[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4494 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 4494

To designate the Grey Towers National Historic Site in the Commonwealth 
                of Pennsylvania, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 2, 2004

 Mr. Sherwood introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                         Committee on Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To designate the Grey Towers National Historic Site in the Commonwealth 
                of Pennsylvania, 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 ``Grey Towers National Historic Site 
Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSES; DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) James and Mary Pinchot constructed a home and estate 
        that is known as Grey Towers in Milford, Pennsylvania.
            (2) James and Mary Pinchot were also the progenitors of a 
        family of notable accomplishment in the history of the 
        Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Nation, in particular, 
        their son, Gifford Pinchot.
            (3) Gifford Pinchot was the first Chief of the Forest 
        Service, a major influence in formulating and implementing 
        forest conservation policies in the early 20th Century, and 
        twice Governor of Pennsylvania.
            (4) During the early 20th century, James and Gifford 
        Pinchot used Grey Towers and the environs to establish 
        scientific forestry, to develop conservation leaders, and to 
        formulate conservation principles, thus making this site one of 
        the primary birthplaces of the American conservation movement.
            (5) In 1963, Gifford Bryce Pinchot, the son of Gifford and 
        Cornelia Pinchot, donated Grey Towers and 102 acres to the 
        Nation.
            (6) In 1963, President John F. Kennedy dedicated the 
        Pinchot Institute for Conservation ``for the greater knowledge 
        of land and its uses'' at Grey Towers National Historic 
        Landmark, thereby establishing a partnership between the public 
        and private sectors.
            (7) Grey Towers today is a place of historical significance 
        where leaders in natural resource conservation meet, study, and 
        share ideas, analyses, values, and philosophies, and is also a 
        place where the public can learn and appreciate our 
        conservation heritage.
            (8) As established by President Kennedy, the Pinchot 
        Institute for Conservation, and the Forest Service at Grey 
        Towers operate through an established partnership in developing 
        and delivering programs that carry on Gifford Pinchot's 
        conservation legacy.
            (9) Grey Towers and associated structures in and around 
        Milford, Pennsylvania, can serve to enhance regional 
        recreational and educational opportunities.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are as follows:
            (1) To honor and perpetuate the memory of Gifford Pinchot.
            (2) To promote the recreational and educational resources 
        of Milford, Pennsylvania, and its environs.
            (3) To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture--
                    (A) to further the scientific, policy analysis, 
                educational, and cultural programs in natural resource 
                conservation at Grey Towers;
                    (B) to manage the property and environs more 
                efficiently and effectively; and
                    (C) to further collaborative ties with the Pinchot 
                Institute for Conservation, and other Federal, State, 
                and local agencies with shared interests.
    (c) Definitions.--For the purposes of this Act:
            (1) Associated properties.--The term ``Associated 
        Properties'' means lands and improvements outside of the Grey 
        Towers National Historic Landmark within Pike County, 
        Pennsylvania, and which were associated with James and Mary 
        Pinchot, the Yale School of Forestry, or the Forest Service.
            (2) Grey towers.--The term ``Grey Towers'' means the 
        buildings and surrounding area of approximately 303 acres, 
        including the 102 acres donated in 1963 to the United States 
        and so designated that year.
            (3) Historic site.--The term ``Historic Site'' means the 
        Grey Towers National Historic Site, as so designated by this 
        Act.
            (4) Pinchot institute.--The term ``Pinchot Institute'' 
        means the Pinchot Institute for Conservation, a nonprofit 
        corporation established under the laws of the District of 
        Columbia.
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Agriculture.

SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.

     Subject to valid existing rights, all lands and improvements 
formerly encompassed within the Grey Towers National Historic Landmark 
are designated as the ``Grey Towers National Historic Site''.

SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) Purposes.--The Historic Site shall be administered for the 
following purposes:
            (1) Education, public demonstration projects, and research 
        related to natural resource conservation, protection, 
        management, and use.
            (2) Leadership development within the natural resource 
        professions and the Federal civil service.
            (3) Continuing Gifford Pinchot's legacy through pursuit of 
        new ideas, strategies, and solutions to natural resource issues 
        that include economic, ecological, and social values.
            (4) Preservation, use, and maintenance of the buildings, 
        grounds, facilities, and archives associated with Gifford 
        Pinchot.
            (5) Study and interpretation of the life and works of 
        Gifford Pinchot.
            (6) Public recreation and enjoyment.
            (7) Protection and enjoyment of the scenic and natural 
        environs.
    (b) Applicable Laws.--The Secretary shall administer federally 
owned lands and interests in lands at the Historic Site and Associated 
Properties as components of the National Forest System in accordance 
with this Act and the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the 
System, except that the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 
Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600, et seq.) shall not apply.
    (c) Land Acquisition.--The Secretary is authorized to acquire, on a 
willing seller basis, by purchase, donation, exchange, or otherwise, 
privately owned lands and interests in lands, including improvements, 
within the Historic Site and the Associated Properties, using donated 
or appropriated funds.
    (d) Gifts.--
            (1) Accepted by entities other than the secretary.--Subject 
        to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, 
        any public or private agency, organization, institution, or 
        individual may solicit, accept, and administer private gifts of 
        money and real or personal property for the benefit of, or in 
        connection with, the activities and services at the Historic 
        Site.
            (2) Accepted by the secretary.--Gifts may be accepted by 
        the Secretary for the benefit of, or in connection with, the 
        activities and services at the Historic Site notwithstanding 
        the fact that a donor conducts business with or is regulated by 
        the Department of Agriculture in any capacity.

SEC. 5. COOPERATIVE AUTHORITIES.

    (a) Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary 
is authorized to enter into agreements for grants, contracts, and 
cooperative agreements as appropriate with the Pinchot Institute, 
public and other private agencies, organizations, institutions, and 
individuals to provide for the development, administration, 
maintenance, or restoration of land, facilities, or Forest Service 
programs at Grey Towers or to otherwise further the purposes of this 
Act.
    (b) Interdepartmental.--The Secretary and the Secretary of the 
Interior are authorized and encouraged to cooperate in promoting public 
use and enjoyment of Grey Towers and the Delaware Water Gap National 
Recreation Area and in otherwise furthering the administration and 
purposes for which both areas were designated. Such cooperation may 
include colocation and use of facilities within Associated Properties 
and elsewhere.
    (c) Other.--The Secretary may authorize use of the grounds and 
facilities of Grey Towers by the Pinchot Institute and other 
participating partners including Federal, State, and local agencies, on 
such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, including the 
waiver of special use authorizations and the waiver of rental and use 
fees.

SEC. 6. FUNDS.

    (a) Fees and Charges.--The Secretary may impose reasonable fees and 
charges for admission to and use of facilities on Grey Towers.
    (b) Special Fund.--Any monies received by the Forest Service in 
administering Grey Towers shall be deposited into the Treasury of the 
United States and covered in a special fund called the Grey Towers 
National Historic Site Fund. Monies in the Grey Towers National 
Historic Site Fund shall be available until expended, without further 
appropriation, for support of programs of Grey Towers, and any other 
expenses incurred in the administration of Grey Towers.
    (c) Use of Funds; Fundraising.--Funds generated at Grey Towers 
shall be retained for the enhancement of the Historic Site and 
furtherance of its programs. Generation of such funds shall be 
secondary to the mission of Grey Towers administration and fund-raising 
activities shall be compatible with the purposes for which Grey Towers 
is administered.

SEC. 7. PINCHOT INSTITUTE.

    (a) Federal Employees.--In order to facilitate and promote the 
purposes of Grey Towers and the Pinchot Institute, Federal employees 
may participate in the activities of the Pinchot Institute and serve in 
nonsalaried capacities, including as members of the Board of Directors, 
notwithstanding their status as Federal employees.
    (b) Assistance.--In furtherance of the purposes of this Act and 
subject to the availability of appropriations or monies in the Grey 
Towers National Historic Site Fund, the Secretary may provide financial 
assistance for the operations of the Pinchot Institute.

SEC. 8. SAVINGS PROVISION.

     Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to diminish the authorities of 
the Secretary under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act or any 
other law pertaining to the National Forest System.
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