To establish the Vancouver National Historical Reserve in the State of Washington, and for other purposes.
PL 101-523 (H.R.5144), enacted 11/05/1990

PUBLIC LAW 101-523—NOV. 5, 1990 
104 STAT. 2297 
Public Law 101-523 
101st Congress 
An Act 
To provide for the study of certain historical and cultural resources located in the city 
Nov. 5, 1990 
of Vancouver, Washington, and for other purposes. 
[H.R. 5144] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. STATEMENT OF FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds that— 
(1) the city of Vancouver, Washington, has a unique array of 
contiguous historical sites which chronicle important steps in 
the settlement and development of the Northwest, including— 
(A) Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, the site of the 
Hudson's Bay Company trading post established in 1825; 
(B) Vancouver Barracks, an active military installation 
since 1849; 
(C) Officers' Row National Register Historic District, 21 
adaptively rehabilitated military officers' quarters; 
(D) Pearson Airpark, an early United States Army air-
field and one of the oldest operating airports in the country; 
and 
(E) the Columbia River, an early Northwest exploration 
and settlement corridor, including the route of the Lewis 
and Clark expedition, center of Indian trade, shipbuilding, 
and fishing; 
(2) these historical assets are owned and managed by several 
governmental entities, including the National Park Service, city 
of Vancouver, and the United States Army; 
(3) sites within the Vancouver historical area are in a state of 
transition and are the focus of various proposals and initiatives; 
(4) there is a lack of formal coordination of management or 
planning among the various entities; and 
(5) failure to coordinate the planning and management within 
the Area may result in lost opportunities to preserve and 
enhance irreplaceable historical sites and open space. 
SEC. 2. VANCOUVER HISTORICAL STUDY COMMISSION. 
(a) EsTABUSHMENT.—There is hereby established a Vancouver 
Historical Study Commission which shall study and make rec-
ommendations regarding— 
(1) the preservation, protection, enhancement, enjoyment, and 
utilization of the historic, cultural, natural, and recreational 
resources of the Area; and 
(2) the feasibility of establishing a Vancouver National 
Historical Reserve. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Commission shall consist of the following 5 
members: 
(1) The Director of the National Park Service, or his designee. 
49-139 O - 90 (523) 
104 STAT. 2298 
PUBLIC LAW 101-523—NOV. 5, 1990 
(2) One individual appointed by the Secretary of the Interior 
from recommendations submitted by the Mayor of Van-
couver to represent the city of Vancouver. 
(3) The Secretary of the Army, or his designee. 
(4) One individual appointed by the Secretary of the Interior 
from recommendations submitted by the Governor of Washing-
ton to represent the State Historic Preservation Office. 
(5) One individual appointed by the Secretary of the Interior 
to represent the general public. 
Members shall be appointed within 60 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
(c) VACANCY.—A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the 
manner in which the original appointment was made. 
(d) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Commission shall serve with-
out pay. While away from their homes or regular places of business 
in the performance of services for the Commission, members of the 
Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in 
lieu of subsistance, in the same manner as persons employed inter-
mittently in Government service are allowed expenses under section 
5703 of title 5 of the United States Code. 
(e) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairperson of the Commission shall be 
appointed by the Secretary. 
(f) QUORUM.—Three members of the Commission shall constitute a 
quorum. 
(g) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
Chairperson or a majority of its members. 
(h) STAFF.—The Secretary shall provide the Commission with such 
staff and technical assistance as the Secretary, after consultation 
with the Commission, considers appropriate to enable the Commis-
sion to carry out its duties. Upon request of the Secretary, any 
Federal agency may provide to the Commission on a reimbursable 
basis information, personnel, property, and services to assist in 
carrying out its duties under this Act. The Secretary may accept the 
services of personnel detailed from the State of Washington or any 
political subdivision of the State and may reimburse the State or 
such political subdivision for such services. The Commission may 
procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) 
of title 5, United States Code. 
(i) TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.—The Commission shall termi-
nate upon submission of the study report as provided in section 3. 
