PUBLIC LAW 106-291—OCT. 11, 2000 114 STAT. 963 are also not inconsistent with existing statutory authorities. Nothing in this section shall be construed to expand the existing statutory authority of the Secretary. SEC. 157. (a) SHORT TITLE.— This section may be cited as the Wheeling "Wheeling National Heritage Area Act of 2000". National (b) FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.— Act of IOOCT^^ (1) FINDINGS. — The Congress finds that— 16 USC 461 note. (A) the area in an around Wheeling, West Virginia, possesses important historical, cultural, and natural resources, representing major heritage themes of transportation, commerce and industry, and Victorian culture in the United States; (B) the City of Wheeling has played an important part in the settlement of this country by serving as— (i) the western terminus of the National Road of the early 1800's; (ii) the "Crossroads of America" throughout the nineteenth century; (iii) one of the few major inland ports in the nineteenth century; and (iv) the site for the establishment of the Restored State of Virginia, and later the State of West Virginia, during the Civil War and as the first capital of the new State of West Virginia; (C) the City of Wheeling has also played an importamt role in the industrial and commercial heritage of the United States, through the development and maintenance of many industries crucial to the Nation's expansion, including iron and steel, textile manufacturing, boat building, glass manufacturing, and stogie and chewing tobacco manufacturing facilities, many of which are industries that continue to play an important role in the national economy; (D) the city of Wheeling has retained its national heritage themes with the designations of the old custom house (now Independence Hall) and the historic suspension bridge as National Historic Landmarks; with five historic districts; and many individual properties in the Wheeling area listed or eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places; (E) the heritage themes and number and diversity of Wheeling's remaining resources should be appropriately retained, enhanced, and interpreted for the education, benefit, and inspiration of the people of the United States; and (F) in 1992 a comprehensive plan for the development and administration of the Wheeling National Heritage Area was completed for the National Park Service, the City of Wheeling, and the Wheeling National Task Force, including— (i) an inventory of the national and cultural resources in the City of Wheeling; (ii) criteria for preserving and interpreting significant natural and historic resources; (iii) a strategy for the conservation, preservation, and reuse of the historical and cultural resources in the City of Wheeling and the surrounding region; and
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