II Calendar No. 984 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2535 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 22 (legislative day, January 3), 2008 Mr. Reid (for Mrs. Clinton) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources September 16, 2008 Reported by Mr. Bingaman, with amendments Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic A BILL To revise the boundary of the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site Boundary Revision Act.

2.

Definitions

As used in this Act: (1)

Historic site

The term historic site means the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site in the State of New York established by Public Law 93–486 (16 U.S.C. 461 note) on October 26, 1974. (2)

Map

The term map means the map entitled Boundary Map, Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, numbered 460/80801, and dated January 2005. (3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

3.

Findings and purposes

(a)

Findings

Congress finds that— (1)the historic site was established to preserve and interpret the landscape, structures, and collections of the house known as Lindenwald in Kinderhook, New York, which was owned by Martin Van Buren, the eighth President of the United States from 1839 to his death in 1862; (2)the current boundary of the historic site, encompassing about 39 acres of land, does not adequately protect natural and cultural resources that contribute to the significance of the historic site; (3)the conservation easements acquired to preserve the key agricultural views of the historic site no longer offer adequate protection for the views; (4)development of administrative buildings and facilities required for future operations of the historic site within the current boundaries of the historic site may not be suitable due to the impacts of those buildings and facilities on historic or scenic resources; and (5)a boundary study prepared by the National Park Service in 2003 identifies about 331 acres of land that, if acquired, would— (A)help protect the agricultural character and the quality of the setting of the historic site; and (B)increase opportunities for interpretation and education at the historic site. (b)

Purposes

The purposes of this Act are— (1)to protect the remaining contributing resources significant to the historic site; (2)to preserve a more accurate portrayal of Lindenwald by reuniting remaining agricultural land associated with the house through the acquisition of the agricultural land from willing sellers; (3)to enhance the interpretation of the broader political and agrarian beliefs of President Van Buren by— (A)enabling public access to key agricultural resources; and (B)protecting the scenic values associated with the historic site; and (4)to enable the National Park Service to establish administrative facilities that do not intrude on the resources or scenic values of the historic site.

4.

Boundary adjustments to the historic site

3.

Boundary adjustments to the historic site

(a)

Boundary adjustment

The boundary of the historic site is adjusted to include approximately 261 acres of land identified as the PROPOSED PARK BOUNDARY, as generally depicted on the map. (b)

Acquisition authority

The Secretary may acquire the land and any interests in the land described in subsection (a) from willing sellers by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange. (c)

Availability of map

The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service. (d)

Administration

Land acquired for the historic site under this section shall be administered as part of the historic site in accordance with applicable law (including regulations).

5.

Authorization of appropriations

4.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.

September 16, 2008 Reported with amendments