[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2623 Reported in Senate (RS)]






                                                       Calendar No. 650
107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2623

  To designate the Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation 
National Historical Park as a unit of the National Park System, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 13, 2002

 Mr. Warner (for himself and Mr. Allen) introduced the following bill; 
   which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                           Natural Resources

                            October 8, 2002

  Reported by Mr. Bingaman, with an amendment and an amendment to the 
                                 title
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To designate the Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation 
National Historical Park as a unit of the National Park System, and for 
                            other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Cedar Creek Battlefield and 
Belle Grove Plantation National Historical Park Act''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. PURPOSE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The purpose of this Act is to establish the Cedar Creek 
Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation National Historical Park in 
order to--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) help preserve, protect, and interpret a 
        nationally significant Civil War landscape and antebellum 
        plantation for the education, inspiration, and benefit of 
        present and future generations;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) serve as a focal point to recognize and 
        interpret important events and geographic locations 
        representing key Civil War battles in the Shenandoah Valley, 
        including those battlefields associated with the Thomas J. 
        (Stonewall) Jackson campaign of 1862 and the decisive campaigns 
        of 1864;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) tell the rich story of the Battle of Cedar 
        Creek and its significance in the conduct of the war in the 
        Shenandoah Valley; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) preserve the significant historic, natural, 
        cultural, military, and scenic resources found in the Cedar 
        Creek Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation areas through 
        partnerships with local landowners and the community.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. FINDINGS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Congress finds the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) The Battle of Cedar Creek, also known as the 
        battle of Belle Grove, was a major event of the Civil War and 
        the history of this country. It represented the end of the 
        Civil War's Shenandoah Valley campaign of 1864 and contributed 
        to the reelection of President Abraham Lincoln and the eventual 
        outcome of the war.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) 2,500 acres of the Cedar Creek Battlefield and 
        Belle Grove Plantation were designated a national historic 
        landmark in 1969 because of their ability to illustrate and 
        interpret important eras and events in the history of the 
        United States. The Cedar Creek Battlefield, Belle Grove Manor 
        House, the Heater House, and Harmony Hall (a National Historic 
        Landmark) are also listed on the Virginia Landmarks 
        Register.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) The Secretary of the Interior has approved the 
        Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District 
        Management Plan, September 2000, which preserves the District's 
        historic character, and protects and interprets 10 significant 
        Civil War battlefields within the District, including the Cedar 
        Creek battlefield.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National 
        Historic District Management Plan and the National Park Service 
        Special Resource Study recognize the Cedar Creek battlefield as 
        the most significant Civil War resource within the Historic 
        District.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National 
        Historic District Management Plan, which was developed with 
        extensive public participation over a 3-year period and is 
        administered by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, 
        recommends that Cedar Creek Battlefield be established as a new 
        unit of the National Park System to provide permanent 
        protection for the battlefield and to serve as the central site 
        to increase the public's education and awareness of the War's 
        legacy throughout the Historic District.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) The Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, 
        organized in 1988 to preserve and interpret the Cedar Creek 
        Battlefield and the 1864 Valley Campaign, has acquired 308 
        acres of land within the boundaries of the National Historic 
        Landmark. The foundation annually hosts a major reenactment and 
        living history event on the Cedar Creek Battlefield.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) Belle Grove Plantation is a Historic Site of 
        the National Trust for Historic Preservation that occupies 383 
        acres within the National Historic Landmark. The Belle Grove 
        Manor House was built by Isaac Hite, a Revolutionary War 
        patriot married to the sister of President James Madison, who 
        was a frequent visitor at Belle Grove. President Thomas 
        Jefferson assisted with the design of the house. During the 
        Civil War Belle Grove was at the center of the decisive battle 
        of Cedar Creek. Belle Grove is managed locally by Belle Grove, 
        Incorporated, and has been open to the public since 1967. The 
        house has remained virtually unchanged since it was built in 
        1797, offering visitors an experience of the life and times of 
        the people who lived there in the 18th and 19th 
        centuries.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) The panoramic views of the mountains, natural 
        areas, and waterways provide visitors with an inspiring setting 
        of great natural beauty. The historic, natural, cultural, 
        military, and scenic resources found in the Cedar Creek 
        Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation areas are nationally and 
        regionally significant.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) The existing, independent, not-for-profit 
        organizations dedicated to the protection and interpretation of 
        the resources described above provide the foundation for 
        public-private partnerships to further the success of 
        protecting, preserving, and interpreting these 
        resources.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (10) None of these resources, sites, or stories of 
        the Shenandoah Valley are protected by or interpreted within 
        the National Park System.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    In this Act:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the 
        Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation National 
        Historical Park Advisory Commission established by section 
        9.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled 
        ``Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation National 
        Historic Park'', numbered CECR-80,000, and dated June 12, 
        2002.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Park.--The term ``Park'' means the Cedar Creek 
        Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation National Historical Park 
        established under section 5 and depicted on the Map.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
        Secretary of the Interior.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF CEDAR CREEK BATTLEFIELD AND BELLE 
              GROVE PLANTATION NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Establishment.--There is established the Cedar Creek 
Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation National Historical Park, 
consisting of approximately 3,000 acres, as generally depicted on the 
Map.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Availability of Map.--The Map shall be on file and 
available for public inspection in the offices of the National Park 
Service of the Department of the Interior.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 6. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Real Property.--The Secretary may acquire land or 
interests in land within the boundaries of the Park, from willing 
sellers only, by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, 
or exchange.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Boundary Revision.--After acquiring land for the Park, 
the Secretary shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) revise the boundary map of the Park to include 
        newly acquired land within the boundary; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) administer newly acquired land subject to 
        applicable laws (including regulations).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Personal Property.--The Secretary may acquire personal 
property associated with, and appropriate for, interpretation of the 
Park.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Conservation Easements and Covenants.--The Secretary 
is authorized to acquire conservation easements and enter into 
covenants regarding lands in or adjacent to the Park from willing 
sellers only. Such conservation easements and covenants shall have the 
effect of protecting the scenic, natural, and historic resources on 
adjacent lands and preserving the natural or historic setting of the 
park when viewed from within or outside the Park.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Support Facilities.--The National Park Service is 
authorized to acquire from willing sellers up to 50 acres of land 
outside the park boundary, but in close proximity to the park, to 
develop facilities for one or more of the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Visitors.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Administrative functions.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Museums.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Curatorial functions.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Maintenance.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The Secretary shall administer the Park in accordance with 
this Act and the provisions of law generally applicable to units of the 
National Park System, including--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the Act entitled ``An Act to establish a 
        National Park Service, and for other purposes'', approved 
        August 25, 1916 (16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for the 
        preservation of historic American sites, buildings, objects, 
        and antiquities of national significance, and for other 
        purposes'', approved August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et 
        seq.).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 8. MANAGEMENT OF PARK.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Management Plan.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
the Commission, shall prepare a management plan for the Park. In 
particular, the management plan shall contain provisions to address the 
needs of owners of non-Federal land, including independent nonprofit 
organizations within the boundaries of the Park.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Submission of Plan to Congress.--Not later than 3 
years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
submit the management plan for the Park to Congress.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 9. CEDAR CREEK BATTLEFIELD AND BELLE GROVE PLANTATION 
              NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ADVISORY COMMISSION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Establishment.--There is established the Cedar Creek 
Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation National Historical Park 
Advisory Commission.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Duties.--The Commission shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) advise the Secretary in the preparation and 
        implementation of a general management plan described in 
        section 8; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) advise the Secretary with respect to the 
        identification of sites of significance outside the Park 
        boundary deemed necessary to fulfill the purposes of this 
        Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Membership.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed 
        of 15 members appointed by the Secretary so as to include the 
        following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) 1 representative from the Commonwealth 
                of Virginia.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) 1 representative each from the local 
                governments of Strasburg, Middletown, Frederick County, 
                Shenandoah County, and Warren County.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) 2 representatives of private 
                landowners within the Park.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) 1 representative from a citizen 
                interest group.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) 1 representative from the Cedar Creek 
                Battlefield Foundation.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) 1 representative from Belle Grove, 
                Incorporated.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (G) 1 representative from the National 
                Trust for Historic Preservation.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (H) 1 representative from the Shenandoah 
                Valley Battlefields Foundation.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (I) 1 ex-officio representative from the 
                National Park Service.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (J) 1 ex-officio representative from the 
                United States Forest Service.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the 
        Commission shall be elected by the members to serve a term of 
        one year renewable for one additional year.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission shall 
