Omnibus Insular Areas Act of 1992
PL 102-247 (H.R.2927), enacted 02/24/1992

PUBLIC LAW 102-247—FEB. 24, 1992 
106 STAT. 33 
Public Law 102-247 
102d Congress 
An Act 
To provide for the establishment of the St. Croix, Virgin Islands Historical Park and 
Feb. 24,1992 
Ecological Preserve, and for other purposes. 
[H.R. 2927] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
A S S ? A ^ ^ S 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
1992.^ 
16 u s e 410tt 
This Act may be cited as the "Omnibus Insxilar Areas Act of note. 
1992". 
TITLE I—SALT RIVER BAY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK Salt River Bay 
AND ECOLOGICAL PRESERVE AT ST. CROIX, VIRGIN JJScilPark 
ISLANDS 
and Ecological 
Pr6S6I*V6 &
.
1
/ S^ 
SEC. 101, SHORT TITLE. 
Croix, Virgin 
- _ 
u
,
_ 
__. 
TsidTiuS .n.cii Or 
This title may be cited as the "Salt River Bay Nationgil Historical 1992. ' 
Park and EcologiceQ Preserve at St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Act 16 USC 4l0tt 
of 1992". 
note. 
SEC. 102. FINDINGS. 
16 USC 410tt. 
The Congress finds that the Salt River Bay area of the north 
central coast of St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands— 
(1) has been inhabited, possibly as feir back as 2000 B.C., 
and encompasses all major cultural periods in the United States 
Virgin Islands; 
(2) contains the only ceremonial ball court ever discovered 
in the Lesser Antilles, village middens, and buried grounds 
which can provide evidence for the interpretation of Caribbean 
life prior to Columbus; 
(3) is the only known site where members of the Columbus 
expeditions set foot on what is now United States territory; 
(4) was a focal point of various European attempts to colonize 
the area during the post-Columbian period and contains sites 
of Spanish, French, Dutch, English, and Danish settlements, 
including Fort Sale, one of the few remaining earthwork for-
tifications in the Western Hemisphere; 
(5) presents an outstanding opportunity to preserve and inter-
pret C£iribbe£m history and culture, including the impact of 
European exploration and settlement; 
(6) has been a nationgJ natural landmark since February 
1980 and has been nominated for acquisition as a nationally 
significant wildlife habitat; 
(7) contains the largest remaining mangrove forest in the 
United States Virgin Islands and a variety of tropical marine 
£ind terrestrial ecosystems which should be preserved and kept 
unimpaired for the benefit of present and fiiture generations; 
and 
(8) is worthy of a comprehensive preservation effort that 
should be carried out in partnership between the Federal Gov-
ernment and the Government of the United States Virgin 
Islands. 
59-194 0—93 
3 : QL 3 (Pt. 1) 
106 STAT. 34 
PUBLIC LAW 102-247—FEB. 24, 1992 
16 use 410tt-l. 
SEC. 103. SALT mVER BAY NATIONAL fflSTORICAL PARK AND 
ECOLOGICAL PRESERVE AT ST. CROIX, VIRGIN ISLANDS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—In order to preserve, protect, and interpret 
for the benefit of present and future generations certain nationally 
significant historical, cultural, and natural sites and resources in 
the Virgin Islands, there is established the Salt River Bay National 
Historical Park and Ecological Preserve at St. Croix, Virgin Islands 
(hereafter in this Act referred to as the "park"). 
(b) AREA INCLUDED.—^The park shsill consist of approximately 
912 acres of land, waters, submerged lands, and interests therein 
within the area generally depicted on the map entitled "Salt River 
Study Area—^Alternative 'C'" in the "Alternatives Study and 
Environmental Assessment for the Columbus Landing Site, St. 
Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands", prepared by the National Park Service 
and dated June 1990. The map shall be on file and available 
for public inspection in the offices of the National Park Service, 
Department of the Interior, and the Offices of the Lieutenant Gov-
ernor of St. Thomas and St. Croix, Virgin Islands. 
16 use 410tt-2. 
SEC. 104. ACQUISITION OF LAND. 
(a) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of the Interior (hereafter 
in this title referred to as the "Secretary") may acquire land and 
interests in land within the boundaries of the park by donation, 
purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange. Nothing 
in this section shedl be construed to prohibit the Government of 
the United States Virgin Islands from acquiring land or interest 
in land within the boundaries of the park. 
