[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.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 2, 2004
Mr. Sherwood introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Resources
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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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