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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Cedar Creek and Belle 
Grove National Historical Park Act’’. 
SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this Act is to establish the Cedar 
Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park in order 
to—
(1) help preserve, protect, and interpret a na-
tionally significant Civil War landscape and ante-
bellum plantation for the education, inspiration, and 
benefit of present and future generations; 
(2) tell the rich story of Shenandoah Valley his-
tory from early settlement through the Civil War 
and beyond, and the Battle of Cedar Creek and its 
significance in the conduct of the war in the Shen-
andoah Valley; 
(3) preserve the significant historic, natural, 
cultural, military, and scenic resources found in the 
Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation 
areas through partnerships with local landowners 
and the community; and 
(4) serve as a focal point to recognize and inter-
pret important events and geographic locations with-
in the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National His-
toric District representing key Civil War battles in 
the Shenandoah Valley, including those battlefields
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associated with the Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson 
campaign of 1862 and the decisive campaigns of 
1864. 
SEC. 3. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The Battle of Cedar Creek, also known as 
the battle of Belle Grove, was a major event of the 
Civil War and the history of this country. It rep-
resented the end of the Civil War’s Shenandoah Val-
ley campaign of 1864 and contributed to the reelec-
tion of President Abraham Lincoln and the eventual 
outcome of the war. 
(2) 2,500 acres of the Cedar Creek Battlefield 
and Belle Grove Plantation were designated a na-
tional historic landmark in 1969 because of their 
ability to illustrate and interpret important eras and 
events in the history of the United States. The 
Cedar Creek Battlefield, Belle Grove Manor House, 
the Heater House, and Harmony Hall (a National 
Historic Landmark) are also listed on the Virginia 
Landmarks Register. 
(3) The Secretary of the Interior has approved 
the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National His-
toric District Management Plan and the National 
Park Service Special Resource Study, both of which
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recognized Cedar Creek Battlefield as the most sig-
nificant Civil War resource within the historic dis-
trict. The management plan, which was developed 
with extensive public participation over a 3-year pe-
riod and is administered by the Shenandoah Valley 
Battlefields Foundation, recommends that Cedar 
Creek Battlefield be established as a new unit of the 
National Park System. 
(4) The Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, 
organized in 1988 to preserve and interpret the 
Cedar Creek Battlefield and the 1864 Valley Cam-
paign, has acquired 308 acres of land within the 
boundaries of the National Historic Landmark. The 
foundation annually hosts a major reenactment and 
living history event on the Cedar Creek Battlefield. 
(5) Belle Grove Plantation is a Historic Site of 
the National Trust for Historic Preservation that oc-
cupies 383 acres within the National Historic Land-
mark. The Belle Grove Manor House was built by 
Isaac Hite, a Revolutionary War patriot married to 
the sister of President James Madison, who was a 
frequent visitor at Belle Grove. President Thomas 
Jefferson assisted with the design of the house. Dur-
ing the Civil War Belle Grove was at the center of 
the decisive battle of Cedar Creek. Belle Grove is
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managed locally by Belle Grove, Incorporated, and 
has been open to the public since 1967. The house 
has remained virtually unchanged since it was built 
in 1797, offering visitors an experience of the life 
and times of the people who lived there in the 18th 
and 19th centuries. 
(6) The panoramic views of the mountains, nat-
ural areas, and waterways provide visitors with an 
inspiring setting of great natural beauty. The his-
toric, natural, cultural, military, and scenic re-
sources found in the Cedar Creek Battlefield and 
Belle Grove Plantation areas are nationally and re-
gionally significant. 
(7) The existing, independent, not-for-profit or-
ganizations dedicated to the protection and interpre-
tation of the resources described above provide the 
foundation for public-private partnerships to further 
the success of protecting, preserving, and inter-
preting these resources. 
(8) None of these resources, sites, or stories of 
the Shenandoah Valley are protected by or inter-
preted within the National Park System. 
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act:
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(1) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National 
Historical Park Advisory Commission established by 
section 9. 
(2) MAP.—The term ‘‘Map’’ means the map en-
titled ‘‘Boundary Map Cedar Creek and Belle Grove 
National 
Historical 
Park’’, 
numbered 
CEBE–
80,001, and dated September 2002. 
