H. R. 4944
One Hundred Seventh Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
the twenty-third day of January, two thousand and two
An Act
To designate the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park as a
unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
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 nationally signifi-
cant Civil War landscape and antebellum plantation for the
education, inspiration, and benefit of present and future genera-
tions;
(2) tell the rich story of Shenandoah Valley history 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 Shenandoah Valley;
(3) preserve the significant historic, natural, cultural, mili-
tary, 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 interpret impor-
tant events and geographic locations within the Shenandoah
Valley Battlefields National Historic District representing key
Civil War battles in the Shenandoah Valley, including those
battlefields 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 represented the end of the Civil
War’s Shenandoah Valley campaign of 1864 and contributed
to the reelection 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 national 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
H. R. 4944—2
Heater House, and Harmony Hall (a National Historic Land-
mark) are also listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register.
(3) The Secretary of the Interior has approved the Shen-
andoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Manage-
ment Plan and the National Park Service Special Resource
Study, both of which recognized Cedar Creek Battlefield as
the most significant Civil War resource within the historic
district. The management plan, which was developed with
extensive public participation over a 3-year period and is
administered by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Founda-
tion, 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 Campaign, 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 occupies 383 acres within
the National Historic Landmark. 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. During the Civil War Belle
Grove was at the center of the decisive battle of Cedar Creek.
Belle Grove is 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, natural areas,
and waterways provide visitors with an inspiring setting of
great natural beauty. The historic, natural, cultural, military,
and scenic resources found in the Cedar Creek Battlefield and
Belle Grove Plantation areas are nationally and regionally
significant.
(7) The existing, independent, not-for-profit organizations
dedicated to the protection and interpretation of the resources
described above provide the foundation for public-private part-
nerships to further the success of protecting, preserving, and
interpreting these resources.
(8) None of these resources, sites, or stories of the Shen-
andoah Valley are protected by or interpreted within the
National Park System.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(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 entitled
‘‘Boundary Map Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Histor-
ical Park’’, numbered CEBE–80,001, and dated September 2002.
(3) PARK.—The term ‘‘Park’’ means the Cedar Creek and
Belle Grove National Historical Park established under section
5 and depicted on the Map.
H. R. 4944—3
(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 depicted on the Map.
(b) AVAILABILITY OF MAP.—The Map shall be on file and avail-
able for public inspection in the offices of the National 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 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 acquire personal
property associated with, and appropriate for, interpretation of
the Park.
(d) CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND COVENANTS.—The Secretary
is authorized to acquire conservation easements and enter into
covenants regarding lands in or adjacent to the Park from willing
sellers only. Such conservation easements and covenants shall have
the effect of protecting the scenic, natural, and historic resources
on adjacent 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 Service is author-
ized to acquire from willing sellers, land outside the Park boundary
but in close proximity to the Park, for the development of visitor,
administrative, museum, curatorial, and maintenance facilities.
SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION.
The Secretary shall administer the Park in accordance with
this Act and the provisions of law generally applicable to units
of the National Park System, including—
(1) the Act entitled ‘‘An Act to establish a National Park
Service, and for other purposes’’, approved 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 consultation with
the Commission, shall prepare a management plan for the Park.
In particular, the management plan shall contain provisions to
address the needs of owners of non-Federal land, including inde-
pendent 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
H. R. 4944—4
submit the management plan for the Park to the Committee on
Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.
SEC. 9. CEDAR CREEK AND BELLE GROVE NATIONAL HISTORICAL
PARK ADVISORY COMMISSION.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the Cedar Creek and
Belle Grove National Historical Park Advisory Commission.
(b) DUTIES.—The Commission shall—
(1) advise the Secretary in the preparation and implementa-
tion of a general management plan described in section 8;
and
(2) advise the Secretary with respect to the identification
of sites of significance outside the Park boundary deemed nec-
essary to fulfill the purposes of this Act.
(c) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Commission shall be composed of
15 members appointed by the Secretary so as to include the
following:
(A) 1 representative from the Commonwealth of Vir-
ginia.
