[Senate Report 110-371]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 803
110th Congress Report
SENATE
2d Session 110-371
======================================================================
BALTIMORE NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT
_______
June 16, 2008.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Bingaman, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 2604]
The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was
referred the bill (S. 2604) to establish the Baltimore National
Heritage Area in the State of Maryland, and for other purposes,
having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an
amendment and recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu
thereof the following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Baltimore National Heritage Area
Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the
Baltimore National Heritage Area, established by section 3(a).
(2) Local coordinating entity.--The term ``local coordinating
entity'' means the local coordinating entity for the Heritage
Area designated by section 3(d).
(3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means the
management plan for the Heritage Area required under section
4(a)(1).
(4) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled ``Baltimore
National Heritage Area'', numbered T10/80,000, and dated
October 2007.
(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
the Interior.
(6) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Maryland.
SEC. 3. BALTIMORE NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.
(a) Establishment.--There is established the Baltimore National
Heritage Area in the State.
(b) Boundaries.--The Heritage Area shall be comprised of the
following areas, as described on the map:
(1) The area encompassing the Baltimore City Heritage Area
certified by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority in October
2001 as part of the Baltimore City Heritage Area Management
Action Plan.
(2) The Mount Auburn Cemetery.
(3) The Cylburn Arboretum.
(4) The Middle Branch of the Patapsco River and surrounding
shoreline, including--
(A) the Cruise Maryland Terminal;
(B) new marina construction;
(C) the National Aquarium Aquatic Life Center;
(D) the Westport Redevelopment;
(E) the Gwynns Falls Trail;
(F) the Baltimore Rowing Club; and
(G) the Masonville Cove Environmental Center.
(c) Availability of Map.--The map shall be on file and available for
public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park
Service and the Baltimore Heritage Area Association.
(d) Local Coordinating Entity.--The Baltimore Heritage Area
Association shall be the local coordinating entity for the Heritage
Area.
SEC. 4. DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES OF LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.
(a) Duties of the Local Coordinating Entity.--To further the purposes
of the Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity shall--
(1) prepare, and submit to the Secretary, in accordance with
section 5, a management plan for the Heritage Area;
(2) assist units of local government, regional planning
organizations, and nonprofit organizations in implementing the
approved management plan by--
(A) carrying out programs and projects that
recognize, protect, and enhance important resource
values within the Heritage Area;
(B) establishing and maintaining interpretive
exhibits and programs within the Heritage Area;
(C) developing recreational and educational
opportunities in the Heritage Area;
(D) increasing public awareness of, and appreciation
for, natural, historic, scenic, and cultural resources
of the Heritage Area;
(E) protecting and restoring historic sites and
buildings in the Heritage Area that are consistent with
the themes of the Heritage Area;
(F) ensuring that signs identifying points of public
access and sites of interest are posted throughout the
Heritage Area; and
(G) promoting a wide range of partnerships among
governments, organizations, and individuals to further
the purposes of the Heritage Area;
(3) consider the interests of diverse units of government,
businesses, organizations, and individuals in the Heritage Area
in the preparation and implementation of the management plan;
(4) conduct meetings open to the public at least semiannually
regarding the development and implementation of the management
plan;
(5) submit an annual report to the Secretary for each fiscal
year for which the local coordinating entity receives Federal
funds under this Act specifying--
(A) the accomplishments of the local coordinating
entity;
(B) the expenses and income of the local coordinating
entity;
(C) the amounts and sources of matching funds;
(D) the amounts leveraged with Federal funds and
sources of the leveraged funds; and
(E) grants made to any other entities during the
fiscal year;
(6) make available for audit for each fiscal year for which
the local coordinating entity receives Federal funds under this
Act, all information pertaining to the expenditure of the funds
and any matching funds;
(7) require in all agreements authorizing expenditures of
Federal funds by other organizations, that the receiving
organizations make available for audit all records and other
information pertaining to the expenditure of the funds; and
(8) encourage, by appropriate means, economic development
that is consistent with the purposes of the Heritage Area.