(b) LIMITATIONS ON AUTHORITY.—Lands, and interests in lands, 
within the boundaries of the park which are owned by the United 
States Virgin Islands, or any political subdivision thereof, may 
be acquired only by donation or exchange. No lands, or interests 
therein, containing dwellings lying within the park boundary as 
of July 1, 1991, may be acquired without the consent of the owner, 
unless the Secretary determines, after consultation with the Govern-
ment of the United States Virgin Islands, that the land is being 
developed or proposed to be developed in a manner which is det-
rimental to the natural, scenic, historic, and other values for which 
the park was established. 
16 use 410tt-3. 
SEC. 105. ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^The park shsdl be administered in accordance 
with this title and with the provisions of law generally applicable 
to units of the national park system, including, but not limited 
to, the Act entitled "An Act to establish a National Park Service, 
and for other purposes", approved August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; 
16 U.S.C. 1, 2-4) and the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; 
16 U.S.C. 461-467). In the case of any conflict between the provi-
sions of this Act and such generally applicable provisions of law, 
the provisions of this Act shall govern. 
(b) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—^The Secretary, after consulting 
with the Salt River Bay National Historiceil Park and Ecological 
Preserve at St. Croix, Virgin IslEinds, Commission (hereafter in 
this Act referred to as the "Commission") established by section 
106 of this title, is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements 
with the United States Virgin Islands, or any political subdivision 
thereof, for the management of the park and for other purposes. 
PUBLIC LAW 102-247—FEB. 24, 1992 
106 STAT. 35 
(c) GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN.—(1) Not later than 3 years 
after the date funds £ire made available for this subsection, the 
Secretary, in consultation with the Commission, and with public 
involvement, shall develop and submit to the Committee on Energy 
and Nat\ir£d Resources of the United States Senate and the Commit-
tee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States House 
of Representatives a general management plan for the park. The 
general memagement plan shedl describe the appropriate protection, 
management, uses, and development of the park consistent with 
the purposes of this title. 
(2) The general management plan shall include, but not be limited 
to, the following: 
(A) Plans for implementation of a continuing program of 
interpretation and visitor education about the resources and 
values of the park. 
(B) ProposEils for visitor use facilities to be developed for 
the park. 
(C) Plans for management of the natural and culturgJ 
resources of the park, with partic\ilar emphasis on the preserva-
tion of both the cultural and natioral resources and long-term 
scientific 
study of terrestricd, marine, and 
archeological 
resources, giving high priority to the enforcement of the provi-
sions of the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 
(16 U.S.C. 470aa et seq.) and the Nationsd Historic Preservation 
Act (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.) within the park. The natural and 
cultural resources management plans shall be prepared in con-
siiltation with the Virgin Islands Division of Archeology and 
Historic Preservation. 
(D) Proposals for assessing the potential operation and supply 
of 
park 
concessions 
by 
qualified 
Virgin 
Islands-owned 
businesses. 
(E) Plans for the training of personnel in accordance with 
subsection (e). 
(d) TRAINING ASSISTANCE.—During the 10-year period beginning 
on the date of enactment of this title, the Secretary shall, subject 
to appropriations, provide the funds for the employees of the Gov-
ernment of the United States Virgin Islands directly engaged in 
the joint management of the park and shall implement, in con-
sultation with the Government of the United States Virgin Islands, 
a program under which Virgin Islands citizens may be trained 
in all phases of park operations and management: Provided, how-
ever. That in no event shall the Secreteiry provide more than 50 
percent of the funding for such purposes. A primary objective of 
the program shall be to train employees in the skills necessary 
for operating and managing a Virgin Islands Territorial Park 
System. 
SEC. 106. SALT RIVER BAY NATIONAL HISTORICAL 
PARK AND 16 USC 410tt-4. 
ECOLOGICAL PRESERVE AT ST. CROIX, VIRGIN ISLANDS, 
COMMISSION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—^There is established a conmiission to be 
known as the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and 
Ecological Preserve at St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Commission. 
(b) DUTIES.—^The Commission shsdl— 
(1) m£ike recommendations on how all lands and waters 
within the boundaries of the park can be jointly managed 
106 STAT. 36 
PUBLIC LAW 102-247—FEB. 24, 1992 
by the governments of the United States Virgin Islands and 
the United States in accordance with this title; 
(2) consult with the Secretary on the development of the 
general management plan required by section 105 of this title; 
and 
(3) provide advice and recommendations to the Government 
of the United States Virgin Islands, upon request of the Govern-
ment of the United States Virgin Isl£inds. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.—^The Commission shall be composed of 10 mem-
bers, as follows: 
(1) The Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, or 
the designee of the Governor. 
