Public Law 103-433, known also as the Delta Initiative, passed by Congress in 1994, directs the Secretary of the Interior to undertake a comprehensive program of heritage education studies within the Lower Mississippi Delta region. This diverse region is defined in the legislation as the Mississippi River lowlands and adjacent hill country in seven states: Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The primary goals of this legislation are to recommend methods for preserving and interpreting the heritage of the region and to enhance economic development through cultural tourism. The Southeast Archeological Center has assisted in these efforts by providing expertise in the development of resource studies, coordination with state and local agencies, and the production of education and public outreach materials.