(b) Authorities.--The local coordinating entity may, subject to the
prior approval of the Secretary, for the purposes of preparing and
implementing the management plan, use Federal funds made available
under this Act to--
(1) make grants to the State, political subdivisions of the
State, nonprofit organizations, and other persons;
(2) enter into cooperative agreements with, or provide
technical assistance to, the State, political subdivisions of
the State, nonprofit organizations, Federal agencies, and other
interested parties;
(3) hire and compensate staff;
(4) obtain funds or services from any source, including funds
and services provided under any other Federal law or program;
(5) contract for goods or services; and
(6) support activities of partners and any other activities
that further the purposes of the Heritage Area and are
consistent with the approved management plan.
(c) Prohibition on Acquisition of Real Property.--The local
coordinating entity may not use Federal funds received under this Act
to acquire any interest in real property.
SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN.
(a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds
are made available to develop the management plan, the local
coordinating entity shall submit to the Secretary for approval a
proposed management plan for the Heritage Area.
(b) Requirements.--The management plan for the Heritage Area shall--
(1) describe comprehensive policies, goals, strategies, and
recommendations for telling the story of the heritage of the
region and encouraging long-term resource protection,
enhancement, interpretation, funding, management, and
development of the Heritage Area;
(2) take into consideration existing State, county, and local
plans in the development and implementation of the management
plan;
(3) include a description of actions and commitments that
governments, private organizations, and citizens plan to take
to protect, enhance, and interpret the natural, historic,
scenic, and cultural resources of the Heritage Area;
(4) specify existing and potential sources of funding or
economic development strategies to protect, enhance, interpret,
fund, manage, and develop the Heritage Area;
(5) include an inventory of the natural, historic, cultural,
educational, scenic, and recreational resources of the Heritage
Area relating to the stories and themes of the region that
should be protected, enhanced, managed, or developed;
(6) recommend policies and strategies for resource management
including, the development of intergovernmental and interagency
agreements to protect the natural, historic, cultural,
educational, scenic, and recreational resources of the Heritage
Area;
(7) describe a program for implementation of the management
plan, including--
(A) performance goals;
(B) plans for resource protection, enhancement, and
interpretation; and
(C) specific commitments for implementation that have
been made by the local coordinating entity or any
government, organization, business, or individual;
(8) include an analysis of, and recommendations for, ways in
which Federal, State, tribal, and local programs may best be
coordinated (including the role of the National Park Service
and other Federal agencies associated with the Heritage Area)
to further the purposes of this Act;
(9) include an interpretive plan for the Heritage Area; and
(10) include a business plan that--
(A) describes the role, operation, financing, and
functions of the local coordinating entity and of each
of the major activities described in the management
plan; and
(B) provides adequate assurances that the local
coordinating entity has the partnerships and financial
and other resources necessary to implement the
management plan for the Heritage Area.
(c) Termination of Funding.--If the management plan is not submitted
to the Secretary in accordance with this subsection, the local
coordinating entity shall not qualify for additional financial
assistance under this Act until the management plan is submitted to,
and approved by, the Secretary.
(d) Approval of Management Plan.--
(1) Review.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which
the Secretary receives the management plan, the Secretary shall
approve or disapprove the management plan.
(2) Consultation required.--The Secretary shall consult with
the Governor of the State and any tribal government in which
the Heritage Area is located before approving the management
plan.
(3) Criteria for approval.--In determining whether to approve
the management plan, the Secretary shall consider whether--
(A) the local coordinating entity represents the
diverse interests of the Heritage Area, including
governments, natural and historic resource protection
organizations, educational institutions, businesses,
community residents, and recreational organizations;
(B) the local coordinating entity has afforded
adequate opportunity for public and governmental
involvement (including through workshops and public
meetings) in the preparation of the management plan;
(C) the resource protection and interpretation
strategies described in the management plan, if
implemented, would adequately protect the natural,
historic, and cultural resources of the Heritage Area;
(D) the management plan would not adversely affect
any activities authorized on Federal or tribal land
under applicable laws or land use plans;
(E) the Secretary has received adequate assurances
from the appropriate State, tribal, and local officials
whose support is needed to ensure the effective
implementation of the State, tribal, and local aspects
of the management plan; and
(F) the local coordinating entity has demonstrated
the financial capability, in partnership with others,
to carry out the management plan.
