[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 659 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
H.R.659
One Hundred Sixth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
the sixth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine
An Act
To authorize appropriations for the protection of Paoli and Brandywine
Battlefields in Pennsylvania, to authorize the Valley Forge Museum of
the American Revolution at Valley Forge National Historical Park, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Pennsylvania Battlefields Protection
Act of 1999''.
TITLE I--PAOLI AND BRANDYWINE BATTLEFIELDS
SEC. 101. PAOLI BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION.
(a) Paoli Battlefield.--The Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter
referred to as the ``Secretary'') is authorized to provide funds to the
borough of Malvern, Pennsylvania, for the acquisition of the area known
as the ``Paoli Battlefield'', located in the borough of Malvern,
Pennsylvania, as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Paoli
Battlefield'' numbered 80,000 and dated April 1999 (referred to in this
title as the ``Paoli Battlefield''). The map shall be on file and
available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the
National Park Service.
(b) Cooperative Agreement and Technical Assistance.--The Secretary
shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the borough of Malvern,
Pennsylvania, for the management by the borough of the Paoli
Battlefield. The Secretary may provide technical assistance to the
borough of Malvern to assure the preservation and interpretation of the
Paoli Battlefield's resources.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $1,250,000 to carry out this section. Such funds shall be
expended in the ratio of one dollar of Federal funds for each dollar of
funds contributed by non-Federal sources. Any funds provided by the
Secretary shall be subject to an agreement that provides for the
protection of the Paoli Battlefield's resources.
SEC. 102. BRANDYWINE BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION.
(a) Brandywine Battlefield.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to provide funds
to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a political subdivision of the
Commonwealth, or the Brandywine Conservancy, for the acquisition,
protection, and preservation of land in an area generally known as
the Meetinghouse Road Corridor, located in Chester County,
Pennsylvania, as depicted on a map entitled ``Brandywine
Battlefield--Meetinghouse Road Corridor'', numbered 80,000 and
dated April 1999 (referred to in this title as the ``Brandywine
Battlefield''). The map shall be on file and available for public
inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
(2) Willing sellers or donors.--Lands and interests in land may
be acquired pursuant to this section only with the consent of the
owner thereof.
(b) Cooperative Agreement and Technical Assistance.--The Secretary
shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the same entity that is
provided funds under subsection (a) for the management by the entity of
the Brandywine Battlefield. The Secretary may also provide technical
assistance to the entity to assure the preservation and interpretation
of the Brandywine Battlefield's resources.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $3,000,000 to carry out this section. Such funds shall be
expended in the ratio of one dollar of Federal funds for each dollar of
funds contributed by non-Federal sources. Any funds provided by the
Secretary shall be subject to an agreement that provides for the
protection of the Brandywine Battlefield's resources.
TITLE II--VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
SEC. 201. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this title is to authorize the Secretary of the
Interior to enter into an agreement with the Valley Forge Historical
Society (hereinafter referred to as the ``Society''), to construct and
operate a museum within the boundary of Valley Forge National
Historical Park in cooperation with the Secretary.
SEC. 202. VALLEY FORGE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AUTHORIZATION.
(a) Agreement Authorized.--The Secretary of the Interior, in
administering the Valley Forge National Historical Park, is authorized
to enter into an agreement under appropriate terms and conditions with
the Society to facilitate the planning, construction, and operation of
the Valley Forge Museum of the American Revolution on Federal land
within the boundary of Valley Forge National Historical Park.
(b) Contents and Implementation of Agreement.--An agreement entered
into under subsection (a) shall--
(1) authorize the Society to develop and operate the museum
pursuant to plans developed by the Secretary and to provide at the
museum appropriate and necessary programs and services to visitors
to Valley Forge National Historical Park related to the story of
Valley Forge and the American Revolution;
(2) only be carried out in a manner consistent with the General
Management Plan and other plans for the preservation and
interpretation of the resources and values of Valley Forge National
Historical Park;
(3) authorize the Secretary to undertake at the museum
activities related to the management of Valley Forge National
Historical Park, including, but not limited to, provision of
appropriate visitor information and interpretive facilities and
programs related to Valley Forge National Historical Park;
(4) authorize the Society, acting as a private nonprofit
organization, to engage in activities appropriate for operation of
the museum that may include, but are not limited to, charging
appropriate fees, conducting events, and selling merchandise,
tickets, and food to visitors to the museum;
(5) provide that the Society's revenues from the museum's
facilities and services shall be used to offset the expenses of the
museum's operation; and
(6) authorize the Society to occupy the museum so constructed
for the term specified in the Agreement and subject to the
following terms and conditions:
(A) The conveyance by the Society to the United States of
all right, title, and interest in the museum to be constructed
at Valley Forge National Historical Park.
(B) The Society's right to occupy and use the museum shall
be for the exhibition, preservation, and interpretation of
artifacts associated with the Valley Forge story and the
American Revolution, to enhance the visitor experience of
Valley Forge National Historical Park, and to conduct
appropriately related activities of the Society consistent with
its mission and with the purposes for which the Valley Forge
National Historical Park was established. Such right shall not
be transferred or conveyed without the express consent of the
Secretary.
(C) Any other terms and conditions the Secretary determines
to be necessary.
SEC. 203. PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION.
Nothing in this title authorizes the Secretary or the Society to
take any actions in derogation of the preservation and protection of
the values and resources of Valley Forge National Historical Park. An
agreement entered into under section 202 shall be construed and
implemented in light of the high public value and integrity of the
Valley Forge National Historical Park and the National Park System.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.