        be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment 
        was made.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Terms of service.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Each member shall be 
                appointed for a term of 3 years and may be reappointed 
                for not more than 2 successive terms.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Initial members.--Of the members first 
                appointed under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
                appoint--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) 4 members for a term of 1 
                        year;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) 5 members for a term of 2 
                        years; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) 6 members for a term of 3 
                        years.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Extended service.--A member may serve after 
        the expiration of that member's term until a successor has 
        taken office.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) Majority rule.--The Commission shall act and 
        advise by affirmative vote for a majority of its 
        members.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at least 
        quarterly at the call of the chairperson or a majority of the 
        members of the Commission.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) Quorum.--8 members shall constitute a 
        quorum.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Compensation.--Members shall serve without pay. 
Members who are full-time officers or employees of the United States, 
the Commonwealth of Virginia, or any political subdivision thereof 
shall receive no additional pay on account of their service on the 
Commission.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Hearings; Public Involvement.--The Commission may, for 
purposes of carrying out this Act, hold such hearings, sit and act at 
such times and places, take such public testimony, and receive such 
evidence, as the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission may 
not issue subpoenas or exercise any subpoena authority.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) FACA Nonapplicability.--The Federal Advisory Committee 
Act shall not apply to the Commission.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 10. CONSERVATION OF CEDAR CREEK BATTLEFIELD AND BELLE 
              GROVE PLANTATION NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Encouragement of Conservation.--The Secretary and the 
Commission shall encourage conservation of the historic and natural 
resources within and in proximity of the Park by landowners, local 
governments, organizations, and businesses.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Provision of Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may 
provide technical assistance to local governments, in cooperative 
efforts which complement the values of the Park.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Cooperation by Federal Agencies.--Any Federal entity 
conducting or supporting activities directly affecting the Park shall 
consult, cooperate, and, to the maximum extent practicable, coordinate 
its activities with the Secretary in a manner that--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) is consistent with the purposes of this Act 
        and the standards and criteria established pursuant to the 
        general management plan developed pursuant to section 
        8;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) is not likely to have an adverse effect on the 
        resources of the Park; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) is likely to provide for full public 
        participation in order to consider the views of all interested 
        parties.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 11. ENDOWMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--In accordance with the provisions of 
subsection (b), the Secretary is authorized to receive and expend funds 
from an endowment to be established with the National Park Foundation, 
or its successors and assigns.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Conditions.--Funds from the endowment referred to in 
subsection (a) shall be expended exclusively as the Secretary, in 
consultation with the Commission, may designate for the interpretation, 
preservation, and maintenance of the Park resources and public access 
areas. No expenditure shall be made pursuant to this section unless the 
Secretary determines that such an expenditure is consistent with the 
purposes of this Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 12. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--In order to further the purposes of this 
Act, the Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements 
with interested public and private entities and individuals (including 
the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Belle Grove, Inc., the 
Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields 
Foundation, and the Counties of Frederick, Shenandoah, and Warren), 
through technical and financial assistance, including encouraging the 
conservation of historic and natural resources within and near the 
Park.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Technical and Financial Assistance.--The Secretary may 
provide to any person, organization, or governmental entity technical 
and financial assistance for the purposes of this Act, including the 
following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Preserving historic structures within the 
        Park.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Maintaining the natural or cultural landscape 
        of the Park.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Local preservation planning, interpretation, 
        and management of public visitation for the Park.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Furthering the goals of the Shenandoah Valley 
        Battlefields Foundation and National Historic District 
        Management Plan.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 13. ROLES OF KEY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--In recognition that central portions of 
the Park are presently owned and operated for the benefit of the public 
by key partner organizations, the Secretary shall acknowledge and 
support the continued participation of these partner organizations in 
the management of the Park.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Park Partners.--Roles of the current key partners 
include the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Cedar creek battlefield foundation.--The Cedar 
        Creek Battlefield Foundation may--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) continue to own, operate, and manage 
                the lands acquired by the Foundation within the 
                Park;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) continue to conduct reenactments and 
                other events within the Park; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) transfer ownership interest in 
                portions of their land to the National Park Service by 
                donation, sale, or other means that meet the legal 
                requirements of National Park Service land 