(4) Action following disapproval.--
(A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves the
management plan, the Secretary--
(i) shall advise the local coordinating
entity in writing of the reasons for the
disapproval; and
(ii) may make recommendations to the local
coordinating entity for revisions to the
management plan.
(B) Deadline.--Not later than 180 days after
receiving a revised management plan, the Secretary
shall approve or disapprove the revised management
plan.
(5) Amendments.--
(A) In general.--An amendment to the management plan
that substantially alters the purposes of the Heritage
Area shall be reviewed by the Secretary and approved or
disapproved in the same manner as the original
management plan.
(B) Implementation.--The local coordinating entity
shall not use Federal funds authorized to be
appropriated by this Act to implement an amendment to
the management plan until the Secretary approves the
amendment.
SEC. 6. DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES OF THE SECRETARY.
(a) Technical and Financial Assistance.--
(1) In general.--On the request of the local coordinating
entity, the Secretary may provide technical and financial
assistance, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis (as
determined by the Secretary), to the local coordinating entity
to develop and implement the management plan.
(2) Cooperative agreements.--The Secretary may enter into
cooperative agreements with the local coordinating entity and
other public or private entities to provide technical or
financial assistance under paragraph (1).
(3) Priority.--In assisting the Heritage Area, the Secretary
shall give priority to actions that assist in--
(A) conserving the significant natural, historic,
cultural, and scenic resources of the Heritage Area;
and
(B) providing educational, interpretive, and
recreational opportunities consistent with the purposes
of the Heritage Area.
(b) Evaluation; Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years before the date on
which authority for Federal funding terminates for the Heritage
Area under section 10, the Secretary shall--
(A) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of
the Heritage Area; and
(B) prepare a report with recommendations for the
future role of the National Park Service, if any, with
respect to the Heritage Area, in accordance with
paragraph (3).
(2) Evaluation.--An evaluation conducted under paragraph
(1)(A) shall--
(A) assess the progress of the local coordinating
entity with respect to--
(i) accomplishing the purposes of this Act
for the Heritage Area; and
(ii) achieving the goals and objectives of
the approved management plan for the Heritage
Area;
(B) analyze the Federal, State, local, and private
investments in the Heritage Area to determine the
leverage and impact of the investments; and
(C) review the management structure, partnership
relationships, and funding of the Heritage Area for
purposes of identifying the critical components for
sustainability of the Heritage Area.
(3) Report.--
(A) In general.--Based on the evaluation conducted
under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall prepare a
report that includes recommendations for the future
role of the National Park Service, if any, with respect
to the Heritage Area.
(B) Required analysis.--If the report prepared under
this paragraph recommends that Federal funding for the
Heritage Area be reauthorized, the report shall include
an analysis of--
(i) ways in which Federal funding for the
Heritage Area may be reduced or eliminated; and
(ii) the appropriate time period necessary to
achieve the recommended reduction or
elimination.
(C) Submission to congress.--On completion of a
report under this paragraph, the Secretary shall submit
the report to--
(i) the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate; and
(ii) the Committee on Natural Resources of
the House of Representatives.
SEC. 7. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.
(a) In General.--Nothing in this Act affects the authority of a
Federal agency to provide technical or financial assistance under any
other law.
(b) Consultation and Coordination.--To the maximum extent
practicable, the head of any Federal agency planning to conduct
activities that may have an impact on the Heritage Area is encouraged
to consult and coordinate the activities with the Secretary and the
local coordinating entity.
(c) Other Federal Agencies.--Nothing in this Act--
(1) modifies, alters, or amends any laws (including
regulations) authorizing a Federal agency to manage Federal
land under the jurisdiction of the Federal agency;
(2) limits the discretion of a Federal land manager to
implement an approved land use plan within the boundaries of
the Heritage Area; or
(3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized use of Federal
land under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency.
SEC. 8. PROPERTY OWNERS AND REGULATORY PROTECTIONS.
