A bill to provide for the establishment of the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor, and for other purposes.

Summary

Establishes the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. Establishes within the Department of the Interior the Illinois and Michigan Canal Heritage Corridor Commission which shall administer the corridor. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an economic impact study with respect to the report submitted to Congress by the National Park Service in October 1981 containing a conceptual plan for the corridor. Directs the Commission to help implement and support, according to such plan: (1) the stabilization of canal structures and the renovation of portions of the canal; (2) the establishment of intermittent recreation trails from Summit to LaSalle, Illinois; (3) the retention of the natural setting of the trail corridor; (4) the retention and enhancement of unique natural areas; (5) the enhancement of public awareness of, and appreciation for, historic, archaeological, and geologic resources in the corridor; (6) the restoration of historic buildings with economic development potential; (7) the interpretation of the cultural and natural resources of the corridor; (8) the marketing of the amenity resources of the corridor; and (9) the enhancement of the economic development of the corridor. Requires the Commission to adhere as closely as possible to the time frame of the conceptual plan for the corridor and to enter into cooperative agreements with State and local governments to implement such plan. Requires the Commission to report annually to the Governor of Illinois and the Secretary on its activities. Directs Federal agencies whose activities affect the corridor to consult and cooperate with the Secretary and the Commission. Requires the Commission to prepare an economic impact assessment before undertaking any capital improvement and before making funds available for the acquisition of real property. Provides that at least five percent of the funds available to the Commission may be used only to implement the goals of the conceptual plan for the corridor. Sets forth the powers of the Commission and staff requirements. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct specified inventories; (2) assist the Commission in developing thematic structure for interpretation of the heritage corridor story; (3) design and make specified interpretive materials; (4) provide feasibility studies for retrofiting six historic structures; (5) provide individual tax benefit analysis on various easements for protecting three natural areas in the corridor under private ownership; (6) provide consultation on fundraising and volunteerism strategies; and (7) provide two staff positions to the Commission. Provides a timetable for the Secretary to follow in providing such assistance. Requires the United States to release to Illinois all remaining rights to the property associated with the Illinois and Michigan Canal as soon as practicable after enactment of this Act. Provides for the termination of the Commission. Authorizes appropriations. Limits the amount of funds available for the economic impact study required by this Act. Prohibits the authorization of funds before October 1, 1982.

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1 official file

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 1 October 1982

  Open at official source

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