COAL MINING HERITAGE STUDY.

SEC. 601. COAL MINING HERITAGE STUDY. (a) Study.—The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, is authorized and directed to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of protecting and preserving certain significant cultural, historic, and natural resources associated with the coal mining heritage of southern West Virginia. The study shall include, but not be limited to, the identification of— (1) Specific sites and points of interest associated with the coal mining heritage of West Virginia, the Appalachian Region and the Nation. 102 STAT. 4630 (2) The historic and cultural values of such sites and points of interest. (3) The relationship between such sites and points of interest with the natural, scenic, recreational, cultural and historic resources in the region managed by State or Federal agencies, including State and national park system units, recreational lakes, State forest system units, and historic landmarks. (4) A vehicular tour route along existing public roads linking such sites, points of interest and such other resources managed by State or Federal agencies. (b) Consultation and Coordination.—As part of such study, the Secretary shall consult with other interested Federal agencies, State and local government authorities, and nonprofit organizations. (c) Area To Be Studied.—The study shall focus on the eleven county areas consisting of Cabell, Wayne, Mingo, Logan, McDowell, Wyoming, Raleigh, Mercer, Boone, Fayette and Summers Counties, West Virginia. (d) Report.—Within one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall make a report of his findings to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate. (e) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this title.