1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area Act . 2. Findings; purposes (a) Findings Congress finds that— (1) the Heritage Area— (A) is comprised of 18 counties that are located in West Virginia and western Maryland; and (B) taken as a whole— (i) possesses exceptional cultural, natural, and historical resources that form a cohesive and nationally distinctive landscape; (ii) demonstrates landscapes that arose from patterns of human activity that were shaped by the geography of the forested central Appalachian Mountains; and (iii) reflects both modern and historical uses by citizens who continue to affect, and be affected by, the landscape of the forest; (2) there is a national interest in protecting, conserving, restoring, promoting, and interpreting the benefits of the Heritage Area for— (A) the residents of the Heritage Area; and (B) visitors to the Heritage Area; (3) nationally significant historical and cultural resources located in the Heritage Area form a unique aspect of the heritage of the United States; (4) with respect to the economic development of the United States— (A) the timber harvesting activities in the region helped fuel late 19th century and early 20th century industrial growth throughout the United States; and (B) prominent industrialists of the region were also active in the national economy; (5) workers who participated in the timber boom of the region brought a blending of cultures of European and African-American immigrants; (6) the growth of each community located in the region was impacted by the forested central Appalachian Mountains; (7) the rich culture of central Appalachia— (A) includes folklife, music, dance, crafts, and other culturally rich traditions; and (B) is inextricably tied to the forest land of the region