Pennsylvania Battlefields Protection Act of 1999

Summary: TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I: Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields      Title II: Valley Forge National Historical Park Pennsylvania Battlefields Protection Act of 1999 - Title I: Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide funds to, and enter into a cooperative management agreement with, the borough of Malvern, Pennsylvania, for the protection and preservation of the Paoli Battlefield.  Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to provide funds to, and enter into a cooperative management agreement with, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a political subdivision of the Commonwealth, or the Brandywine Conservancy, for the protection and preservation of the Brandywine Battlefield in an area generally known as the Meetinghouse Road Corridor, located in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  States that interests in land shall be acquired only from willing sellers or donors.  Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Valley Forge National Historical Park - Authorizes the Secretary, in administering the Valley Forge National Historical Park, to enter into an agreement with the Valley Forge Historical Society to facilitate the planning, construction, and operation of the Valley Forge Museum of the American Revolution on Federal land within the boundary of Valley Forge National Historical Park. Requires the agreement to provide for conveyance by the Society to the United States of all right, title, and interest in the structures to be constructed at the Park, reserving the Society's right to occupy and use them for the exhibition, preservation, and interpretation of artifacts associated with the Valley Forge story and the American Revolution.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Pennsylvania Battlefields Protection 
Act of 1999''.

               TITLE I--PAOLI AND BRANDYWINE BATTLEFIELDS

SEC. 101. PAOLI BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION.

    (a) Paoli Battlefield.--The Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter 
referred to as the ``Secretary'') is authorized to provide funds to the 
borough of Malvern, Pennsylvania, for the acquisition of the area known 
as the ``Paoli Battlefield'', located in the borough of Malvern, 
Pennsylvania, as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Paoli 
Battlefield'' numbered 80,000 and dated April 1999 (referred to in this 
title as the ``Paoli Battlefield''). The map shall be on file and 
available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the 
National Park Service.
    (b) Cooperative Agreement and Technical Assistance.--The Secretary 
shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the borough of Malvern, 
Pennsylvania, for the management by the borough of the Paoli 
Battlefield. The Secretary may provide technical assistance to the 
borough of Malvern to assure the preservation and interpretation of the 
Paoli Battlefield's resources.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $1,250,000 to carry out this section. Such funds shall be 
expended in the ratio of one dollar of Federal funds for each dollar of 
funds contributed by non-Federal sources. Any funds provided by the 
Secretary shall be subject to an agreement that provides for the 
protection of the Paoli Battlefield's resources.

SEC. 102. BRANDYWINE BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION.

    (a) Brandywine Battlefield.--
        (1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to provide funds 
    to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a political subdivision of the 
    Commonwealth, or the Brandywine Conservancy, for the acquisition, 
    protection, and preservation of land in an area generally known as 
    the Meetinghouse Road Corridor, located in Chester County, 
    Pennsylvania, as depicted on a map entitled ``Brandywine 
    Battlefield--Meetinghouse Road Corridor'', numbered 80,000 and 
    dated April 1999 (referred to in this title as the ``Brandywine 
    Battlefield''). The map shall be on file and available for public 
    inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
        (2) Willing sellers or donors.--Lands and interests in land may 
    be acquired pursuant to this section only with the consent of the 
    owner thereof.
    (b) Cooperative Agreement and Technical Assistance.--The Secretary 
shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the same entity that is 
provided funds under subsection (a) for the management by the entity of 
the Brandywine Battlefield. The Secretary may also provide technical 
assistance to the entity to assure the preservation and interpretation 
of the Brandywine Battlefield's resources.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $3,000,000 to carry out this section. Such funds shall be 
expended in the ratio of one dollar of Federal funds for each dollar of 
funds contributed by non-Federal sources. Any funds provided by the 
Secretary shall be subject to an agreement that provides for the 
protection of the Brandywine Battlefield's resources.

            TITLE II--VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

SEC. 201. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this title is to authorize the Secretary of the 
Interior to enter into an agreement with the Valley Forge Historical 
Society (hereinafter referred to as the ``Society''), to construct and 
operate a museum within the boundary of Valley Forge National 
Historical Park in cooperation with the Secretary.

SEC. 202. VALLEY FORGE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AUTHORIZATION.

    (a) Agreement Authorized.--The Secretary of the Interior, in 
administering the Valley Forge National Historical Park, is authorized 
to enter into an agreement under appropriate terms and conditions with 
the Society to facilitate the planning, construction, and operation of 
the Valley Forge Museum of the American Revolution on Federal land 
within the boundary of Valley Forge National Historical Park.
    (b) Contents and Implementation of Agreement.--An agreement entered 
into under subsection (a) shall--
        (1) authorize the Society to develop and operate the museum 
    pursuant to plans developed by the Secretary and to provide at the 
    museum appropriate and necessary programs and services to visitors 
    to Valley Forge National Historical Park related to the story of 
    Valley Forge and the American Revolution;
        (2) only be carried out in a manner consistent with the General 
    Management Plan and other plans for the preservation and 
    interpretation of the resources and values of Valley Forge National 
    Historical Park;
        (3) authorize the Secretary to undertake at the museum 
    activities related to the management of Valley Forge National 
    Historical Park, including, but not limited to, provision of 
    appropriate visitor information and interpretive facilities and 
    programs related to Valley Forge National Historical Park;
        (4) authorize the Society, acting as a private nonprofit 
    organization, to engage in activities appropriate for operation of 
    the museum that may include, but are not limited to, charging 
    appropriate fees, conducting events, and selling merchandise, 
    tickets, and food to visitors to the museum;
        (5) provide that the Society's revenues from the museum's 
    facilities and services shall be used to offset the expenses of the 
    museum's operation; and
        (6) authorize the Society to occupy the museum so constructed 
    for the term specified in the Agreement and subject to the 
    following terms and conditions:
            (A) The conveyance by the Society to the United States of 
        all right, title, and interest in the museum to be constructed 
        at Valley Forge National Historical Park.
            (B) The Society's right to occupy and use the museum shall 
        be for the exhibition, preservation, and interpretation of 
        artifacts associated with the Valley Forge story and the 
        American Revolution, to enhance the visitor experience of 
        Valley Forge National Historical Park, and to conduct 
        appropriately related activities of the Society consistent with 
        its mission and with the purposes for which the Valley Forge 
        National Historical Park was established. Such right shall not 
        be transferred or conveyed without the express consent of the 
        Secretary.
            (C) Any other terms and conditions the Secretary determines 
        to be necessary.

SEC. 203. PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION.

    Nothing in this title authorizes the Secretary or the Society to 
take any actions in derogation of the preservation and protection of 
the values and resources of Valley Forge National Historical Park. An 
agreement entered into under section 202 shall be construed and 
implemented in light of the high public value and integrity of the 
Valley Forge National Historical Park and the National Park System.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.