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Week Ending December 16, 2005

 

H.R.2099 To establish the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.

                                                                                         

BRIEF

The bill establishes the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area in Georgia and amends the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Act of 2005.

 

Although financial and technical assistance can be provided to develop and implement the Georgia plan, no Federal funds can be used to acquire real estate. The plan must protect and improve natural, cultural, historical, scenic and recreational resources in the new Area and must follow a completed, 2001 feasibility study.

 

The Illinois and Michigan Canal Area was overseen by a commission but this bill would transfer the oversight authority to the Canal Corridor Association.

 

 

Sponsor: Representative Cynthia A McKinney (D-GA-4th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote December 19, 2005

Cost to the taxpayers: $10 million is authorized. Only $1 million can be spent yearly on the project. US share of the sots must not exceed 50%.

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MORE INFORMATION

SEC. 102. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) Findings- Congress finds the following:

(1) The Arabia Mountain area contains a variety of natural, cultural, historical, scenic, and recreational resources that together represent distinctive aspects of the heritage of the United States that are worthy of recognition, conservation, interpretation, and continuing use.

(2) The best methods for managing the resources of the Arabia Mountain area would be through partnerships between public and private entities that combine diverse resources and active communities.

(3) Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, a 535-acre park in DeKalb County, Georgia--

(A) protects granite outcrop ecosystems, wetland, and pine and oak forests; and

(B) includes federally-protected plant species.

(4) Panola Mountain, a national natural landmark, located in the 860-acre Panola Mountain State Conservation Park, is a rare example of a pristine granite outcrop.

(5) The archaeological site at Miners Creek Preserve along the South River contains documented evidence of early human activity.

(6) The city of Lithonia, Georgia, and related sites of Arabia Mountain and Stone Mountain possess sites that display the history of granite mining as an industry and culture in Georgia, and the impact of that industry on the United States.

(7) The community of Klondike is eligible for designation as a National Historic District.

(8) The city of Lithonia has 2 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

(b) Purposes- The purposes of this title are as follows:

(1) To recognize, preserve, promote, interpret, and make available for the benefit of the public the natural, cultural, historical, scenic, and recreational resources in the area that includes Arabia Mountain, Panola Mountain, Miners Creek, and other significant sites and communities.

(2) To assist the State of Georgia and the counties of DeKalb, Rockdale, and Henry in the State in developing and implementing an integrated cultural, historical, and land resource management program to protect, enhance, and interpret the significant resources within the heritage area.

 

 

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