(3) PARK.—The term ‘‘Park’’ means the Cedar 
Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park es-
tablished under section 5 and depicted on the Map. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF CEDAR CREEK AND BELLE 
GROVE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the 
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, 
consisting of approximately 3,000 acres, as generally de-
picted on the Map. 
(b) AVAILABILITY OF MAP.—The Map shall be on file 
and available for public inspection in the offices of the Na-
tional Park Service, Department of the Interior. 
SEC. 6. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY. 
(a) REAL PROPERTY.—The Secretary may acquire 
land or interests in land within the boundaries of the
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Park, from willing sellers only, by donation, purchase with 
donated or appropriated funds, or exchange. 
(b) BOUNDARY REVISION.—After acquiring land for 
the Park, the Secretary shall—
(1) revise the boundary of the Park to include 
newly acquired land within the boundary; and 
(2) administer newly acquired land subject to 
applicable laws (including regulations). 
(c) PERSONAL PROPERTY.—The Secretary may ac-
quire personal property associated with, and appropriate 
for, interpretation of the Park. 
(d) CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND COVENANTS.—
The Secretary is authorized to acquire conservation ease-
ments and enter into covenants regarding lands in or adja-
cent to the Park from willing sellers only. Such conserva-
tion easements and covenants shall have the effect of pro-
tecting the scenic, natural, and historic resources on adja-
cent lands and preserving the natural or historic setting 
of the Park when viewed from within or outside the Park. 
(e) SUPPORT FACILITIES.—The National Park Serv-
ice is authorized to acquire from willing sellers, land out-
side the Park boundary but in close proximity to the Park, 
for the development of visitor, administrative, museum, 
curatorial, and maintenance facilities.
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SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION. 
The Secretary shall administer the Park in accord-
ance with this Act and the provisions of law generally ap-
plicable to units of the National Park System, including—
(1) the Act entitled ‘‘An Act to establish a Na-
tional Park Service, and for other purposes’’, ap-
proved August 25, 1916 (16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); and 
(2) the Act entitled ‘‘An Act to provide for the 
preservation of historic American sites, buildings, 
objects, and antiquities of national significance, and 
for other purposes’’, approved August 21, 1935 (16 
U.S.C. 461 et seq.). 
SEC. 8. MANAGEMENT OF PARK. 
(a) MANAGEMENT PLAN.—The Secretary, in con-
sultation with the Commission, shall prepare a manage-
ment plan for the Park. In particular, the management 
plan shall contain provisions to address the needs of own-
ers of non-Federal land, including independent nonprofit 
organizations within the boundaries of the Park. 
(b) SUBMISSION OF PLAN TO CONGRESS.—Not later 
than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall submit the management plan for the 
Park to the Committee on Resources of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate.
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(D) 1 representative from a citizen interest 
group. 
(E) 1 representative from the Cedar Creek 
Battlefield Foundation. 
(F) 1 representative from Belle Grove, In-
corporated. 
(G) 1 representative from the National 
Trust for Historic Preservation. 
(H) 1 representative from the Shenandoah 
Valley Battlefields Foundation. 
(I) 1 ex-officio representative from the Na-
tional Park Service. 
(J) 1 ex-officio representative from the 
United States Forest Service. 
(2) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairperson of the 
Commission shall be elected by the members to serve 
a term of one year renewable for one additional year. 
(3) VACANCIES.—A vacancy on the Commission 
shall be filled in the same manner in which the origi-
nal appointment was made. 
(4) TERMS OF SERVICE.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Each member shall be 
appointed for a term of 3 years and may be re-
appointed for not more than 2 successive terms.
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(B) INITIAL MEMBERS.—Of the members 
first appointed under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary shall appoint—
(i) 4 members for a term of 1 year; 
(ii) 5 members for a term of 2 years; 
and 
(iii) 6 members for a term of 3 years. 
(5) EXTENDED
SERVICE.—A member may 
serve after the expiration of that member’s term 
until a successor has taken office. 
(6) MAJORITY
RULE.—The Commission shall 
act and advise by affirmative vote of a majority of 
its members. 
(7) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at 
least quarterly at the call of the chairperson or a 
majority of the members of the Commission. 
(8) QUORUM.—8 members shall constitute a 
quorum. 
(d) COMPENSATION.—Members shall serve without 
pay. Members who are full-time officers or employees of 
the United States, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or any 
political subdivision thereof shall receive no additional pay 
on account of their service on the Commission. 
