Declaration of national policy

54 U.S.C. § 320101

• Title: 54 — National Park Service and Related Programs
• Chapter: 3201 — POLICY AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Text

It is declared that it is a national policy to preserve for public use historic sites, buildings, and objects of national significance for the inspiration and benefit of the people of the United States.

History

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3257.)

Editorial Notes

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
For other historic sites, see General Index.
Tables listing National Heritage and River Corridors, National Heritage Areas, National Heritage Canalways, National Heritage Partnerships, and National Heritage Routes, formerly set out under this section, were transferred and are set out under section 120102 of this title.

Crossroads of the West Historic District
Pub. L. 106–577, title III, §302, Dec. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 3072, established the Crossroads of the West Historic District in Ogden, Utah, provided that the Secretary of the Interior could make grants and enter into cooperative agreements with the State of Utah, local governments, and nonprofit entities for the preparation of a plan for the development of historic, architectural, natural, cultural, and interpretive resources within the District, for implementation of projects approved by the Secretary under that development plan, for an analysis assessing measures that could be taken to encourage economic development and revitalization within the District in a manner consistent with the District's historic character, and for assisting in the restoration, repair, rehabilitation and improvement of historic infrastructure, and the preservation and interpretation of properties, within the District, set forth the application process, and authorized appropriations.

Route 66 Corridor
Pub. L. 106–45, Aug. 10, 1999, 113 Stat. 224, as amended by Pub. L. 111–11, title VII, §7304, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1218, authorized the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Cultural Resource Programs at the National Park Service, to develop and carry out programs of technical assistance, grants, and coordination of activities for the preservation of the Route 66 corridor and authorized appropriations for these purposes.

Chesapeake Bay Initiative
Pub. L. 105–312, title V, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2961, as amended by Pub. L. 107–308, §9, Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2448; Pub. L. 111–212, title III, §3005, July 29, 2010, 124 Stat. 2339; Pub. L. 112–74, div. E, title I, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 991; Pub. L. 113–76, div. G, title IV, §428, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 345; Pub. L. 114–113, div. G, title IV, §422, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2579; Pub. L. 115–141, div. G, title IV, §420, Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 691; Pub. L. 116–188, title I, §110, Oct. 30, 2020, 134 Stat. 920; Pub. L. 118–198, title I, §109, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2681, known as the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998, authorized Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to create a Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network and to provide assistance to State and local governments in establishing this network, and authorized appropriations for these purposes.

Vancouver National Historic Reserve
Pub. L. 104–333, div. I, title V, §502, Nov. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 4154, as amended by Pub. L. 106–176, title I, §107, Mar. 10, 2000, 114 Stat. 26; Pub. L. 107–342, §1, Dec. 17, 2002, 116 Stat. 2891, established Vancouver National Historic Reserve, Washington, directed that Reserve be administered through general management plan submitted by National Park Service to Secretary of the Interior within 3 years after Nov. 12, 1996, developed by partnership of interests including National Park Service, Historic Preservation Office of State of Washington, Department of the Army, and City of Vancouver, Washington, and to include specific findings of Vancouver Historic Reserve Report and to meet with approval of Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of the Army, directed that plan not be deemed new unit of National Park System and not limit authority of Federal Aviation Administration, and authorized appropriations.

Great Falls Historic District, New Jersey
Pub. L. 104–333, div. I, title V, §510, Nov. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 4158, as amended by Pub. L. 106–176, title I, §110, Mar. 10, 2000, 114 Stat. 26, established Great Falls Historic District in Paterson, New Jersey, and included statement of purposes, definitions, development plan, and provisions relating to cooperative agreements and applications for restoration, preservation and interpretation of properties, and authorization of appropriations.

Aleutian World War II National Historic Area
Pub. L. 104–333, div. I, title V, §513, Nov. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 4165, as amended by Pub. L. 106–176, title I, §113, Mar. 10, 2000, 114 Stat. 27, cited as "Aleutian World War II National Historic Areas Act of 1996", designated and preserved Aleutian World War II National Historic Area within lands owned by Ounalaska Corporation on Island of Amaknak, Alaska, set boundaries of Historic Area, set terms, conditions, and limitations, and authorized Secretary of the Interior to award grants and provide technical assistance to Ounalaska Corporation and City of Unalaska.