Nothing in this Act--
(1) abridges the rights of any owner of public or private
property, including the right to refrain from participating in
any plan, project, program, or activity conducted within the
Heritage Area;
(2) requires any property owner to--
(A) permit public access (including Federal, tribal,
State, or local government access) to the property; or
(B) modify any provisions of Federal, tribal, State,
or local law with regard to public access or use of
private land;
(3) alters any duly adopted land use regulations, approved
land use plan, or any other regulatory authority of any
Federal, State, or local agency, or tribal government;
(4) conveys any land use or other regulatory authority to the
local coordinating entity;
(5) authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation of
water or water rights;
(6) diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish and
wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting
within the Heritage Area; or
(7) creates any liability, or affects any liability under any
other law, of any private property owner with respect to any
person injured on the private property.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this Act $10,000,000, of which not more than $1,000,000 may be made
available for any fiscal year.
(b) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--
(1) In general.--The Federal share of the total cost of any
activity under this Act shall be not more than 50 percent.
(2) Form.--The non-Federal contribution--
(A) shall be from non-Federal sources; and
(B) may be in the form of in-kind contributions of
goods or services fairly valued.
SEC. 10. TERMINATION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
The authority of the Secretary to provide assistance under this Act
terminates on the date that is 15 years after the date of enactment of
this Act.
PURPOSE
The purpose of S. 2604 is to establish the Baltimore
National Heritage Area in the State of Maryland.
BACKGROUND AND NEED
Within the City of Baltimore are 24 National Historic
Landmarks, 52 National Register Historic Districts, 5 Maryland
Scenic Byways, and an All-American Road. The Battle of
Baltimore was a turning point in the War of 1812 and inspired
Francis Scott Key to write ``The Star-Spangled Banner''.
Baltimore is also home to Frederick Douglass and Thurgood
Marshall. The City also contains a number of important natural,
cultural, and recreational resources.
A feasibility study prepared in 2006 found that the area
met the National Park Service's interim criteria for national
heritage designation. Under S. 2604, the Baltimore Heritage
Area Association will be the local coordinating entity for the
heritage area.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
S. 2604 was introduced by Senators Mikulski and Cardin on
February 7, 2008. The Subcommittee on National Parks held a
hearing on the bill on April 23, 2008.
At its business meeting on May 7, 2008, the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources ordered S. 2604 favorably
reported, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in open
business session on May 7, 2008, by a voice vote of a quorum
present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 2604, if amended as
described herein.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
During the consideration of S. 2604, the Committee adopted
an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The amendment
removes the findings and makes other conforming amendments so
that the authorization for the heritage area is consistent with
other heritage area bills reported by the Committee. The
amendment is explained in detail in the section-by-section
analysis, below.
SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS
Section 1 provides the short title, the ``Baltimore
National Heritage Area Act.''
Section 2 defines key terms used in the Act.
Section 3(a) establishes the Baltimore National Heritage
Area (``heritage area'') in the State of Maryland.
Subsection (b) describes the boundaries of the heritage
area as depicted on the referenced map and lists the
significant historic sites that the heritage area encompasses.
Subsection (c) states that a map of the heritage area shall
be included in the management plan and available on file in
appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
Subsection (d) designates the Baltimore Heritage Area
Association as the local coordinating entity for the heritage
area.
Section 4(a) details the duties of the local coordinating
entity.
Subsection (b) lists the authorities of the local
coordinating entity. The subsection authorizes the local
coordinating entity to use Federal funds to prepare activities
recommended in the management plan for the heritage area, pay
for operational expenses, make grants and enter into
cooperative agreements, hire staff, obtain funds or services
from any source, and contract for goods or services.
Subsection (c) prohibits the local coordinating entity from
using Federal funds made available under this Act to acquire
real property or an interest in real property.
Section 5(a) requires the local coordinating entity to
prepare and submit for review a management plan to the
Secretary no later than three years after the date on which the
funds are made available to carry out this Act.
Subsection (b) lists the requirements for the contents of
the management plan.
Subsection (c) states that if the management plan is not
submitted within the three-year period, Federal funding is
suspended until the plan is submitted to the Secretary.
Subsection (d) requires the Secretary to approve or
disapprove the management plan within six months after
receiving the plan and lists the criteria the Secretary is to
consider in determining whether to approve or disapprove the
plan.
Section 6(a) authorizes the Secretary to provide technical
and financial assistance to the local coordinating entity to
develop and implement the management plan.