                acquisitions.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) National trust for historic preservation and 
        belle grove incorporated.--The National Trust for Historic 
        Preservation and Bell Grove Incorporated may continue to own, 
        operate, and manage Belle Grove Plantation and its structures 
        and grounds within the Park boundary. Belle Grove Incorporated 
        may continue to own the house and grounds known as Bowman's 
        Fort or Harmony Hall for the purpose of permanent preservation, 
        with a long-term goal of opening the property to the 
        public.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Shenandoah county.--Shenandoah County may 
        continue to own, operate, and manage the Keister park site 
        within the Park for the benefit of the public.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Gateway communities.--The adjacent historic 
        towns of Strasburg and Middletown shall be acknowledged as 
        Gateway Communities to the Park.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Shenandoah valley battlefields foundation.--
        The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation may continue to 
        administer and manage the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields 
        National Historic District in partnership with the National 
        Park Service and in accordance with the Management Plan for the 
        District in which the Park is located.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 14. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
necessary to carry out this Act.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National 
Historical Park Act''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is to establish the Cedar Creek and Belle 
Grove National Historical Park in order to--
            (1) help preserve, protect, and interpret a nationally 
        significant Civil War landscape and ante-bellum plantation for 
        the education, inspiration, and benefit of present and future 
        generations;
            (2) tell the rich story of Shenandoah Valley history from 
        early settlement through the Civil War and beyond, and the 
        Battle of Cedar Creek and its significance in the conduct of 
        the war in the Shenandoah Valley;
            (3) preserve the significant historic, natural, cultural, 
        military, and scenic resources found in the Cedar Creek 
        Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation areas through 
        partnerships with local landowners and the community; and
            (4) serve as a focal point to recognize and interpret 
        important events and geographic locations within the Shenandoah 
        Valley Battlefields National Historic District representing key 
        Civil War battles in the Shenandoah Valley, including those 
        battlefields associated with the Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson 
        campaign of 1862 and the decisive campaigns of 1864.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Battle of Cedar Creek, also known as the battle of 
        Belle Grove, was a major event of the Civil War and the history 
        of this country. It represented the end of the Civil War's 
        Shenandoah Valley campaign of 1864 and contributed to the 
        reelection of President Abraham Lincoln and the eventual 
        outcome of the war.
            (2) 2,500 acres of the Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle 
        Grove Plantation were designated a national historic landmark 
        in 1969 because of their ability to illustrate and interpret 
        important eras and events in the history of the United States. 
        The Cedar Creek Battlefield, Belle Grove Manor House, the 
        Heater House, and Harmony Hall (a National Historic Landmark) 
        are also listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register.
            (3) The Secretary of the Interior has approved the 
        Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District 
        Management Plan and the National Park Service Special Resource 
        Study, both of which recognized Cedar Creek Battlefield as the 
        most significant Civil War resource within the historic 
        district. The management plan, which was developed with 
        extensive public participation over a 3-year period and is 
        administered by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, 
        recommends that Cedar Creek Battlefield be established as a new 
        unit of the National Park System.
            (4) The Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, organized in 
        1988 to preserve and interpret the Cedar Creek Battlefield and 
        the 1864 Valley Campaign, has acquired 308 acres of land within 
the boundaries of the National Historic Landmark. The foundation 
annually hosts a major re-enactment and living history event on the 
Cedar Creek Battlefield.
            (5) Belle Grove Plantation is a Historic Site of the 
        National Trust for Historic Preservation that occupies 383 
        acres within the National Historic Landmark. The Belle Grove 
        Manor House was built by Isaac Hite, a Revolutionary War 
        patriot married to the sister of President James Madison, who 
        was a frequent visitor at Belle Grove. President Thomas 
        Jefferson assisted with the design of the house. During the 
        Civil War Belle Grove was at the center of the decisive battle 
        of Cedar Creek. Belle Grove is managed locally by Belle Grove, 
        Incorporated, and has been open to the public since 1967. The 
        house has remained virtually unchanged since it was built in 
        1797, offering visitors an experience of the life and times of 
        the people who lived there in the 18th and 19th centuries.
            (6) The panoramic views of the mountains, natural areas, 
        and waterways provide visitors with an inspiring setting of 
        great natural beauty. The historic, natural, cultural, 
        military, and scenic resources found in the Cedar Creek 
        Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation areas are nationally and 
        regionally significant.
            (7) The existing, independent, not-for-profit organizations 
        dedicated to the protection and interpretation of the resources 
        described above provide the foundation for public-private 
        partnerships to further the success of protecting, preserving, 
        and interpreting these resources.
            (8) None of these resources, sites, or stories of the 
        Shenandoah Valley are protected by or interpreted within the 
        National Park System.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Cedar 
        Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Advisory 
        Commission established by section 9.
            (2) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled 
        ``Boundary Map Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical 
        Park'', numbered CEBE-80,001, and dated September 2002.
            (3) Park.--The term ``Park'' means the Cedar Creek and 
        Belle Grove National Historical Park established under section 
        5 and depicted on the Map.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.

SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF CEDAR CREEK AND BELLE GROVE NATIONAL 
              HISTORICAL PARK.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established the Cedar Creek and Belle 
Grove National Historical Park, consisting of approximately 3,000 
acres, as generally depicted on the Map.
    (b) Availability of Map.--The Map shall be on file and available 
for public inspection in the offices of the National Park Service, 
Department of the Interior.

SEC. 6. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY.

    (a) Real Property.--The Secretary may acquire land or interests in 
land within the boundaries of the Park, from willing sellers only, by 
donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange.
    (b) Boundary Revision.--After acquiring land for the Park, the 
Secretary shall--
            (1) revise the boundary of the Park to include newly 
        acquired land within the boundary; and
            (2) administer newly acquired land subject to applicable 
        laws (including regulations).
    (c) Personal Property.--The Secretary may acquire personal property 
associated with, and appropriate for, interpretation of the Park.
    (d) Conservation Easements and Covenants.--The Secretary is 
authorized to acquire conservation easements and enter into covenants 
regarding lands in or adjacent to the Park from willing sellers only. 
Such conservation easements and covenants shall have the effect of 
protecting the scenic, natural, and historic resources on adjacent 
lands and preserving the natural or historic setting of the Park when 
viewed from within or outside the Park.
    (e) Support Facilities.--The National Park Service is authorized to 
acquire from willing sellers, land outside the Park boundary but in 
close proximity to the Park, for the development of visitor, 
administrative, museum, curatorial, and maintenance facilities.

SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION.

    The Secretary shall administer the Park in accordance with this Act 
and the provisions of law generally applicable to units of the National 
Park System, including--
            (1) the Act entitled ``An Act to establish a National Park 
        Service, and for other purposes'', approved August 25, 1916 (16 
        U.S.C. 1 et seq.); and
            (2) the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for the 
        preservation of historic American sites, buildings, objects, 
        and antiquities of national significance, and for other 
        purposes'', approved August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.).

