consider what is the American story. These heritage centers have proven successful all over the country, and I am pleased to support this bill that will examine the potential of the Bear River region.
I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to ensure a successful and sustainable future for the entire Heritage Area program and would, again, like to congratulate Representative Moore for championing this bill on behalf of his constituents.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I first want to thank Chairman Grijalva and Chairwoman Leger Fernandez for their cooperation in moving this bill forward.
H.R. 3616, offered by my colleague, Mr. Moore of Utah, requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study assessing the suitability and feasibility of designating the Bear River National Heritage Area in northern Utah and southern Idaho.
The Bear River area straddles the Utah-Idaho border where the Great Basin and Rocky Mountains meet. It is home to the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, the Golden Spike National Historical Park, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, the Hardware Ranch, numerous Latter-
day Saints history sites, the Oregon Trail, and a strong agricultural economy and abundant natural beauty.
The Bear River area is a great candidate for study as a potential national heritage area, and this legislation enjoys strong local support.
I commend Congressman Moore for his work on this legislation, and I urge adoption of the measure.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore).
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee for his support of this legislation and also to my colleague from New Mexico, Representative Leger Fernandez, for her kind words of support and her support of the bill overall, as well as, most importantly, our committee staff. I thank them all very much.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3616, the Bear River National Heritage Area Study Act, which would conduct a study to determine the area's suitability for a national heritage area designation. This would help local communities in the area protect important elements of their heritage and promote the area's tourism industry.
This important bill enjoys significant local support and, if enacted, would help the region better share its incredible history with the world.
The Bear River basin, which stretches through northern Utah and southeastern Idaho, played a key role in the settling, expansion, and development of the American West.
Native American Tribes, such as the Shoshone, called this area home because of its lush environment and favorable weather. Today, with the construction of the Boa Ogoi Cultural Interpretive Center in southeastern Idaho, these stories will soon be told like never before.
Eventually, explorers and adventures, fur trappers, and religious pioneers also settled in the area and began to build homes. The region's natural water supply makes it ideal for farming, and it quickly became home to thriving frontier towns. Generations of family farms in northern Utah and southeast Idaho can trace their origins to these early days.
Later, the driving of the golden spike at Promontory Summit marked the completion of the transcontinental railroad, an element of pride for the entire area. This pivotal moment launched our great Nation onto the global stage and into the modern world.
Today, this special place is home to thriving communities that support jobs in the tech, agriculture, education, manufacturing, service, and tourism industries.
As we look backwards to retell the history of this region, these industries are looking forward to writing the next chapter of the Bear River basin's story.
I am grateful for Chairman Grijalva, Ranking Member Westerman, Representative Leger Fernandez, and their fantastic staff for all their help on this effort.
Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting the Bear River National Heritage Area Study Act.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for bringing this to our attention, I urge adoption, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I look forward to listening to the many interconnected and complex stories that will come out of this study and to perhaps visiting the heritage area in the near future. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3616.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ROY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion are postponed.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 191
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