---
kind: "section"
citation: "54 U.S.C. § 120104"
title: "54"
title_heading: "National Park Service and Related Programs"
number: "120104"
heading: "Evaluation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/54/120104"
units:
  - "Subtitle I — National Park System"
  - "Division C — National Heritage Areas"
  - "Chapter 1201 — National Heritage Area System"
---

# §120104. Evaluation

- (a) **In General.—** At reasonable and appropriate intervals, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3), the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) may—
  - (1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of a National Heritage Area in accordance with [subsection (b)](#b); and
  - (2) prepare and submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that includes recommendations for the continued role of the [Service](/usc/54/100102.md?p=4) with respect to each National Heritage Area in accordance with [subsection (c)](#c).
- (b) **Components.—** An evaluation under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) shall—
  - (1) assess the progress of the applicable local coordinating entity of a National Heritage Area with respect to—
    - (A) accomplishing the purposes of the applicable National Heritage Area; and
    - (B) achieving the goals and objectives of the management plan;
  - (2) analyze Federal, State, local, Tribal government, and private investments in the National Heritage Area to determine the leverage and impact of the investments; and
  - (3) review the management structure, partnership relationships, and funding of the National Heritage Area for purposes of identifying the critical components for sustainability of the National Heritage Area.
- (c) **Recommendations.—** Each report under [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2) shall include—
  - (1) if the report contains a recommendation of the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) that Federal funding for the applicable National Heritage Area should be continued, an analysis of—
    - (A) any means by which that Federal funding may be reduced or eliminated over time; and
    - (B) the appropriate time period necessary to achieve the recommended reduction or elimination of Federal funding; or
  - (2) if the report contains a recommendation of the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) that Federal funding for the applicable National Heritage Area should be eliminated, a description of potential impacts on conservation, [interpretation](/usc/54/100801.md?p=1), and sustainability in the applicable National Heritage Area.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 117–339, § 2(a), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6161.)