Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Historic Lighthouse Resiliency Act”.
Historic Lighthouse Resiliency Act
A BILL
To provide for assistance to improve the resilience of historic light stations, to study the long-term protection needs of historic light stations, and to establish a national database of historic light stations, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Definitions
In this Act:
Eligible entity— The term eligible entity means a State or local government or nonprofit organization that owns or controls a historic light station.
Historic light station— The term historic light station means a lighthouse, including walkways and underlying, adjacent, and appurtenant land and related real property and associated improvements—
that is owned or controlled by an eligible entity as a result of a conveyance under chapter 3051 of title 54, United States Code; and
that is included, or eligible for inclusion, in the National Register of Historic Places.
Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Army.
Sec. 3 Historic light stations
In general— The Secretary may carry out projects to make structural or nonstructural improvements, including relocation—
to improve the resilience of a historic light station against the adverse effects of climate change, such as sea level rise and storm damage;
to ensure continued public access to the historic light station; and
to improve public safety on the grounds of the historic light station.
Costs—
Cost-share— The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under this section shall be 65 percent.
Project limit— The Federal cost of a project carried out under this section may not exceed $15,000,000.
Sec. 4 Study; national database
Study—
In general— The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, State Historic Preservation Officers, and other appropriate State and local public agencies and private organizations, shall conduct a study of national historic light stations to determine the long-term protection needs of historic light stations.
Requirements— As part of the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—
identify each historic light station in the United States;
recommend management alternatives that would be most effective for the long-term resiliency of historic light stations;
identify sources of financial and technical assistance for communities to maintain, repair, and preserve historic light stations; and
address how to assist eligible entities in increasing public access to historic light stations.
Report— Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that describes the results of the study and any findings and recommendations of the Secretary.
National database— Based on the results of the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a national database of historic light stations.
Sec. 5 Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2024.