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S 2485106th CongressSigned into LawSenate

Saint Croix Island Heritage Act

Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
View on Congress.gov
Origin Chamber
Senate
Last Updated
Mar 24, 2026
Latest Action Date
Nov 22, 2000

Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 106-529.

Official Summary

Saint Croix Island Heritage Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance in planning, constructing, and operating a regional heritage center in downtown Calais, Maine, to facilitate the management and interpretation of the Saint Croix Island International Historic Site. Allows the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with State and local agencies and nonprofit organizations to carry out this Act.Authorizes appropriations.

GovScope Watchdog™

AI Government Intelligence™
Executive Summary

The Saint Croix Island Heritage Act requires the Secretary of the Interior to assist in planning, constructing, and operating a regional heritage center in downtown Calais, Maine. This center is intended to support the management and interpretation of the Saint Croix Island International Historic Site. The Act authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with state and local agencies and nonprofit organizations to implement these activities and authorizes appropriations to fund the efforts.

Bottom Line

This law establishes federal support for a heritage center in Maine to enhance the preservation and public understanding of the Saint Croix Island International Historic Site through partnerships and authorized funding.

Policy Risk Level
🟢 Low
Neutral Risk Assessment
Key Points
  • Mandates the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance for a heritage center in Calais, Maine.
  • Allows cooperative agreements with state, local, and nonprofit entities to carry out the Act.
  • Authorizes federal appropriations to support planning, construction, and operation of the heritage center.
Who Benefits?

['U.S. Department of the Interior', 'State and local government agencies in Maine', 'Nonprofit organizations involved in historic preservation', 'Residents and visitors to Calais, Maine', 'Stakeholders in the Saint Croix Island International Historic Site']

Potential Concerns

['The bill authorizes appropriations but does not specify funding levels, which may affect implementation scope.', 'Cooperative agreements require coordination among multiple entities, which could present administrative challenges.', 'Ongoing operational costs and maintenance responsibilities may require sustained federal and local commitment.']

Political Context

The bill was introduced and passed during the 106th Congress and was signed into law on November 22, 2000. It falls within the policy area of Public Lands and Natural Resources, reflecting federal interest in historic preservation and regional heritage development. The legislation reflects a collaborative approach involving federal, state, and local partners.

Hidden Impact Review

Hidden impact flags detected: 2

GovScope reviewed 2 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.

2 Detected
Detected Flags
Indirect Effects

['Enhanced tourism and economic activity in Calais, Maine, due to increased heritage site visibility.', 'Strengthened partnerships between federal, state, and local agencies and nonprofits in historic preservation.', 'Potential increased public awareness and education about the Saint Croix Island International Historic Site.']

GovScope Watchdog Notes

Transparency considerations include monitoring the allocation and use of authorized appropriations and ensuring clear reporting on cooperative agreements and operational activities. Oversight should focus on the effectiveness of interagency collaboration and the long-term sustainability of the heritage center.

Passage Likelihood: HighConfidence: 95%Model: gpt-4.1-mini

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