Collapse to view only § 410tt-1. Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve at St. Croix, Virgin Islands

§ 410tt. Findings
The Congress finds that the Salt River Bay area of the north central coast of St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands—
(1) has been inhabited, possibly as far back as 2000 B.C., and encompasses all major cultural periods in the United States Virgin Islands;
(2) contains the only ceremonial ball court ever discovered in the Lesser Antilles, village middens, and burial grounds which can provide evidence for the interpretation of Caribbean life prior to Columbus;
(3) is the only known site where members of the Columbus expeditions set foot on what is now United States territory;
(4) was a focal point of various European attempts to colonize the area during the post-Columbian period and contains sites of Spanish, French, Dutch, English, and Danish settlements, including Fort Sale, one of the few remaining earthwork fortifications in the Western Hemisphere;
(5) presents an outstanding opportunity to preserve and interpret Caribbean history and culture, including the impact of European exploration and settlement;
(6) has been a national natural landmark since February 1980 and has been nominated for acquisition as a nationally significant wildlife habitat;
(7) contains the largest remaining mangrove forest in the United States Virgin Islands and a variety of tropical marine and terrestrial ecosystems which should be preserved and kept unimpaired for the benefit of present and future generations; and
(8) is worthy of a comprehensive preservation effort that should be carried out in partnership between the Federal Government and the Government of the United States Virgin Islands.
(Pub. L. 102–247, title I, § 102, Feb. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 33.)
§ 410tt–1. Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve at St. Croix, Virgin Islands
(a) Establishment

In order to preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit of present and future generations certain nationally significant historical, cultural, and natural sites and resources in the Virgin Islands, there is established the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve at St. Croix, Virgin Islands (hereafter in this subchapter referred to as the “park”).

(b) Area included

The park shall consist of approximately 1015 acres of lands, waters, and interests in lands as generally depicted on the map entitled “Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, St. Croix, U.S.V.I.”, numbered 141/80002, and dated May 2, 2002. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the offices of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, and the Offices of the Lieutenant Governor of St. Thomas and St. Croix, Virgin Islands.

(Pub. L. 102–247, title I, § 103, Feb. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 34; Pub. L. 107–329, title III, § 301, Dec. 6, 2002, 116 Stat. 2819.)
§ 410tt–2. Acquisition of land
(a) General authority

The Secretary of the Interior (hereafter in this subchapter referred to as the “Secretary”) may acquire land and interests in land within the boundaries of the park by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Government of the United States Virgin Islands from acquiring land or interest in land within the boundaries of the park.

(b) Limitations on authority

Lands, and interests in lands, within the boundaries of the park which are owned by the United States Virgin Islands, or any political subdivision thereof, may be acquired only by donation or exchange. No lands, or interests therein, containing dwellings lying within the park boundary as of July 1, 1991, may be acquired without the consent of the owner, unless the Secretary determines, after consultation with the Government of the United States Virgin Islands, that the land is being developed or proposed to be developed in a manner which is detrimental to the natural, scenic, historic, and other values for which the park was established.

(Pub. L. 102–247, title I, § 104, Feb. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 34.)
§ 410tt–3. Administration
(a) In general

(b) Cooperative agreements

The Secretary, after consulting with the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve at St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Commission (hereafter in this subchapter referred to as the “Commission”) established by section 410tt–4 of this title, is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with the United States Virgin Islands, or any political subdivision thereof, for the management of the park and for other purposes.