(B) 1 representative each from the local governments
of Strasburg, Middletown, Frederick County, Shenandoah
County, and Warren County.
(C) 2 representatives of private landowners within the
Park.
(D) 1 representative from a citizen interest group.
(E) 1 representative from the Cedar Creek Battlefield
Foundation.
(F) 1 representative from Belle Grove, Incorporated.
(G) 1 representative from the National Trust for His-
toric Preservation.
(H) 1 representative from the Shenandoah Valley
Battlefields Foundation.
(I) 1 ex-officio representative from the National 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 original appointment
was made.
(4) TERMS OF SERVICE.—
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Each member shall be appointed
for a term of 3 years and may be reappointed for not
more than 2 successive terms.
(B) INITIAL MEMBERS.—Of the members first appointed
under paragraph (1), the Secretary 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.
H. R. 4944—5
(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 quar-
terly 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. Mem-
bers 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 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 inter-
mittently in the Government service are allowed expenses under
section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
(f) HEARINGS; PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT.—The Commission 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 Secretary and
the Commission shall encourage conservation of the historic and
natural resources within and in proximity of the Park by land-
owners, local governments, organizations, and businesses.
(b) PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary may
provide technical assistance to local governments, 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 maximum extent practicable, coordi-
nate 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 participation in order
to consider the views of all interested parties.
SEC. 11. ENDOWMENT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the provisions of sub-
section (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 referred to in
subsection (a) shall be expended exclusively as the Secretary, in
consultation with the Commission, may designate for the interpreta-
tion, preservation, and maintenance of the Park resources and
public access areas. No expenditure shall be made pursuant to
this section unless the Secretary determines that such expenditure
is consistent with the purposes of this Act.
H. R. 4944—6
SEC. 12. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to further the purposes of this Act,
the Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements
with interested public and private entities and individuals
(including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Belle Grove,
Inc., the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, the Shenandoah
Valley Battlefields Foundation, and the Counties of Frederick, Shen-
andoah, 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 governmental entity tech-
nical 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 landscape of the
Park.
(3) Local preservation planning, interpretation, and
management of public visitation for the Park.
(4) Furthering the goals of the Shenandoah Valley Battle-
fields Foundation related to the Park.
SEC. 13. ROLES OF KEY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—In recognition that central portions of the
Park are presently owned and operated for the benefit of the public
by key partner organizations, the Secretary shall acknowledge and
support the continued participation of these partner organizations
in the management of the Park.
(b) PARK PARTNERS.—Roles of the current key partners include
the following:
(1) CEDAR CREEK BATTLEFIELD FOUNDATION.—The Cedar
Creek Battlefield Foundation may—
(A) continue to own, operate, and manage the lands
acquired by the Foundation within the Park;
(B) continue to conduct reenactments and other events
within the Park; and
(C) transfer ownership interest in portions of their
land to the National Park Service by donation, sale, or
other means that meet the legal requirements of National
Park Service land acquisitions.
(2) NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND BELLE
GROVE
INCORPORATED.—The National Trust for Historic
Preservation and Belle Grove Incorporated may continue to
own, operate, and manage Belle Grove Plantation and its struc-
tures and grounds within the Park boundary. Belle Grove Incor-
porated may continue to own the house and grounds known
as Bowman’s Fort or Harmony Hall for the purpose of perma-
nent preservation, with a long-term goal of opening the property
to the public.
(3) SHENANDOAH COUNTY.—Shenandoah County may con-
tinue to own, operate, and manage the Keister park site within
the Park for the benefit of the public.
(4) PARK
COMMUNITY
PARTNERS.—The Secretary shall
cooperate with the Park’s adjacent historic towns of Strasburg
and Middletown, Virginia, as well as Frederick, Shenandoah,
and Warren counties in furthering the purposes of the Park.
H. R. 4944—7
(5) SHENANDOAH VALLEY BATTLEFIELDS FOUNDATION.—The
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation may continue to
administer and manage the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields
National Historic District in partnership with the National
Park Service and in accordance with the Management Plan
for the District in which the Park is located.
SEC. 14. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as are nec-
essary to carry out this Act.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.