Downeast Maine National Heritage Area Act

the area in Maine known as “Downeast Maine” embodies a nationally important story of the longstanding human dependence on natural resources to survive and thrive;

dramatic changes have occurred on many levels over the last several centuries in Downeast Maine, but even after 10,000 years—

dependence on the natural resources in Downeast Maine for economic, community, and environmental health has led to habitat conservation and species restoration initiatives that allow natural systems and cultural associations to remain intact in Downeast Maine;

coastal fisheries, forest products, agriculture, wild blueberries, subsistence harvests, outdoor recreation, tourism, and habitat conservation are the heart of the culture and economy of Downeast Maine;

traditions of trade and culture from the past can be experienced firsthand in Downeast Maine;

the Downeast Maine way of life is visible—

Passamaquoddy language and arts and traditions from the fishing, logging, maritime, and wild blueberry industries are preserved in audio and photographic collections in Downeast Maine;

markets and galleries in Downeast Maine showcase arts, foods, and utilitarian products created with the natural resources of the area that can be purchased directly from the producer;

community festivals in Downeast Maine celebrate the nature-based culture of Downeast Maine;

lighthouses and watercraft dominate the coastal scenery in Downeast Maine; and

the scenic byways and network of land and water trails in Downeast Maine provide a physical experience of unique geologic features, waterways, wildlife, and working landscapes, such as wild blueberry fields and forests.

Heritage area— The term Heritage Area means the Downeast Maine National Heritage Area established by section 4(a).

Local coordinating entity— The term “local coordinating entity” means the local coordinating entity for the Heritage Area designated by section 5(a).

Management plan— The term management plan means the plan developed by the local coordinating entity under section 6(a).

Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

State— The term State means the State of Maine.

Establishment— There is established the Downeast Maine National Heritage Area in the State.

Boundaries— The Heritage Area shall consist of Hancock and Washington Counties in the State.

Local coordinating entity— The Sunrise County Economic Council shall be the local coordinating entity for the Heritage Area.

Authorities of local coordinating entity— The local coordinating entity may, for purposes of preparing and implementing the management plan, use Federal funds made available under this Act—

Duties of local coordinating entity— To further the purposes of the Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity shall—

In general— Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out this Act, the local coordinating entity shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a management plan for the Heritage Area.

Contents— The management plan for the Heritage Area shall—

Disqualification from funding— If a proposed management plan is not submitted to the Secretary by the date that is 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out this Act, the local coordinating entity may not receive additional funding under this Act until the date on which the Secretary receives the proposed management plan.

In general— Nothing in this Act affects the authority of a Federal agency to provide technical or financial assistance under any other law.

Consultation and coordination— 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 to the extent practicable.

Other Federal agencies— Nothing in this Act—

abridges the rights of any property owner (whether public or private), including the right to refrain from participating in any plan, project, program, or activity conducted within the Heritage Area;

requires any property owner to permit public access (including access by Federal, State, or local agencies) to the property of the property owner, or to modify public access or use of property of the property owner under any other Federal, State, or local law;

alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal, State, or local agency, or conveys any land use or other regulatory authority to the local coordinating entity;

authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation of water or water rights;

diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish and wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting within the Heritage Area; or

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.

In General— Not later than 3 years before the date on which authority for Federal funding terminates for the Heritage Area, the Secretary shall—

Evaluation— An evaluation conducted under subsection (a)(1) shall—

In general— There is authorized to be appropriated for the Heritage Area $10,000,000, of which not more than $1,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated for any fiscal year.

Availability— Amounts made available under subsection (a) shall remain available until expended.