(e) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—While away from their 
homes or regular places of business in the performance
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of service for the Commission, members shall be allowed 
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
in the same manner as persons employed intermittently 
in the Government service are allowed expenses under sec-
tion 5703 of title 5, United States Code. 
(f) HEARINGS; PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT.—The Com-
mission may, for purposes of carrying out this Act, hold 
such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take 
such public testimony, and receive such evidence, as the 
Commission considers appropriate. The Commission may 
not issue subpoenas or exercise any subpoena authority. 
SEC. 10. CONSERVATION OF CEDAR CREEK AND BELLE 
GROVE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK. 
(a) ENCOURAGEMENT OF CONSERVATION.—The Sec-
retary and the Commission shall encourage conservation 
of the historic and natural resources within and in prox-
imity of the Park by landowners, local governments, orga-
nizations, and businesses. 
(b) PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The 
Secretary may provide technical assistance to local govern-
ments, in cooperative efforts which complement the values 
of the Park. 
(c) COOPERATION
BY FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Any 
Federal entity conducting or supporting activities directly 
affecting the Park shall consult, cooperate, and, to the
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maximum extent practicable, coordinate its activities with 
the Secretary in a manner that—
(1) is consistent with the purposes of this Act 
and the standards and criteria established pursuant 
to the general management plan developed pursuant 
to section 8; 
(2) is not likely to have an adverse effect on the 
resources of the Park; and 
(3) is likely to provide for full public participa-
tion in order to consider the views of all interested 
parties. 
SEC. 11. ENDOWMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the provisions 
of subsection (b), the Secretary is authorized to receive 
and expend funds from an endowment to be established 
with the National Park Foundation, or its successors and 
assigns. 
(b) CONDITIONS.—Funds from the endowment re-
ferred to in subsection (a) shall be expended exclusively 
as the Secretary, in consultation with the Commission, 
may designate for the interpretation, preservation, and 
maintenance of the Park resources and public access 
areas. No expenditure shall be made pursuant to this sec-
tion unless the Secretary determines that such expenditure 
is consistent with the purposes of this Act.
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SEC. 12. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to further the purposes 
of this Act, the Secretary is authorized to enter into coop-
erative agreements with interested public and private enti-
ties and individuals (including the National Trust for His-
toric Preservation, Belle Grove, Inc., the Cedar Creek Bat-
tlefield Foundation, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields 
Foundation, and the Counties of Frederick, Shenandoah, 
and Warren), through technical and financial assistance, 
including encouraging the conservation of historic and 
natural resources of the Park. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—The 
Secretary may provide to any person, organization, or gov-
ernmental entity technical and financial assistance for the 
purposes of this Act, including the following: 
(1) Preserving historic structures within the 
Park. 
(2) Maintaining the natural or cultural land-
scape of the Park. 
(3) Local preservation planning, interpretation, 
and management of public visitation for the Park. 
(4) Furthering the goals of the Shenandoah 
Valley Battlefields Foundation related to the Park. 
SEC. 13. ROLES OF KEY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In recognition that central por-
tions of the Park are presently owned and operated for
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Grove Incorporated may continue to own the house 
and grounds known as Bowman’s Fort or Harmony 
Hall for the purpose of permanent preservation, with 
a long-term goal of opening the property to the pub-
lic. 
(3) 
SHENANDOAH
COUNTY.—Shenandoah 
County may continue to own, operate, and manage 
the Keister park site within the Park for the benefit 
of the public. 
(4) PARK
COMMUNITY
PARTNERS.—The Sec-
retary shall cooperate with the Park’s adjacent his-
toric towns of Strasburg and Middletown, Virginia, 
as well as Frederick, Shenandoah, and Warren coun-
ties in furthering the purposes of the Park. 
(5) 
SHENANDOAH
VALLEY
BATTLEFIELDS 
FOUNDATION.—The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields 
Foundation may continue to administer and manage 
the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National His-
toric District in partnership with the National Park 
Service and in accordance with the Management 
Plan for the District in which the Park is located.
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SEC. 14. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as 
are necessary to carry out this Act.
Passed the House of Representatives October 1, 
2002. 
Attest: 
JEFF TRANDAHL, 
Clerk.