We don’t have a summary available yet.
The summary below was written by the Congressional Research Service, which is a nonpartisan division of the Library of Congress, and was published on Feb 28, 1984.
(Measure passed House, amended) Title I: Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Act of 1984 - Establishes the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. Establishes the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Commission, which shall administer the corridor. Requires the Commission to: (1) assist the State of Illinois and nonprofit organizations in preservation, treatment, and renovation of canal structures; (2) assist Illinois in establishing and maintaining intermittent recreational trails which are compatible with economic development interests in the corridor; (3) encourage owners of property in or adjacent to the corridor to retain a strip of natural vegetation between recreational trails and development in the corridor; (4) assist in the preservation and enhancement of Natural Areas Inventory prepared by the Illinois Department of Conservation; (5) enhance public awareness and appreciation of the historical, architectural, and engineering structures and the archaeological and geological resources and sites in the corridor; (6) assist in the restoration of historic buildings in the corridor; (7) assist in the interpretation of the cultural and natural resources of the corridor; (8) assist in the promotion of the corridor resources; (9) encourage enhanced economic and industrial development in the corridor; and (10) ensure that access routes to the canal are identified and that corridor traffic is routed away from industrial access routes and sites. Authorizes the Commission to finance the installation of protective features in the corridor. Requires the Commission to encourage Illinois to ensure that owners and users of property in or adjacent to the corridor will not be subject to excessive liability in connection with activities which affect persons and property in the corridor. Requires the Commission to report annually on its activities to the Governor of Illinois and to the Secretary of the Interior. Sets forth restrictions on the development by the Commission of sites or structures in the corridor and trails along the canal or its towpath. Terminates the Commission ten years after the enactment of this Act. Permits the Commission to extend its own life under certain conditions. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct specified inventories; (2) develop a thematic structure for interpretation of the heritage corridor story; (3) design and make interpretative materials; (4) provide technical assistance to the Commission for the restoration of historic buildings in the corridor; (5) provide brochures on the tax advantages connected with the rehabilitation of historic structures in the corridor; and (6) detail to the Commission two Department of Interior employees. Directs Federal agencies whose activities affect the corridor to consult and cooperate with the Secretary and the Commission. Requires the United States to convey to Illinois by quitclaim deed all Federal interests in the Illinois and Michigan Canal lands. Provides that such property shall be used only for highway, park, recreational, and other public purposes. Permits such property to be leased for utility or transmission purposes if the revenues from such lease are used for park and recreation purposes within the corridor. Permits Illinois to continue leasing any portion of such property which was leased on or before February 9, 1984, so long as the revenues from such lease are used for park or recreational purposes within the corridor. Provides that private persons occupying any portion of such property may continue to occupy it with written permission from Illinois. Requires a reversion to the United States of the property conveyed to Illinois under this Act if such property ceases to be used in the manner required by this Act. Conditions the conveyance of property under this Act on Illinois' agreement to hold the United States harmless from claims arising from the operations of the lands so conveyed due to conditions existing at the time of the conveyance. Permits the conveyance of interests in the canal prism and towpath lands necessary for the operation and maintenance of the Illinois Waterway navigation project only with the concurrence of the Secretary of the Army. Authorizes appropriations to the Commission and the Secretary. Title II: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Amendments Act of 1984 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to designate for addition to the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in Illinois up to 350 acres in the city of East Saint Louis. Requires the Secretary to develop and transmit to Congress a general management plan for the Memorial. Establishes the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Advisory Commission which shall: (1) advise the Secretary on the development and operation of the Memorial; (2) identify needs and opportunities for the esthetic and economic rehabilitation of the entire East Saint Louis waterfront and adjacent areas in a manner compatible with the Memorial; and (3) prepare cost estimates and recommendations for Federal, State, and local administrative and legislative actions. Provides that the Commission's findings and recommendations shall be incorporated in a report to the Secretary, the Governor of Illinois, the Governor of Missouri, and Congress. Terminates the Commission ten years after the enactment of this Act, unless the Commission determines that an extension is necessary in order for it to carry out its duties. Directs Federal agencies whose activities affect East Saint Louis to consult and cooperate with the Secretary and the Commission. Authorizes appropriations for the acquisition of the land to be added to the Memorial and for the development of visitor facilities.
