OPERATING COMMITTEES

for which the NPS has coordinating responsibility

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An operating committee is any committee established to perform primarily “operational” as opposed to “advisory” functions.  Operational functions are those specifically authorized by statute or Presidential directive, such as making or implementing Government decisions or policy.  A committee is designated operational so long as the operational functions it performs constitute the primary mission of the committee.  It may perform advisory functions as long as they are subordinate to the operational functions.  Operating committees are not, themselves, subject to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act; however, any advisory committees created by an operating committee would be subject to the Act.

 

The Secretary of the Interior has assigned to the National Park Service coordinating responsibilities for operating committees that have some connection to the NPS mission. Coordination is often carried out by NPS staff at the park or regional office level. The Office of Policy works closely with the park or region to process nominations for appointment by the Secretary and to prepare a charter under which the committee will function. Most of the operating committees that the NPS is responsible for take the form of commissions that have some degree of planning and management responsibilities for designated National Heritage Areas. Through its National Heritage Areas Program, the National Park Service provides technical assistance as well as financial assistance to National Heritage Areas for a limited number of years following designation.  More information about National Heritage Areas can be found at http://www.nps.gov/history/heritageareas/.

 

 Following is a list of current operating committees for which the NPS has coordinating responsibility.

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ALASKA REGION

None

 

 

INTERMOUNTAIN REGION

Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Utah

None

 

 

MIDWEST REGION

Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin

 

 

KEWEENAW NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK COMMISSION

The 7-member Commission was established by Section 9 of Public Law 102-543, October 27, 1992, as amended by Public Law 106-134, December 7, 1999 to advise the Secretary of the Interior in the preparation and implementation of a general management plan.  The Commission is expected to exist in the foreseeable future.  There is no statutory termination date for the Commission. Charter

 

 

OHIO AND ERIE CANAL NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR COMMITTEE

The 21-member Committee was established in 1996 by Public Law 104-333 to assist Federal, State and local authorities and the private sector in the preparation of an integrated Corridor Management Plan for the Ohio & Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor. The enabling legislation provides for continuation of the Commission into the foreseeable future, without termination.  Charter

 

 

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

District of Columbia (National Capital Region also administers several National Park System units in Maryland,

Virginia and West Virginia)

None

 

 

 

NORTHEAST REGION

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont

 

BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR COMMMISSION*

The 19-member Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission was established by Section 2 of Public Law 99-647 to assist Federal, State and local authorities in the development and implementation of an integrated resource management plan for lands and waters in the Blackstone River Corridor, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The Commission will terminate on October 12, 2011.

 

BOSTON HARBOR ISLANDS PARTNERSHIP

The 13-member Boston Harbor Islands Partnership was established by subsection 1029(e) of Public Law 104-333 to coordinate the activities of Federal, State, and local authorities and the private sector in the development and implementation of an integrated resource management plan for the recreation area.  Prior to adoption of the Plan, the Secretary and the Partnership will assist the owners and managers of lands and waters within the recreation area to ensure that existing programs, services, and activities that promote the National Recreation Area are supported.  The enabling legislation provides for continuation of the Partnership into the foreseeable future, without termination.  Charter

 

DELAWARE AND LEHIGH NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR COMMISSION

The 21-member Commission was established in 1988 by Public Law 100-692 to assist Federal, State and local authorities in the development and implementation of an integrated resource management plan for the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. The Commission terminate November 18, 2007.  The Commission is now managed by a non-profit. 

 

ERIE CANALWAY NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR COMMISSION

The 27-member Commission was established in 2000 by Public Law 106-554 to work with Federal, State and local authorities to develop and implement a comprehensive preservation and management Canalway Plan.  The Commission will terminate on December 21, 2010.  Charter

 

JAMESTOWN 400th COMMEMORATION COMMISSION

The 16-member Commission was established by Public Law 106-565, the Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission Act of 2000, December 23, 2000, to plan, develop, and execute programs and activities appropriate to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown.  The Commission will terminate on September 30, 2008.  Charter

 

SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION*

 

The 22-member Commission was established in 1988 by Public Law 100-698, as amended, to assist Federal, State, local authorities and the private sector to establish the means by which the cultural heritage of the 9-county region in southwestern Pennsylvania associated with the three basic industries of iron and steel, coal, and transportation may be recognized, preserved, promoted, interpreted, and made available for the benefit of the public.  The Commission will terminate on November 19, 2008.

 

 

 

PACIFIC WEST REGION

America Samoa, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington

None

 

 

 

SOUTHEAST REGION

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands

 

CANE RIVER NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA COMMISSION

The 19-member Commission was established in 1994 by Public Law 103-449 to assist in implementing provisions of the law which relate to the Cane River Creole National Historical Park and the Cane River National Heritage Area, and to provide guidance for the management of the Cane River National Heritage Area, Louisiana.   The Commission may terminate on August 5, 2005; or in accordance with of the law, the Commission may petition to be extended for a period of not more than 5 years beginning on August 5, 2010.  Charter

 

Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission

The 15-member Commission was established by Public Law 109, 338, to assist Federal, State, and local authorities in the development and implementation of a management plan providing guidance for conserving the significant cultural, historical, and natural resources of the Heritage Corridor; and providing educational and interpretive opportunities consistent with the purposes of the Heritage Corridor.  The Commission will terminate on October 12, 2016. Charter

 

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ COMMISSION

The 17-member Commission was established in 1994 by Public Law 103-433 to assist the National Park Service in implementing the purposes of Title XII of the law establishing the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, and in implementing the document entitled, “New Orleans Jazz Special Resource Study.”   The Commission is of indeterminate duration and is expected to continue at least as long as the New Orleans Jazz Park is administered as a part of the National Park System.  Charter

 

 

 

WASHINGTON OFFICE (WASO)

None