Subsection (b) requires the Secretary to conduct an
evaluation of the accomplishments of the national heritage area
not later than three years before the date Federal funding
authority terminates. The evaluation shall assess the progress
of the management entity with respect to accomplishing the
purposes of this Act for the heritage area and whether the
management entity achieved the goals and objectives of the
approved management plan for the heritage area. The evaluation
is also required to analyze governmental investments in the
heritage area to determine the leverage and impact of the
investments. The Secretary is directed to prepare a report,
based on the evaluation, that includes recommendations for the
future role of the National Park Service, if any, for the
heritage area. If the report recommends that Federal funding
for the area be reauthorized, it is required to include an
analysis of ways Federal funding may be reduced or eliminated.
The report is to be submitted to the House and Senate
authorizing committees.
Section 7(a) clarifies that nothing in this Act affects the
authority of a Federal agency to provide technical or financial
assistance under any other law.
Subsection (b) encourages the head of a Federal agency
planning to conduct activities that may have an impact on the
heritage area to consult and coordinate the activities with the
Secretary and the management entity to the maximum extent
practicable.
Subsection (c) clarifies that nothing in this Act modifies
authorities of Federal agencies to manage Federal land, limits
the discretion of a Federal agency to implement an approved
land use plan, or modifies or alters any authorized use of
Federal land.
Section 8 contains several savings provisions to clarify
that the designation of the national heritage area will not
affect private property rights, affect governmental land use
regulation, reserve or appropriate water rights, diminish the
authority of the State to manage fish and wildlife, or create
any liability for property owners within the heritage area.
Section 9(a) authorizes total appropriations of $10
million, with not more than $1 million authorized to be
appropriated for any fiscal year.
Subsection (b) requires Federal funding to be matched on a
50:50 basis with funds from non-Federal sources.
Section 10 provides that the authority of the Secretary to
provide assistance under this Act terminates 15 years after the
date of enactment.
COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS
The following estimate of costs of this measure has been
provided by the Congressional Budget Office:
S. 2604--Baltimore National Heritage Area Act of 2008
S. 2604 would establish the Baltimore National Heritage
Area (NHA) in Maryland and designate the Baltimore Heritage
Area Association, a local nonprofit organization, as the
management entity for the NHA. The bill would authorize the
appropriation of $10 million, not to exceed $1 million
annually, for financial assistance to the association and other
eligible entities over the next 15 years.
Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO
estimates that implementing S. 2604 would cost $5 million over
the 2009-2013 period and an additional $5 million after 2013.
Enacting the legislation would have no effect on direct
spending or revenues.
S. 2604 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and
would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Deborah Reis.
This estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, 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. 2604. 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. 2604, as ordered reported.
CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING
In accordance with paragraph 4(b) of rule XLIV of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides the
following identification of congressionally directed spending
items contained in the bill, as reported:
Section Provision Member
9............................... Authorization of Mikulski
appropriations.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
The testimony provided by the National Park Service at the
April 23, 2008, hearing on S. 2604 follows:
Statement of Daniel N. Wenk, Deputy Director, National Park Service,
Department of the Interior
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to appear
before your committee to present the views of the Department of
the Interior on S. 2604, a bill to establish the Baltimore
National Heritage Area in the State of Maryland.
We recommend that the committee defer action on S. 2604 and
all other proposed heritage area designations until program
legislation is enacted that establishes guidelines and a
process for the designation of national heritage areas. In
summer 2006, the Administration sent to Congress a legislative
proposal to establish such guidelines and a process for
designation. The National Heritage Areas Partnership Act, S.
278, was introduced during the 110th Congress and it
incorporated the majority of the provisions of the
Administration's proposal. We look forward to continuing to
work with Congress on this very important issue.
With 37 national heritage areas designated across 27
states, and more heritage area legislative proposals in the
pipeline, the Administration believes it is critical at this
juncture for Congress to enact national heritage area program
legislation. This legislation would provide a much-needed
framework for evaluating proposed national heritage areas,
offering guidelines for successful planning and management,
clarifying the roles and responsibilities of all parties, and
standardizing timeframes and funding for designated areas.
Program legislation also would clarify the expectation that
heritage areas would work toward self-sufficiency by outlining
the necessary steps, including appropriate planning, to achieve
that shared goal.