Maine Acadian Culture Preservation Act
Pub. L. 101–543, Nov. 8, 1990, 104 Stat. 2389, established Maine Acadian Culture Preservation Commission, prescribed duties of Commission, required Secretary of the Interior within 1 year to prepare and transmit to Congress a comprehensive study of Acadian culture in Maine, authorized cooperative agreements and establishment of Acadian Culture Center, and authorized appropriations.

Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission
Pub. L. 100–698, §1, title I, §§101–105, Nov. 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 4618, as amended by Pub. L. 104–333, div. I, title VIII, §814(d)(1)(L), Nov. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 4196; Pub. L. 106–291, title I, §148, Oct. 11, 2000, 114 Stat. 956, provided for the establishment and staffing of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission and set forth its powers and functions as a means for recognizing, preserving, promoting, and interpreting the cultural heritage of the 9-county region in southwestern Pennsylvania associated with the three basic industries of iron and steel, coal, and transportation.

Historic Resources of Camden, South Carolina
Pub. L. 97–184, May 24, 1982, 96 Stat. 99, provided: "That (a) in order to assist in the preservation of the nationally significant historic resources associated with the town of Camden, South Carolina, a key location in the development of South Carolina and in military operations in the South during the American Revolution, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized, in accordance with subsection 2(e) of the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666) [see 54 U.S.C. 320301(f)], to enter into a cooperative agreement or agreements with the Camden Historical Commission, the Camden District Heritage Foundation, or other appropriate public, governmental, or private nonprofit entities pursuant to which the Secretary may assist in the protection, restoration, and interpretation of such resources for the benefit of the public.
"(b) Beginning October 1, 1982, there are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act [this note], but not to exceed $250,000."

Saint Paul's Church, Eastchester
Pub. L. 95–625, title V, §504, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3498, provided:
"(a) [Acquisition of property] In order to preserve and protect Saint Paul's Church, Eastchester, in Mount Vernon, New York, for the benefit of present and future generations, the Secretary may accept any gift or bequest of any property or structure which comprises such church and any other real or personal property located within the square bounded by South Columbus Avenue, South Third Avenue, Edison Avenue, and South Fulton Avenue, in Mount Vernon, New York, including the cemetery located within such square and any real property located within such square which was at any time a part of the old village green, now in Mount Vernon, New York.
"(b) [Administration; repairs; cooperative agreements: management protection, development and interpretation] Any property acquired under subsection (a) shall be administered by the Secretary acting through the National Park Service, in accordance with this section and provisions of law generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including the Act approved August 25, 1916 ([former] 16 U.S.C. 1 and following) [see 18 U.S.C. 1865(a), 54 U.S.C. 100101(a), 100301 et seq., 100751(a), 100752, 100753, 102101] and the Act approved August 21, 1935 [see 18 U.S.C. 1866(a), 54 U.S.C. 102303, 102304, 320101 et seq.]. The Secretary, in carrying out the provisions of such Acts (i) shall give particular attention to assuring the completion of such structural and other repairs as he considers necessary to restore and preserve any property acquired in accordance with this section, and (ii) may enter into cooperative agreements with other public or private entities for the management, protection, development, and interpretation, in whole or in part, of the property so acquired."

Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Pub. L. 95–625, title V, §508, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3507, as amended Pub. L. 96–87, title IV, §401(k), Oct. 12, 1979, 93 Stat. 666; Pub. L. 118–42, div. E, title I, §125, Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 250, provided:
"(a) [Establishment, area of reserve] There is hereby established the Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve (hereinafter referred to as the 'reserve'), in order to preserve and protect a rural community which provides an unbroken historical record from nineteenth century exploration and settlement in Puget Sound to the present time, and to commemorate—
"(1) the first thorough exploration of the Puget Sound area, by Captain George Vancouver, in 1792;
"(2) settlement by Colonel Isaac Neff Ebey who led the first permanent settlers to Whidbey Island, quickly became an important figure in Washington Territory, and ultimately was killed by Haidahs from the Queen Charlotte Islands during a period of Indian unrest in 1857;
"(3) early active settlement during the years of the Donation Land Law (1850–1855) [Sept. 27, 1850, ch. 76, 9 Stat. 496, Feb. 14, 1853, ch. 69, 10 Stat. 158, July 17, 1854, ch. 84, 10 Stat. 305] and thereafter; and
"(4) the growth since 1883 of the historic town of Coupeville.
The reserve shall include the area of approximately eight thousand acres identified as the Central Whidbey Island Historic District.
"(b) [Comprehensive plan; transmittal to Congress] (1) To achieve the purpose of this section, the Secretary, in cooperation with the appropriate State and local units of general government, shall formulate a comprehensive plan for the protection, preservation, and interpretation of the reserve. The plan shall identify those areas or zones within the reserve which would most appropriately be devoted to—
"(A) public use and development;
"(B) historic and natural preservation; and
"(C) private use subject to appropriate local zoning ordinances designed to protect the historical rural setting.
"(2) Within eighteen months following the date of enactment of this section [Nov. 10, 1978], the Secretary shall transmit the plan to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
"(c) [Cooperative agreement; land use controls; transfer of management and administration; assistance; grants, limitation of amount] At such time as the State or appropriate units of local government having jurisdiction over land use within the reserve have enacted such zoning ordinances or other land use controls which in the judgment of the Secretary will protect and preserve the historic and natural features of the area in accordance with the comprehensive plan, the Secretary may, pursuant to cooperative agreement—
"(1) transfer management and administration over all or any part of the property acquired under subsection (d) of this section to the State or appropriate units of local government;
"(2) provide technical assistance to such State or unit of local government in the management, protection, and interpretation of the reserve; and
"(3) make periodic grants, which shall be supplemental to any other funds to which the grantee may be entitled under any other provision of law, to such State or local unit of government for the annual costs of operation and maintenance, including but not limited to, salaries of personnel and the protection, preservation, and rehabilitation of the reserve except that no such grant may exceed 50 per centum of the estimated annual cost, as determined by the Secretary, of such operation and maintenance.
"(d) [Acquisition of property; administration by Secretary] The Secretary is authorized to acquire such lands and interests as he determines are necessary to accomplish the purposes of this section by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange, except that the Secretary may not acquire the fee simple title to any land without the consent of the owner. The Secretary shall, in addition, give prompt and careful consideration to any offer made by an individual owning property within the historic district to sell such property, if such individual notifies the Secretary that the continued ownership of such property is causing, or would result in, undue hardship.
"Lands and interests therein so acquired shall, so long as responsibility for management and administration remains with the United States, be administered by the Secretary subject to the provisions of the Act of August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535) [see 18 U.S.C. 1865(a), 54 U.S.C. 100101(a), 100301 et seq., 100751(a), 100752, 100753, 102101], as amended and supplemented, and in a manner consistent with the purpose of this section.
"(e) [Management inconsistencies; notification; modifications; withdrawal; management by Secretary] If, after the transfer of management and administration of any lands pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary determines that the reserve is not being managed in a manner consistent with the purposes of this section, he shall so notify the appropriate officers of the State or local unit of government to which such transfer was made and provide for a ninety-day period in which the transferee may make such modifications in applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and procedures as will be consistent with such purposes. If, upon the expiration of such ninety-day period, the Secretary determines that such modifications have not been made or are inadequate, he shall withdraw the management and administration from the transferee and he shall manage such lands in accordance with the provisions of this section.
"(f) [Authorization of appropriations] There is hereby authorized to be appropriated $18,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this section."

