PURPOSES.

SEC. 401. PURPOSES. The purposes of this subtitle include—(1) to recognize the national importance of the natural and cultural legacies of the area, as demonstrated in the study 122 STAT. 803 entitled “The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area Feasibility Study” dated September 2006;(2) to preserve, support, conserve, and interpret the legacy of the American history created along the National Heritage Area;(3) to promote heritage, cultural and recreational tourism and to develop educational and cultural programs for visitors and the general public;(4) to recognize and interpret important events and geographic locations representing key developments in the creation of America, including Native American, Colonial American, European American, and African American heritage;(5) to recognize and interpret the effect of the Civil War on the civilian population of the National Heritage Area during the war and post-war reconstruction period;(6) to enhance a cooperative management framework to assist the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State of West Virginia, and their units of local government, the private sector, and citizens residing in the National Heritage Area in conserving, supporting, enhancing, and interpreting the significant historic, cultural and recreational sites in the National Heritage Area; and(7) to provide appropriate linkages among units of the National Park System within and surrounding the National Heritage Area, to protect, enhance, and interpret resources outside of park boundaries.