(c) General management plan
(1) Not later than 3 years after the date funds are made available for this subsection, the Secretary, in consultation with the Commission, and with public involvement, shall develop and submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the United States House of Representatives a general management plan for the park. The general management plan shall describe the appropriate protection, management, uses, and development of the park consistent with the purposes of this subchapter.
(2) The general management plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(A) Plans for implementation of a continuing program of interpretation and visitor education about the resources and values of the park.
(B) Proposals for visitor use facilities to be developed for the park.
(C) Plans for management of the natural and cultural resources of the park, with particular emphasis on the preservation of both the cultural and natural resources and long-term scientific study of terrestrial, marine, and archeological resources, giving high priority to the enforcement of the provisions of the Archeological 2
2 So in original. Probably should be “Archaeological”.
Resources Protection Act of 1979 (16 U.S.C. 470aa et seq.) and the National Historic Preservation Act1 within the park. The natural and cultural resources management plans shall be prepared in consultation with the Virgin Islands Division of Archeology and Historic Preservation.
(D) Proposals for assessing the potential operation and supply of park concessions by qualified Virgin Islands-owned businesses.
(E) Plans for the training of personnel in accordance with subsection (e).3
3 So in original. Probably should be “subsection (d).”
(d) Training assistance

During the 10-year period beginning on February 24, 1992, the Secretary shall, subject to appropriations, provide the funds for the employees of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands directly engaged in the joint management of the park and shall implement, in consultation with the Government of the United States Virgin Islands, a program under which Virgin Islands citizens may be trained in all phases of park operations and management: Provided, however, That in no event shall the Secretary provide more than 50 percent of the funding for such purposes. A primary objective of the program shall be to train employees in the skills necessary for operating and managing a Virgin Islands Territorial Park System.

(Pub. L. 102–247, title I, § 105, Feb. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 34; Pub. L. 103–437, § 6(d)(13), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4584.)
§ 410tt–4. Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve at St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Commission
(a) Establishment

There is established a commission to be known as the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve at St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Commission.

(b) Duties
The Commission shall—
(1) make recommendations on how all lands and waters within the boundaries of the park can be jointly managed by the governments of the United States Virgin Islands and the United States in accordance with this subchapter;
(2) consult with the Secretary on the development of the general management plan required by section 410tt–3 of this title; and
(3) provide advice and recommendations to the Government of the United States Virgin Islands, upon request of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands.
(c) Membership
The Commission shall be composed of 10 members, as follows:
(1) The Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, or the designee of the Governor.
(2) The Secretary, or the designee of the Secretary.
(3) Four members appointed by the Secretary.
(4) Four members appointed by the Secretary from a list provided by the Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, at least one of whom shall be a member of the Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands.
Initial appointments made under this subsection shall be made within 120 days after February 24, 1992, except that the appointments made under paragraph (4) shall be made within 120 days after the date on which the Secretary receives such list.
(d) Terms

The members appointed under paragraphs (3) and (4) shall be appointed for terms of 4 years. A member of the Commission appointed for a definite term may serve after the expiration of the member’s term until a successor is appointed. A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made and shall be filled within 60 days after the expiration of the term.

(e) Chair

The Chair of the Commission shall alternate annually between the Secretary and the Governor of the United States Virgin Islands. All other officers of the Commission shall be elected by a majority of the members of the Commission to serve for terms established by the Commission.

(f) Meetings

The Commission shall meet on a regular basis or at the call of the Chair. Notice of meetings and agenda shall be published in the Federal Register and local newspapers having a distribution that generally covers the United States Virgin Islands. Commission meetings shall be held at locations and in such a manner as to ensure adequate public involvement.

(g) Expenses

Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation as such, but the Secretary may pay each member of the Commission travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with section 5703 of title 5. Members of the Commission who are full-time officers or employees of the United States or the Virgin Islands Government may not receive additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the Commission. The Secretary shall provide the Commission with a budget for travel expenses and staff, and guidelines by which expenditures shall be accounted for.

(h) Chapter 10 of title 5

Except with respect to the provisions of section 1013(b) of title 5, and except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, the provisions of chapter 10 of title 5 shall apply to the Commission.

(i) Termination

The Commission shall terminate 10 years after February 24, 1992, unless the Secretary determines that it is necessary to continue consulting with the Commission in carrying out the purposes of this subchapter.

(Pub. L. 102–247, title I, § 106, Feb. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 35; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(82), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4314.)
§ 410tt–5. Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this subchapter.

(Pub. L. 102–247, title I, § 107, Feb. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 37.)