ate with the Secretary, and to the maximum extent practicable, coordinate such activities with the activities of the Secretary and the corporation. Section 10 authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act, except that with respect to cooperative agreements, loans, and grants, any Federal funds must be matched on a one-to-one basis from non-Federal sources. COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS The following estimate of the cost of this measure has been provided by the Congressional Budget Office: Hon. J. Bennett Johnston, U.S. CONGRESS, CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, Washington, DC, April 5, 1994. Chairman, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has reviewed S. 1341, the Wheeling National Heritage Area Act of 1994, as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on March 23, 1994. Assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts, CBO estimates that the federal government would spend at least $41 million to implement this bill over the next seven years. About $8 million of this would be spent during fiscal year 1995. S. 1341 would not affect direct spending or receipts; there, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply. Bill Provisions.-S. 1341 would establish the Wheeling National Heritage Area in West Virginia. The bill also would establish a private, non-profit Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation (WNHAC) to develop the area by implementing the 1992 Wheeling National Heritage Area task force plan. The National Park Service (NPS) would support the commission's efforts by providing: Interpretive, planning, and educational materials and assistance, including staffing; Financial assistance for capital improvement projects and (for five years) annual WNHAC operations; and Technical assistance on plans and studies. In addition, the NPS would be authorized to make loans and grants to the WNHAC, the state of West Virginia, or other entities for up to 50 percent of the costs of local implementation activities. Finally, the bill would authorize the appropriation of whatever sums are necessary for these purposes. Estimated Cost to the Federal Government.-CBO estimates that the WNHAC and the NPS would spend about $51 million over the next seven years to carry out projects identified in the 1992 plan. Of this amount, the federal government would fund at least $31 million, plus one-half of the $20 million balance through grants and loans, assuming appropriation of the necessary funds. Of the total $41 million in federal spending, about $8 million would be spent during 1995. Spending over the 1996-1998 period would be about $22 million. Other projects, such as a bridge museum and conservation programs, may be identified as a result of the planning process now underway, but cost estimates for such activities cannot be made until planning has been completed. For purposes of this estimate, CBO has assumed that S. 1341 will be enacted late in fiscal year 1994 and that the entire amounts estimated to be necessary for plan implementation will be appropriated as needed over the following seven years. The basis for all estimates is the 1992 implementation plan, adjusted for inflation, appropriations to date, and information provided by the Wheeling National Heritage Area task force and the NPS. The estimated costs of completing implementation of the 1992 plan are in addition to the $24 million already provided for Wheeling projects through fiscal year 1994. Of that amount, approximately $18 million was provided through federal appropriations ($9.6 million from the NPS and $8.5 million from the Department of Transportation), and $6 million was generated locally. Enactment of this legislation would have no impact on the budgets of state of local governments. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis, who can be reached at 226-2860. Sincerely, ROBERT D. REISCHAUER, Director. REGULATORY IMPACT EVALUATION In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of Rule XXVI of the Standng Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following evalation of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in carryng out S. 1341. 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 rogram. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal privacy. Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the enactnent of S. 1341, as ordered reported. EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS On September 9, 1993, the Committee on Energy and Natural esources requested legislative reports from the Department of the nterior and the Office of Management and Budget setting forth xecutive agency recommendations on S. 1341. These reports had ot been received at the time the report on S. 1341 was filed. When he reports become available, the Chairman will request that they e printed in the Congressional Record for the advice of the Senate. he testimony provided by the National Park Service at the Sub>mmittee hearing follows: STATEMENT OF JOHN J. REYNOLDS, DEPUTY DI- Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to present the Department of the Interior's views on S. 1341, a bill that would establish the Wheeling National Heritage Area in West Virginia. S. 1341 would designate the Wheeling National Heritage Area in Wheeling, West Virginia and authorize the establishment of the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation to carry out the purposes of the area. We recommend that action on S. 1341 be deferred until the Administration has submitted its proposal on National Heritage Areas later this fall. The fact that we are recommending that Congress defer action on the bill does not mean that we oppose the purposes or intent of S. 1341. As you know, there is considerable interest within the Congress for designating "National Heritage Areas", as evidenced by a variety of pending bills including S. 1341. In addition, there is a great deal of pressure on the Park Service to add new units to the National Park System. The notion of a "National Heritage Area" as an alternative to the traditional designation as a unit of the National Park System has been discussed within the Agency over the past few years. In response to this interest, we are reviewing a proposal that offers an alternative approach that would meet the needs of local communities without creating a management and financial burden for the federal government. A "National Heritage Area" could be defined as a place where natural, cultural, and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape arising from patterns of human activity shaped by geography. These areas provide rich educational, recreation, and environmental opportunities, yet they may not currently enjoy any special recognition or management. This idea is a concept for a national effort to help communities conserve these landscapes in a new way that would confer national recognition and support, while keeping management decisions in the hands of the local community. The National Park Service is developing a program to establish National Heritage Areas. This needs to be reviewed within the Department before we will be able to comment definitively on specific heritage area proposals. Wheeling, West Virginia, enjoys a rich heritage. It began as an early Ohio River crossing, and grew to national importance as a center of transportation and industry in the first half of the nineteenth century. It played an important part in the settlement of this country by serving as the western terminus of the National road in the early 1800s, by serving as the crossroads of America throughout the nineteenth century, and by serving as one of the few major inland ports during that period. The diversity of geologic resources found in the area contributed to Wheeling's development as a commercial and industrial center. Industries there that were crucial to the development of our Nation include: coal, iron and steel, tobacco, glass, china and tile, and boat building. Many of these resources are still active today or have the means to be easily interpreted. The numerous resources that the City of Wheeling pos sesses are of exceptional value in illustrating and interpreting the themes of our Nation's heritage and are worthy of national recognition and conservation for future generations. The National Park Service has worked extensively with the State of West Virginia, the City of Wheeling, and the Wheeling Heritage Area Task Force to develop a strategy for conserving, interpreting and promoting the natural, historic and cultural resources of Wheeling and the region. Given the considerable quantity of unmet needs at existing NPS units, we need to consider the priority of Federal expenditures related to new areas and programs. If the Congress were to act on this measure, we would request an authorization ceiling. Designation as a National Heritage Area, if that concept is approved, may provide a viable means for advancing the goals of recognition and conservation while keeping management and financial responsibility primarily at the local level. The plan for the Wheeling National Heritage Area calls for a Federal funding level of some $45 million over the next 10 years. Of this amount, the plan recommends that approximately $28 million come from the National Park Service. Funding for this bill would be subject to the Administration's budgetary priorities consistent with the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. We understand that the Department of Justice is reviewing the bill and may have comments regarding the appointment of corporation members and the corporation's executive powers. This concludes my prepared remarks, Mr. Chairman. I would be pleased to respond to your questions. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW In compliance with paragraph 12 of Rule XXVI of the Standing ules of the Senate, the Committee notes that no changes in existng law are made by the bill S. 1341, as ordered reported. |