SEC. 8. MANAGEMENT OF PARK.

    (a) Management Plan.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Commission, shall prepare a management plan for the Park. In 
particular, the management plan shall contain provisions to address the 
needs of owners of non-Federal land, including independent nonprofit 
organizations within the boundaries of the Park.
    (b) Submission of Plan to Congress.--Not later than 3 years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit the 
management plan for the Park to the Committee on Resources of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
the Senate.

SEC. 9. CEDAR CREEK AND BELLE GROVE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ADVISORY 
              COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established the Cedar Creek and Belle 
Grove National Historical Park Advisory Commission.
    (b) Duties.--The Commission shall--
            (1) advise the Secretary in the preparation and 
        implementation of a general management plan described in 
        section 8; and
            (2) advise the Secretary with respect to the identification 
        of sites of significance outside the Park boundary deemed 
        necessary to fulfill the purposes of this Act.
    (c) Membership.--
            (1) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 15 
        members appointed by the Secretary so as to include the 
        following:
                    (A) 1 representative from the Commonwealth of 
                Virginia.
                    (B) 1 representative each from the local 20 
                governments of Strasburg, Middletown, Frederick County, 
                Shenandoah County, and Warren County.
                    (C) 2 representatives of private landowners within 
                the Park.
                    (D) 1 representative from a citizen interest group.
                    (E) 1 representative from the Cedar Creek 
                Battlefield Foundation.
                    (F) 1 representative from Belle Grove, 
                Incorporated.
                    (G) 1 representative from the National Trust for 
                Historic Preservation.
                    (H) 1 representative from the Shenandoah Valley 
                Battlefields Foundation.
                    (I) 1 ex-officio representative from the National 
                Park Service.
                    (J) 1 ex-officio representative from the United 
                States Forest Service.
            (2) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Commission shall 
        be elected by the members to serve a term of one year renewable 
        for one additional year.
            (3) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled 
        in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
            (4) Terms of service.--
                    (A) In general.--Each member shall be appointed for 
                a term of 3 years and may be reappointed for not more 
                than 2 successive terms.
                    (B) Initial members.--Of the members first 
                appointed under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
                appoint--
                            (i) 4 members for a term of 1 year;
                            (ii) 5 members for a term of 2 years; and
                            (iii) 6 members for a term of 3 years.
            (5) Extended service.--A member may serve after the 
        expiration of that member's term until a successor has taken 
        office.
            (6) Majority rule.--The Commission shall act and advise by 
        affirmative vote of a majority of its members.
            (7) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at least quarterly 
        at the call of the chairperson or a majority of the members of 
        the Commission.
            (8) Quorum.--8 members shall constitute a quorum.
    (d) Compensation.--Members shall serve without pay. Members who are 
full-time officers or employees of the United States, the Commonwealth 
of Virginia, or any political subdivision thereof shall receive no 
additional pay on account of their service on the Commission.
    (e) Travel Expenses.--While away from their homes or regular places 
of business in the performance of service for the Commission, members 
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed intermittently in 
the Government service are allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 
5, United States Code.
    (f) Hearings; Public Involvement.--The Commission may, for purposes 
of carrying out this Act, hold such hearings, sit and act at such times 
and places, take such public testimony, and receive such evidence, as 
the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission may not issue 
subpoenas or exercise any subpoena authority.

SEC. 10. CONSERVATION OF CEDAR CREEK AND BELLE GROVE NATIONAL 
              HISTORICAL PARK.

    (a) Encouragement of Conservation.--The Secretary and the 
Commission shall encourage conservation of the historic and natural 
resources within and in proximity of the Park by landowners, local 
governments, organizations, and businesses.
    (b) Provision of Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide 
technical assistance to local governments, in cooperative efforts which 
complement the values of the Park.
    (c) Cooperation by Federal Agencies.--Any Federal entity conducting 
or supporting activities directly affecting the Park shall consult, 
cooperate, and, to the maximum extent practicable, coordinate its 
activities with the Secretary in a manner that--
            (1) is consistent with the purposes of this Act and the 
        standards and criteria established pursuant to the general 
        management plan developed pursuant to section 8;
            (2) is not likely to have an adverse effect on the 
        resources of the Park; and
            (3) is likely to provide for full public participation in 
        order to consider the views of all interested parties.