Executive Documents

Proc. No. 3339. Establishment of Key Largo Coral Reef Preserve
Proc. No. 3339, Mar. 15, 1960, 25 F.R. 2352, provided:
WHEREAS there is situated seaward from the coast of Key Largo, Florida, an undersea coral reef formation which is part of the only living coral reef formation along the coast of North America; and
WHEREAS this unique coral formation and its associated marine life are of great scientific interest and value to students of the sea; and
WHEREAS this coral reef is considered to be one of the most beautiful formations of its kind in the world; and
WHEREAS the reef is being subjected to commercial exploitation and is in danger of destruction; and
WHEREAS it is in the public interest to preserve this formation of great scientific and esthetic importance for the benefit and enjoyment of the people; and
WHEREAS a portion of this reef lies inside the three-mile limit in the area relinquished to the State of Florida by the United States through the Submerged Lands Act, approved May 22, 1953 (67 Stat. 29; 43 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.), and the remainder lies on the sea bed of the outer Continental Shelf outside the seaward boundary of the State of Florida and appertains to the United States, as declared by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, approved August 7, 1953 (67 Stat. 462; 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.); and
WHEREAS the United States and the State of Florida are desirous of cooperating for the purpose of preserving the scenic and scientific values of this area unimpaired for the benefit of future generations; and
WHEREAS by the terms of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act the United States has jurisdiction over the lands of the outer Continental Shelf and has the exclusive right to dispose of the natural resources of the sea bed and subsoil thereof; and
WHEREAS section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act [subsec. (a) of section 1341 of Title 43, Public Lands] authorizes the President to withdraw from disposition any of the unleased lands of the outer Continental Shelf; and
WHEREAS section 5 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act [section 1334 of Title 43] authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to prescribe rules and regulations for the conservation of the natural resources of the outer Continental Shelf and to cooperate with the conservation agencies of adjacent States in the enforcement of conservation laws, rules, and regulations:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, President of the United States of America, acting under and by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the statutes of the United States, particularly section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act [subsec. (a) of section 1341 of Title 43], do proclaim that, subject to valid existing rights, the following-described area is designated as the Key Largo Coral Reef Preserve, and so much thereof as lies on the outer Continental Shelf is withdrawn from disposition:
That portion of the outer Continental Shelf situated seaward of a line three geographic miles from Key Largo, Monroe County, Florida, lying and being within the following described area:
Beginning at a point on the 60-foot depth curve (10-fathom line) as delineated on Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart 1249 (approximate Latitude 25°17′36″ N., Longitude 80°10′00″ W.), 200 yards southeast of Flashing White Light—Whistle Buoy "2"; thence northwesterly approximately 7,000 yards through Whistle Buoy "2" to Can Buoy "21" (approximate Latitude 25°20′06″ N., Longitude 80°12′36″ W.) southeast of Old Rhodes Key; thence southwesterly about 6,900 yards to Can Buoy "25"; thence southwesterly approximately 5,500 yards to Can Buoy "27"; thence southwesterly approximately 5,000 yards to Flashing Green Light "31BH" in Hawk Channel southeast of Point Elizabeth; thence southwesterly approximately 10,650 yards to Black Day Beacon "33" in Hawk Channel east of Point Willie; thence southwesterly approximately 9,800 yards to Flashing White Light "35" on Mosquito Bank east of Point Charles; thence southwesterly approximately 5,400 yards to Black Day Beacon "37" (approximate Latitude 25°02′25″ N., Longitude 80°25′36″ W.), southeast of Rodriguez Key; thence southeasterly approximately 7,100 yards (pass 600 yards southwest of Flashing Light "2" at Molasses Reef) to the 60-foot depth curve (10-fathom line) 800 yards due south of said light at Molasses Reef (approximate Latitude 25°00′18″ N., Longitude 80°22′30″ W.); thence northeasterly with the 60-foot depth curve and 10-fathom line (passing easterly of French Reef, Dixie Shoal, The Elbow, and Carysfort Reef) approximately 21 miles to the point of beginning.
I call upon all persons to join in the effort to protect and preserve this natural wonder for the benefit of future generations.
The Secretary of the Interior is requested to prescribe rules and regulations governing the protection and conservation of the coral and other mineral resources in this area and to cooperate with the State of Florida and its conservation agencies in the preservation of the reef.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.
DONE at the City of Washington this fifteenth day of March in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-fourth.
[seal]