[106th Congress Public Law 487]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
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[DOCID: f:publ487.106]
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VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN TRAIL BATTLEFIELDS PRESERVATION ACT OF 2000
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Public Law 106-487
106th Congress
An Act
To authorize a feasibility study on the preservation of certain Civil
War battlefields along the Vicksburg Campaign Trail. <<NOTE: Nov. 9,
2000 - [S. 710]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress <<NOTE: Vicksburg Campaign Trail
Battlefields Preservation Act of 2000. State listing.>> assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Vicksburg Campaign Trail Battlefields
Preservation Act of 2000''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) there are situated along the Vicksburg Campaign Trail in
the States of Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee
the sites of several key Civil War battles;
(2) the battlefields along the Vicksburg Campaign Trail are
collectively of national significance in the history of the
Civil War; and
(3) the preservation of those battlefields would vitally
contribute to the understanding of the heritage of the United
States.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to authorize a feasibility
study to determine what measures should be taken to preserve certain
Civil War battlefields along the Vicksburg Campaign Trail.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Campaign trail state.--The term ``Campaign Trail State''
means each of the States of Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas,
and Tennessee, including political subdivisions of those States.
(2) Civil war battlefield.--The term ``Civil War
battlefield'' includes the following sites (including related
structures adjacent to or thereon)--
(A) the battlefields at Helena and Arkansas Post,
Arkansas;
(B) Goodrich's Landing near Transylvania, and sites
in and around Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish,
Louisiana;
(C) the battlefield at Milliken's Bend, Madison
Parish, Louisiana;
(D) the route of Grant's march through Louisiana
from Milliken's Bend to Hard Times, Madison and Tensas
Parishes, Louisiana;
(E) the Winter Quarters at Tensas Parish, Louisiana;
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(F) Grant's landing site at Bruinsburg, and the
route of Grant's march from Bruinsburg to Vicksburg,
Claiborne, Hinds, and Warren Counties, Mississippi;
(G) the battlefield at Port Gibson (including
Shaifer House, Bethel Church, and the ruins of Windsor),
Claiborne County, Mississippi;
(H) the battlefield at Grand Gulf, Claiborne County,
Mississippi;
(I) the battlefield at Raymond (including Waverly
(the Peyton House)), Hinds County, Mississippi;
(J) the battlefield at Jackson, Hinds County,
Mississippi;
(K) the Union siege lines around Jackson, Hinds
County, Mississippi;
(L) the battlefield at Champion Hill (including
Coker House), Hinds County, Mississippi;
(M) the battlefield at Big Black River Bridge, Hinds
and Warren Counties, Mississippi;
(N) the Union fortifications at Haynes Bluff,
Confederate fortifications at Snyder's Bluff, and
remnants of Federal exterior lines, Warren County,
Mississippi;
(O) the battlefield at Chickasaw Bayou, Warren
County, Mississippi;
(P) Pemberton's Headquarters at Warren County,
Mississippi;
(Q) the site of actions taken in the Mississippi
Delta and Confederate fortifications near Grenada,
Grenada County, Mississippi;
(R) the site of the start of Greirson's Raid and
other related sites, LaGrange, Tennessee; and
(S) any other sites considered appropriate by the
Secretary.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National
Park Service.
SEC. 4. FEASIBILITY STUDY.
(a) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> In General.--Not later than 3 years after
funds are made available for this Act, the Secretary shall complete a
feasibility study to determine what measures should be taken to preserve
Civil War battlefields along the Vicksburg Campaign Trail.
(b) Components.--In completing the study, the Secretary shall--
(1) review current National Park Service programs, policies
and criteria to determine the most appropriate means of ensuring
the Civil War battlefields and associated natural, cultural, and
historical resources are preserved;
(2) evaluate options for the establishment of a management
entity for the Civil War battlefields consisting of a unit of
government or a private nonprofit organization that--
(A) administers and manages the Civil War
battlefields; and
(B) possesses the legal authority to--
(i) receive Federal funds and funds from other
units of government or other organizations for use
in managing the Civil War battlefields;
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(ii) disburse Federal funds to other units of
government or other nonprofit organizations for
use in managing the Civil War battlefields;
(iii) enter into agreements with the Federal
Government, State governments, or other units of
government and nonprofit organizations; and
(iv) acquire land or interests in land by gift
or devise, by purchase from a willing seller using
donated or appropriated funds, or by donation;
(3) make recommendations to the Campaign Trail States for
the management, preservation, and interpretation of the natural,
cultural, and historical resources of the Civil War
battlefields;
(4) identify appropriate partnerships among Federal, State,
and local governments, regional entities, and the private
sector, including nonprofit organizations and the organization
known as ``Friends of the Vicksburg Campaign and Historic
Trail'', in furtherance of the purposes of this Act; and
(5) recommend methods of ensuring continued local
involvement and participation in the management, protection, and
development of the Civil War battlefields.
(c) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Report.--Not later than 60 days after the
date of completion of the study under this section, the Secretary shall
submit a report describing the findings of the study to--
(1) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Resources of the House of
Representatives.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this Act $1,500,000.
Approved November 9, 2000.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 710:
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SENATE REPORTS: No. 106-184 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
Vol. 145 (1999):
Nov. 19, considered and passed
Senate.
Vol. 146 (2000):
Oct. 23, considered and passed
House.
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