(2) The Secretary, or the designee of the Secretary. 
(3) Foiu" members appointed by the Secretary. 
(4) Four members appointed by the Secretary from a list 
provided by the Governor of the United States Virgin Islemds, 
at least one of whom sheJl be a member of the Legislature 
of the United States Virgin Isleinds. 
Initial appointments made under this subsection shsdl be made 
within 120 days after the date of enactment of this title, except 
that the appointments made under paragraph (4) shall be made 
within 120 days after the date on which the Secretary receives 
such list. 
(d) TERMS.—^The members appointed under paragraphs (3) and 
(4) shall be appointed for terms of 4 years. A member of the 
Commission appointed for a definite term may serve after the 
expiration of the member's term until a successor is appointed. 
A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the same manner 
in which the original appointment w£is made £ind shall be filled 
within 60 days after the expiration of the term. 
(e) CHAIR.—^The Chair of the Conmiission shall alternate annually 
between the Secretary and the Governor of the United States Virgin 
Islands. All other officers of the Commission shall be elected by 
a majority of the members of the Commission to serve for terms 
established by the Commission. 
(f) MEETINGS.—^The Commission shall meet on a regular basis 
Federal 
or at the call of the Chair. Notice of meetings and agenda shall 
^^*^t' 
^® published in the Federal Register and local newspapers having 
pu ica ion. 
^ distribution that generally covers the United States Virgin 
Islands. Commission meetings shall be held at locations and in 
such a manner as to ensure adequate public involvement. 
(g) EXPENSES.—Members of the Commission shall serve without 
compensation as such, but the Secretary may pay each member 
of the Commission travel expenses, including per diem in lieu 
of subsistence, in accordcince with section 5703 of title 5, United 
States Code. Members of the Commission who are full-time officers 
or employees of the United States or the Virgin Isleuids Government 
may not receive additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason 
of their service on the Commission. The Secreteiry shall provide 
the Commission with a budget for travel expenses and staff, and 
guidelines by which expenditures shall be accoimted for. 
Oi) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—Except with respect 
to the provisions of section 14(b) of the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act, and except as otherwise provided in this title, the provisions 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply 
to the Commission. 
PUBLIC LAW 102-247—FEB. 24, 1992 
106 STAT. 37 
(i) TERMINATION.—^The Commission shall terminate 10 years after 
the date of enactment of this title unless the Secretary determines 
that it is necessary to continue consulting with the Commission 
in carrying out the purposes of this title. 
SEC. 107. AUTHOraZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
16 USC 410tt-5. 
There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out this title. 
TITLE II—INSULAR AREAS DISASTER SURVIVAL AND 
RECOVERY 
SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. 
42 USC 5204. 
As used in this title— 
(1) the term "insular area" means any of the following: Amer-
ican Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the 
Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust 
Territory of the Pacific Islands, and the Virgin Islands; 
(2) the term "disaster" means a declaration of a major disaster 
by the President after September 1, 1989, pursuant to section 
401 of the Robert T. Sts^ord Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170); and 
(3) the term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior. 
SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION. 
42 USC 5204a. 
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
such sums as may be necessary to— 
(1) reconstruct essential public facilities damaged by disasters 
in the insular areas that occurred prior to the date of the 
enactment of this Act; and 
(2) enhance the survivability of essential public facilities in 
the event of disasters in the insular areas, 
except that with respect to the disaster declared by the Pi-esident 
in the case of Hurricane Hugo, September 1989, amounts for any 
fiscal year shall not exceed 25 percent of the estimated aggregate 
amount of grants to be made under sections 403 and 406 of The 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5170b, 5172) for such disaster. Such sirais shall remain 
available \intil expended. 
SEC. 203. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. 
