§ 120104. Evaluation

• (a) At reasonable and appropriate intervals, as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary may—
  • (1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of a National Heritage Area in accordance with subsection (b); and
  • (2) prepare and submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that includes recommendations for the continued role of the Service with respect to each National Heritage Area in accordance with subsection (c).
• (b) An evaluation under subsection (a)(1) shall—
  • (1) assess the progress of the applicable local coordinating entity of a National Heritage Area with respect to—
    • (A) accomplishing the purposes of the applicable National Heritage Area; and
    • (B) achieving the goals and objectives of the management plan;
  • (2) analyze Federal, State, local, Tribal government, and private investments in the National Heritage Area to determine the leverage and impact of the investments; and
  • (3) review the management structure, partnership relationships, and funding of the National Heritage Area for purposes of identifying the critical components for sustainability of the National Heritage Area.
• (c) Each report under subsection (a)(2) shall include—
  • (1) if the report contains a recommendation of the Secretary that Federal funding for the applicable National Heritage Area should be continued, an analysis of—
    • (A) any means by which that Federal funding may be reduced or eliminated over time; and
    • (B) the appropriate time period necessary to achieve the recommended reduction or elimination of Federal funding; or
  • (2) if the report contains a recommendation of the Secretary that Federal funding for the applicable National Heritage Area should be eliminated, a description of potential impacts on conservation, interpretation, and sustainability in the applicable National Heritage Area.