SEC. 11. ENDOWMENT.

    (a) In General.--In accordance with the provisions of subsection 
(b), the Secretary is authorized to receive and expend funds from an 
endowment to be established with the National Park Foundation, or its 
successors and assigns.
    (b) Conditions.--Funds from the endowment referred to in subsection 
(a) shall be expended exclusively as the Secretary, in consultation 
with the Commission, may designate for the interpretation, 
preservation, and maintenance of the Park resources and public access 
areas. No expenditure shall be made pursuant to this section unless the 
Secretary determines that such expenditure is consistent with the 
purposes of this Act.

SEC. 12. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.

    (a) In General.--In order to further the purposes of this Act, the 
Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with 
interested public and private entities and individuals (including the 
National Trust for Historic Preservation, Belle Grove, Inc., the Cedar 
Creek Battlefield Foundation, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields 
Foundation, and the Counties of Frederick, Shenandoah, and Warren), 
through technical and financial assistance, including encouraging the 
conservation of historic and natural resources of the Park.
    (b) Technical and Financial Assistance.--The Secretary may provide 
to any person, organization, or governmental entity technical and 
financial assistance for the purposes of this Act, including the 
following:
            (1) Preserving historic structures within the Park.
            (2) Maintaining the natural or cultural landscape of the 
        Park.
            (3) Local preservation planning, interpretation, and 
        management of public visitation for the Park.
            (4) Furthering the goals of the Shenandoah Valley 
        Battlefields Foundation related to the Park.

SEC. 13. ROLES OF KEY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS.

    (a) In General.--In recognition that central portions of the Park 
are presently owned and operated for the benefit of the public by key 
partner organizations, the Secretary shall acknowledge and support the 
continued participation of these partner organizations in the 
management of the Park.
    (b) Park Partners.--Roles of the current key partners include the 
following:
            (1) Cedar creek battlefield foundation.--The Cedar Creek 
        Battlefield Foundation may--
                    (A) continue to own, operate, and manage the lands 
                acquired by the Foundation with the Park;
                    (B) continue to conduct re-enactments and other 
                events within the Park; and
                    (C) transfer ownership interest in portions of 
                their land to the National Park Service by donation, 
                sale, or other means that meet the legal requirements 
                of National Park Service land acquisitions.
            (2) National trust for historic preservation and belle 
        grove incorporated.--The National Trust for Historic 
        Preservation and Belle Grove Incorporated may continue to own, 
        operate, and manage Belle Grove Plantation and its structures 
        and grounds within the Park boundary. Belle Grove Incorporated 
        may continue to own the house and grounds known as Bowman's 
        Fort or Harmony Hall for the purpose of permanent preservation, 
        with a long-term goal of opening the property to the public.
            (3) Shenandoah county.--Shenandoah County may continue to 
        own, operate, and manage the Keister park site within the Park 
        for the benefit of the public.
            (4) Park community partners.--The Secretary shall cooperate 
        with the Park's adjacent historic towns of Strasburg and 
        Middletown, Virginia, as well as Frederick, Shenandoah, and 
        Warren counties in furthering the purposes of the Park.
            (5) Shenandoah valley battlefields foundation.--The 
        Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation may continue to 
        administer and manage the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields 
        National Historic District in partnership with the National 
        Park Service and in accordance with the Management Plan for the 
        District in which the Park is located.

SEC. 14. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this Act.
            Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to designate the 
        Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park as a unit 
        of the National Park System, and for other purposes.''.




                                                       Calendar No. 650

107th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 2623

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

  To designate the Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation 
National Historical Park as a unit of the National Park System, and for 
                            other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                            October 8, 2002

        Reported with an amendment and an amendment to the title