Blue Ridge Heritage and Cultural Partnership Area Study Act of 2002

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a formal study to determine if a specific region in Western North Carolina should be designated as a National Heritage Area. The study evaluates whether the region’s unique cultural, historical, and natural resources—such as its musical traditions, Cherokee heritage, and agricultural history—meet federal criteria for preservation and promotion. If the study finds the area suitable, the designation could eventually lead to federal technical assistance and funding to support local tourism, historic preservation, and economic development.