Collapse to view only § 410oo-4. Natchez Trace study
- § 410oo. Purposes
- § 410oo-1. Establishment
- § 410oo-2. Acquisition of property
- § 410oo-3. Administration
- § 410oo-4. Natchez Trace study
- § 410oo-5. Advisory Commission
- § 410oo-6. Authorization of appropriations
In order to provide for the benefit, inspiration, and education of the American people, there is hereby established the Natchez National Historical Park (hereinafter in this subchapter referred to as the “park”) in the State of Mississippi.
The Secretary shall prepare a map of the lands included within the park. Such map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the offices of the National Park Service at the park and at the Department of the Interior in the District of Columbia. The Secretary may from time to time make minor revisions in the boundary of the park in accordance with section 100506(c) of title 54.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary may acquire, by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange, land or interests in land, together with structures and other improvements thereon and personal property, which is included within the park. In addition the Secretary may acquire by any such means such personal property associated with the park as he deems appropriate for interpretation of the park and such additional lands and properties as may be necessary for purposes of an administrative headquarters and administrative site. Any land, interests in land, structures, improvements, or personal property owned by the State of Mississippi or any political subdivision thereof, may be acquired only by donation. The Secretary may not acquire fee title to any property other than the property he deems necessary for an administrative site and headquarters and the property referred to in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 410oo–1 of this title, and the Secretary may not acquire the property referred to in paragraph (1) of section 410oo–1 of this title unless at least 25 per centum of the fair market value of such property (as determined by the Secretary) is donated to the United States in connection with such acquisition. The Secretary may not acquire the property referred to in paragraph (3) of section 410oo–1(b) of this title except by donation.
The Secretary may enter into an agreement with the City of Natchez under which the Secretary agrees to pay not to exceed $3,000,000 toward the planning and construction by the City of Natchez of a structure to be partially used by the Secretary as an administrative headquarters, administrative site, and visitor center for Natchez National Historical Park.
The amount of payment under paragraph (1) may be available for matching Federal grants authorized under other law notwithstanding any limitations in any such law.
Prior to the execution of an agreement under paragraph (1), and subject to the appropriation of necessary funds in advance, the Secretary may enter into a contract, lease, cooperative agreement, or other appropriate form of agreement with the City of Natchez providing for the use and occupancy of a portion of the structure constructed under paragraph (1) (including appropriate use of the land on which it is situated), at no cost to the Secretary (except maintenance, utility, and other operational costs), for a period of 50 years, with an option for renewal by the Secretary for an additional 50 years.
There is authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 to carry out this subsection.
The Secretary shall administer the park in accordance with this subchapter and with the provisions of law generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including the Act entitled “An Act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes”, approved August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1–4) 1
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may accept and expend donations of funds, property, or services from individuals, foundations, corporations, or public entities for the purpose of providing services and facilities which he deems consistent with the purposes of this subchapter.
The Secretary shall prepare and transmit to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate a study of the properties in the city of Natchez and its immediate environs that preserve and interpret the history contained in the purposes of this subchapter. Such report shall consider which properties best exemplify such purposes and appropriate means for providing technical assistance to, and interpretation of, such properties. The study and report shall include consideration of Natchez-Under-the-Hill and the Briars.
Following completion of the study under paragraph (1), but not later than one year after October 7, 1988, the Secretary shall establish historic districts in the city of Natchez and its immediate environs for the preservation and interpretation of the resources that contribute to the understanding of the purposes of this subchapter.
In furtherance of the purposes of this subchapter, and after consultation with the Advisory Commission established by this subchapter, the Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with the owners of properties of historical or cultural significance (as determined by the Secretary) within any historic district established under this subsection. Such agreements shall permit the Secretary to mark, interpret, improve, restore, and provide technical assistance with respect to the preservation and interpretation of such properties. Such agreements shall contain, but need not be limited to, provisions that the Secretary shall have the right of access at reasonable times to public portions of any property covered by such agreement for purposes of conducting visitors through such properties and interpreting them to the public, and that no changes or alterations shall be made in the property except by mutual agreement between the Secretary and other parties to the agreement.
Within three complete fiscal years after October 7, 1988, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate a general management plan for the park. The plan shall be prepared in accordance with section 100502 of title 54. Such plan shall identify appropriate facilities for proper interpretation of the site for visitors.
The Secretary shall prepare, in consultation with the city of Natchez, a study of the feasibility of extending the Natchez Trace within the city of Natchez, including the acceptance of donations of rights-of-way. The Secretary shall transmit the study to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate within one year after October 7, 1988.
There is hereby established the Natchez National Historical Park Advisory Commission (hereinafter in this subchapter referred to as the “Advisory Commission”). The Advisory Commission shall be composed of six members appointed by the Secretary. Two of such members shall be appointed from among individuals nominated by the mayor of Natchez and one from among individuals nominated by the Governor of Mississippi. Two of the members shall have expertise in historic preservation and one shall have expertise in architectural history. Any member of the Advisory Commission appointed for a definite term may serve after the expiration of his term until his successor is appointed. The Advisory Commission shall designate one of its members as Chairperson.
The Secretary, or his designee, shall from time to time, but at least semiannually, meet and consult with the Advisory Commission on matters relating to the management and development of the park.
The Advisory Commission shall meet on a regular basis. Notice of meetings and agenda shall be published in local newspapers which have a distribution which generally covers the area affected by the park. Advisory Commission meetings shall be held at locations and in such a manner as to ensure adequate public involvement.
Members of the Advisory Commission shall serve without compensation as such, but the Secretary may pay expenses reasonably incurred in carrying out their responsibilities under this subchapter on vouchers signed by the Chairman.
The provisions of section 1013(b) of title 5 are hereby waived with respect to this Advisory Commission.
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $12,000,000 to carry out land acquisition and development as authorized in this subchapter.