Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 5.djvu/744

 112 STAT. 3502 PUBLIC LAW 105-391—NOV. 13, 1998 "(A) those areas that have the greatest potential to meet the established criteria of national significance, suitability, and feasibility; "(B) themes, sites, and resources not already adequately represented in the National Park System; and "(C) public petition and Congressional resolutions. "(3) No study of the potential of an area for inclusion in the National Park System may be initiated after the date of enactment of this subsection, except as provided by specific authorization of an Act of Congress. "(4) Nothing in this Act shall limit the authority of the National Park Service to conduct preliminary resource assessments, gather data on potential study areas, provide technical and planning assistance, prepare or process nominations for administrative designations, update previous studies, or complete reconnaissance surveys of individual areas requiring a total expenditure of less than $25,000. "(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to or to affect or alter the study of any river segment for potential addition to the national wild and scenic rivers system or to apply to or to affect or alter the study of any trail for potential addition to the national trails system. "(c) REPORT.—(1) The Secretary shall complete the study for each area for potential inclusion in the National Park System within 3 complete fiscal years following the date on which funds are first made available for such purposes. Each study under this section shall be prepared with appropriate opportunity for public involvement, including at least one public meeting in the vicinity of the area under study, and after reasonable efforts to notify potentially affected landowners and State and local governments. "(2) In conducting the study, the Secretary shall consider whether the area under study— "(A) possesses nationally significant natural or cultural resources and represents one of the most important examples of a particular resource type in the country; and "(B) is a suitable and feasible addition to the system. "(3) Each study— "(A) shall consider the following factors with regard to the area being studied— "(i) the rarity and integrity of the resources; "(ii) the threats to those resources; "(iii) similar resources are already protected in the National Park System or in other public or private ownership; "(iv) the public use potential; "(v) the interpretive and educational potential; "(vi) costs associated with acquisition, development and operation; "(vii) the socioeconomic impacts of any designation; "(viii) the level of local and general public support; and "(ix) whether the area is of appropriate configuration to ensure long-term resource protection and visitor use; "(B) shall consider whether direct National Park Service management or alternative protection by other public agencies or the private sector is appropriate for the area;

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