MANAGEMENT OF THE HERITAGE AREA.

SEC. 256. MANAGEMENT OF THE HERITAGE AREA.(a) Heritage Area Management Plan.—(1) Development and submission for review.—Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out the subtitle, the local coordinating entity, with public participation, shall develop and submit for review to the Secretary a management plan for the Heritage Area.(2) Contents.—The management plan shall—(A) present comprehensive recommendations for the conservation, funding, management, and development of the Heritage Area;(B) take into consideration Federal, State, county, and local plans;(C) involve residents, public agencies, and private organizations in the Heritage Area;(D) include a description of actions that units of government and private organizations are recommended to take to protect the resources of the Heritage Area;(E) specify existing and potential sources of Federal and non-Federal funding for the conservation, management, and development of the Heritage Area; and(F) include—(i) an inventory of resources in the Heritage Area that—(I) includes a list of property in the Heritage Area that should be conserved, restored, managed, developed, or maintained because of the historical, cultural, or natural significance of the property as the property relates to the themes of the Heritage Area; and120 STAT. 1804(II) does not include any property that is privately owned unless the owner of the property consents in writing to the inclusion;(ii) a recommendation of policies for resource management that consider the application of appropriate land and water management techniques, including policies for the development of intergovernmental cooperative agreements to manage the historical, cultural, and natural resources and recreational opportunities of the Heritage Area in a manner that is consistent with the support of appropriate and compatible economic viability;(iii) a program for implementation of the management plan, including plans for restoration and construction;(iv) a description of any commitments that have been made by persons interested in management of the Heritage Area;(v) an analysis of means by which Federal, State, and local programs may best be coordinated to promote the purposes of this subtitle; and(vi) an interpretive plan for the Heritage Area.(3) Approval or disapproval of the management plan.—(A) In general.—Not later than 180 days after submission of the management plan by the local coordinating entity, the Secretary shall approve or disapprove the management plan.(B) Disapproval and revisions.—(i) In general.—If the Secretary disapproves the management plan, the Secretary shall—(I) advise the local coordinating entity, in writing, of the reasons for the disapproval; and(II) make recommendations for revision of the management plan.(ii) Approval or disapproval.—The Secretary shall approve or disapprove proposed revisions to the management plan not later than 60 days after receipt of the revisions from the local coordinating entity.(b) Priorities.—The local coordinating entity shall give priority to the implementation of actions, goals, and policies set forth in the management plan, including—(1) assisting units of government, regional planning organizations, and nonprofit organizations in—(A) conserving the historical, cultural, and natural resources of the Heritage Area;(B) establishing and maintaining interpretive exhibits in the Heritage Area;(C) developing recreational opportunities in the Heritage Area;(D) increasing public awareness of and appreciation for the historical, cultural, and natural resources of the Heritage Area;(E) restoring historic buildings that are—(i) located within the boundaries of the Heritage Area; and(ii) related to the theme of the Heritage Area; and120 STAT. 1805(F) ensuring that clear, consistent, and environmentally appropriate signs identifying access points and sites of interest are put in place throughout the Heritage Area; and(2) consistent with the goals of the management plan, encouraging economic viability in the affected communities by appropriate means, including encouraging and soliciting the development of heritage products.(c) Consideration of Interests of Local Groups.—In developing and implementing the management plan, the local coordinating entity shall consider the interests of diverse units of government, businesses, private property owners, and nonprofit organizations in the Heritage Area.(d) Public Meetings.—The local coordinating entity shall conduct public meetings at least annually regarding the implementation of the management plan.(e) Annual Reports.—For any fiscal year in which the local coordinating entity receives Federal funds under this subtitle, the local coordinating entity shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that describes—(1) the accomplishments of the local coordinating entity;(2) the expenses and income of the local coordinating entity; and(3) the entities to which the local coordinating entity made any grants during the year for which the report is made.(f) Cooperation With Audits.—For any fiscal year in which the local coordinating entity receives Federal funds under this subtitle, the local coordinating entity shall—(1) make available for audit by Congress, the Secretary, and appropriate units of government all records and other information relating to the expenditure of the Federal funds and any matching funds; and(2) require, with respect to all agreements authorizing expenditure of the Federal funds by other organizations, that the receiving organizations make available for audit all records and other information relating to the expenditure of the Federal funds.(g) Delegation.—(1) In general.—The local coordinating entity may delegate the responsibilities and actions under this subtitle for each area identified in section 254(b)(1).(2) Review.—All delegated responsibilities and actions are subject to review and approval by the local coordinating entity.