PUBLIC LAW 104-333 —NOV. 12, 1996 110 STAT. 4249 TITLE III—AUGUSTA CANAL NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA SEC. 301. FINDINGS. The Congress finds that— (1) the Augusta Canal National Landmark in the State of Georgia, listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places, and designated by the Governor of Georgia as one of four regionally important resources in the State, is one of the last unspoiled areas in the State of Georgia; (2) the Augusta Canal National Historic Landmark possesses excellent water quality, beautiful rural and historic cultural landscapes, architecturally significant mill structures and mill villages, and large acreages of parks and permanent open space; (3) three national historic districts, the Harrisburg, Laney Walker, and Greene Street districts, and two national historic Iandmarks, Stallings Island, located in the Savannah River, and Meadow Garden, are connected by the Augusta Canal Area; (4) the beautiful rural landscapes and historic cultural landscapes, scenic vistas and excellent water quality of the Augusta Canal contain significant undeveloped recreational opportunities for people throughout the United States; (5) the Augusta Canal and related mill sites, structures, and associated neighborhoods are representatives of the development of the cotton textile industry and associated agriculture and trade in the South; (6) the transformation of the agrarian economy of the area into an early industrial economy was precipitated by the development and use of the Augusta Canal; (7) several significant sites associated with the American Revolution, the Civil War, Native Americans, Colonial Americans, African Americans, Chinese Americans, and Irish Americans are located within the Augusta Canal area; (8) despite the efforts by the State of Georgia, political subdivisions of the State, volunteer organizations, and private businesses, the cultural, historical, natural, and recreational resources of the area have not realized full potential and may be lost without assistance from the Federal Government; (9) the Secretary of the Interior considers this landmark to be threatened and has designated it a priority for protection; (10) many local, regional, and State agencies, businesses, and private citizens have expressed an overwhelming desire to combine forces to work cooperatively to preserve and enhance the resources of the Augusta Canal National Historic Landmark and better plan for its future; and (11) the Augusta Canal Authority, a public body established under the law of the State of Georgia, would be an appropriate management entity for a National Heritage Area established in the area of the Augusta Canal. SEC. 302. PURPOSE. It is the purpose of this title to provide a cooperative management framework to assist the State of Georgia, its units of local government, and area citizens in retaining, enhancing, and Georgia. orgi i US( 16 USC 461 note.
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