Doc Hastings: “H.R. 940, introduced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood) would establish the Lackawanna Valley National…”

“H.R. 940, introduced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood) would establish the Lackawanna Valley National Heritage Area in the State of Pennsylvania. The proposed area would cover a four-county region in the northeastern part of the State, which is a nationally significant historical area. The bill establishes an authority which would prepare a management plan for the area, which will be submitted to the Secretary of the Interior for approval within 3 years of enactment of this legislation. The plan shall include recommendations for actions to be undertaken by units of government and private organizations in order to protect and interpret the historical, natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the area. H.R. 940 authorizes the appropriation of not more than $1 million for any fiscal year and not more than $10 million in total for purposes set forth in this act. Finally, Federal funding may not exceed 50 percent of the cost of any assistance authorized in this act, and the authority may not use Federal funds received under the legislation to acquire real property or interest in real property.”