The Baltimore Heritage Area was certified by the Maryland
Heritage Areas Authority in 2001 as a state heritage area. The
Baltimore Heritage Area is managed by the Baltimore City
Heritage Area Association, a 40-member board appointed by the
Mayor. The Association has a proved track record as a
successful coordinating entity among diverse partners in the
Baltimore area. Over the past seven years, the Baltimore
Heritage Area has proved to be a successful effort, supporting,
facilitating, and leveraging interpretive projects, historic
preservation projects, and education efforts. The heritage area
has strong support from the public and a myriad of state,
local, federal, and non-governmental partners throughout the
area.
The National Park Service reviewed both the updated
management action plan and the feasibility study and concurs
that the proposed Baltimore National Heritage Area meets
required criteria for congressional designation. In 2006, the
Baltimore City Heritage Area Association updated the Baltimore
City Heritage Area Management Action Plan that serves as a
blueprint for protecting historic, cultural and natural
resources through activities and investments within the
heritage area. In addition, the Association completed a
national heritage area feasibility study, based upon the
National Park Service criteria, to determine whether the area
met the criteria for national heritage area designation. The
study concluded that the region met all of the criteria for
designation including the existence of significant levels of
public support and local commitments necessary for successful
planning and implementation of a heritage area.
The proposed heritage area comprises a large swath of the
city of Baltimore, approximately 11,000 acres, and includes 24
National Historic Landmarks, 53,000 buildings listed in 52
National Register of Historic Places historic districts, 8,000
buildings in 30 local historic districts, a system of parks and
waterways, five Maryland Scenic Byways, and an All-American
Road. In addition to Baltimore's important cultural, natural
and recreational resources, the City derives its significance
from several key historical events with many opportunities to
interpret and provide for public understanding and appreciation
of the City's rich history through heritage programming.
First and foremost amongst these is the defense of
Baltimore against the British in 1814 by a populace of largely
first-generation immigrants and free and enslaved African
Americans. The Star-Spangled Banner, our national anthem, and a
new sense of national identity were forged in large part out of
this experience. This theme of forging a strong, diverse, and
complex national identity is very robust in Baltimore and
includes the period of the War of 1812, the notorious domestic
slave trade, the earliest organized abolition movement in the
South, a vital community of free Blacks, and the City's divided
loyalties during the Civil War. All were part of the City's
national identity and are still represented in the cityscape,
historic buildings, and diverse peoples of Baltimore.
Baltimore was home to Frederick Douglass, Isaac Myers, and
Thurgood Marshall each of whom, with their individual
contributions, helped forge the identity of the nation.
Douglass declared: ``Going to live at Baltimore laid the
foundation, and opened the gateway, to all my subsequent
prosperity . . .'' The Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime
Park commemorates the story of these two men and the first
African American shipyard. Resources associated with Thurgood
Marshall, the first African American to serve as a justice on
the Supreme Court of the United States, include Public School
103, the first school Thurgood Marshall attended, and his
boyhood home. The Heritage Area has already begun to
rehabilitate and interpret the public school.
Other resources representing the theme of national identity
include the National Road, the Nation's first federally funded
interstate transportation route, that begun in 1811 in
Baltimore and headed westward. Themes and resources that are
also well-represented in the heritage area include maritime
history, immigration, and industrialization. Baltimore was a
major shipbuilding center beginning with the famous Baltimore
clippers, a major port of entry for new immigrants second only
to New York, and the starting point and industrial center of
the first long distance railroad into the American frontier.
Mr. Chairman, while the proposed Baltimore National
Heritage Area contains nationally distinctive natural and
cultural resources and meets the established criteria for
congressional designation, we would again request that the
committee defer action until national heritage area program
legislation is enacted. However, if the committee chooses to
move ahead with this bill, the Department would recommend that
the bill be amended to include an additional requirement for an
evaluation to be conducted by the Secretary, three years prior
to the cessation of federal funding under this act. The
evaluation would examine the accomplishments of the heritage
area in meeting the goals of the management plan; analyze the
leveraging and impact of investments to the heritage area;
identify the critical components of the management structure
and sustainability of the heritage area; and recommend what
future role, if any, the National Park Service should have with
respect to the heritage area.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment. This concludes my
prepared remarks and I would be happy to answer any questions
that you or the members of the committee may have.
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, S. 2604, as
ordered reported.