SEC. 3. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) REPORT.—(1) The Commission shall prepare a report— 
(A) specifying the results of the study required by section 2(a); 
and 
(B) containing— 
(i) an inventory and assessment of the historic, cultural, 
natural, and recreational resources located within the 
Area; 
(ii) specific preservation and interpretation goals; 
(iii) 
proposed 
alternative 
management 
strategies 
whereby the funds, data, personnel, and authorities of 
public and private entities may be coordinated; and 
(iv) recommendations concerning the continued operation 
of Pearson Airpark in a manner that will preserve and 
promote historic aviation and interpretation of the Area, 
PUBLIC LAW 101-523—NOV. 5, 1990 
104 STAT. 2299 
compatible with other historic and cultural resources of the 
Area, including Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. 
(2) In making recommendations under paragraph (l)(B)(iv), the 
Commission shall assess— 
(A) the impact of current airport operations on the preserva-
tion, use, and interpretation of historic and cultural resources 
in the Area; and 
(B) future operation of the airport undertaking such mitiga-
tion measures as may be necessary to minimize the intrusion 
on adjacent historic and cultural resources. 
OJ) DEVELOPMENT OF STUDY.— 
(1) In undertaking the study under section 2(a), the Commis-
sion shall consult on a regular basis with appropriate officials of 
any local government or Federal or State agency which has 
jurisdiction over lands and waters within the Area. 
(2) In undertaking the study under section 2(a), the Commis-
sion shall consult with interested conservation, business, profes-
sional and citizen organizations. 
(3) In undertaking the study under section 2(a), the Commis-
sion shall conduct public hearings within the Area, and at such 
other places as may be appropriate, for the purpose of providing 
interested persons with the opportunity to testify with respect 
to matters to be addressed by the study. 
(c) TRANSMITTAL OF STUDY REPORT.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit 
the report required under subsection (a) to the Secretary of the 
Interior and the Secretary of the Army. The Secretary of the 
Interior shall submit the report along with any comments or rec-
ommendations that the Secretary may wish to make to the Commit-
tee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Re-
sources of the United States Senate within 30 days after receipt of 
such report from the Commission. 
SEC. 4. DETERMINATION OF SUITABILITY OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY. 
(a) NOTIFICATION OF SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.—The Secretary 
of Defense shall notify the Secretary of the Interior upon any 
determination by the Secretary of Defense that any real property 
located at Vancouver Barracks is excess property of the Department 
of Defense. 
(b) REVIEW OF PROPERTY BY SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.—Not 
later than 90 days after receiving notification from the Secretary of 
Defense under subsection (a), the Secretary of the Interior shall— 
(1) review the property that is the subject of the notification 
with respect to the suitability of all or part of the property for 
administration by the Secretary of the Interior or the State of 
Washington or its political subdivisions; and 
(2) report to the Congress the findings of that review and 
Reports, 
recommendations for any legislation. 
SEC. 5. RESTRICTION ON DISPOSAL OR USE OF PROPERTY. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any real property 
located at Vancouver Barracks that is determined by the Secretary 
of Defense to be excess property of the Department of Defense may 
not be disposed of or used by any Federal agency before the end of 
the one-year period following submission of a report to the Congress 
regarding that property under section 4(b). 
104 STAT. 2300 
PUBLIC LAW 101-523—NOV. 5, 1990 
SEC. 6. DUTIES OF OTHER FEDERAL ENTITIES. 
Any Federal entity conducting or supporting activities directly 
affecting the Area shall— 
(1) consult with the Secretary and the Commission with re-
spect to such activities; 
(2) cooperate with the Secretary and the Commission in carry-
ing out their duties under this Act and, to the maximum extent 
practicable, coordinate such activities with the carrying out of 
such duties; and 
(8) to the maximum extent practicable, conduct or support 
such activities in a manner consistent with the provisions of 
this Act. 
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS. 
As used in this Act— 
(1) the term "Area" means the area which incorporates those 
resources listed in section (1); 
(2) the term "Commission" means the Vancouver Historical 
Study Commission established by section 2; and 
(3) the term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior. 
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out this Act. 
Approved November 5, 1990. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 5144 (S. 2771): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 101-740 (Comm. on Interior and Insular Affairs). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 101-502 accompanying S. 2771 (Comm. on Energy and 
Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 136 (1990): 
Sept. 27, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 15, S. 2771 considered in Senate; proceedings vacated and H.R. 5144 passed 
in lieu. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 26 (1990): 
Nov. 5, Presidential statement.