42 USC 5204b. 
(a) Upon the declaration by the President of a disaster in an President, 
insular area, the President, acting through the Director of the 
Federal Emergency Meinagement Agency, shall assess, in coopera-
tion with the Secretary and chief executive of such insular area, 
the capability of the insul£ir government to respond to the disaster, 
including the capability to assess damage; coordinate activities with 
Federal agencies, particularly the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency; develop recovery plans, including recommendations for 
enhancing the survivability of essentigil infirastructure; negotiate 
and mginage reconstruction contracts; and prevent the misuse of 
funds. If the President finds that the insular government lacks 
any of these or other capabilities essential to the recovery effort, 
then the President shall provide technical assistance to the insular 
area which the President deems necessary for the recovery effort. 
(b) One year following the declaration by the President of a 
Reports, 
disaster in an insular area, the Secretary, in consultation with 
the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall 
42 use 5204c. 
106 STAT. 38 
PUBLIC LAW 102-247—FEB. 24, 1992 
submit to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
and the House Committee on Interior £ind Insular Affairs a report 
on the status of the recovery effort, including an audit of Federal 
funds .expended in the recovery effort and recommendations on 
how to improve public health and safety, survivability of infrastruc-
ture, recovery efforts, and effective use of funds in the event of 
future disasters. 
SEC. 204. HAZARD MITIGATION. 
The total of contributions under the last sentence of section 
404 of The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist-
£mce Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c) for the insular areas shall not exceed 
10 percent of the estimated aggregate amounts of greints to be 
made \inder sections 403, 406, 407, 408, and 411 of such Act 
for any disaster: Provided, That the President shall require a 50 
percent local match for assistance in excess of 10 percent of the 
estimated aggregate amount of grants to be made under section 
406 of such Act for any disaster. 
SEC. 205. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT. 
Paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 102 of The Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122) 
are each amended by inserting after "Americcm Samoa," the fol-
lowing: "the Northern Mariana Islands,". 
TITLE III—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
President. 
Reports. 
48 use 1469e. 
SEC. 301. AMERICAN SAMOA WATER AND POWER STUDY. 
(a) The Secretary of the Interior shsdl undertake a comprehensive 
study, or as appropriate review and update existing studies, to 
determine the current and long-term water, power, and wastewater 
needs of Americein Samoa. Such study shall be conducted in con-
siiltation with the American Samoa government, and in consultation 
with those Federal agencies which have recent experience with 
the water, power and wastewater needs of American Samoa. 
(b) The Secretary of the Interior shall report the results of this 
study to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
United States Senate and the Committee on Interior and Insular 
Affairs of the United States House of Representatives, before 
December 31, 1992. The report shall include— 
(1) an assessment of the water, power and wastewater needs 
of Americsm Samoa both currently, and for the year 2000; 
(2) an assessment of, and recommendations regarding, how 
these needs can be met; 
(3) an assessment of, and recommendations regarding, any 
additional legal authority or funding which may be necessary 
to meet these needs; and 
(4) an assessment of, and recommendations regarding, the 
respective roles of the Federal and American Samoa govern-
ments in meeting these needs. 
SEC. 302. INSULAR GOVERNMENT PURCHASES. 
The Governments of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mari-
ana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and the 
Virgin Islands are authorized to make purchases through the Gen-
eral Services Administration. 
PUBLIC LAW 102-247—FEB. 24, 1992 
106 STAT. 39 
SEC. 303. FREELY ASSOCIATED STATE CARRIER. 
Transportation. 
(a) In furtherance of the objectives of the Compact of Free Associa- 
j^^^ 
tion Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-239) and notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, a Freely Associated State Air Carrier shall 
not be precluded from providing transportation, between a place 
in the United States and a place in a state in free association 
with the United States or between two places in such a freely 
associated state, by air of persons (and their personal effects) and 
property procured, contracted for, or otherwise obtained by any 
executive department or other agency or instrumentality of the 
United States for its own account or in furtherance of the pxirposes 
or pursuant to the terms of any contract, agreement, or other 
specied arrangement made or entered into under which payment 
is made by the United States or pajmaent is made from funds 
appropriated, owned, controlled, grcmted, or conditionally granted, 
or utilized by or otherwise established for the account of the United 
States, or shsdl be furnished to or for the accoiint of any foreign 
nation, or any international agency, or other organization of what-
ever nationality, without provisions for reimbursement. 
(b) The term "Freely Associated State Air Carrier" shall apply 
exclusively to a carrier referred to in Article IX(5)(b) of the Federal 
Programs and Services Agreement concluded pursuant to Article 
II of Title Two and Section 232 of the Compact of Free Association. 
SEC. 304. MARSHALL ISLANDS FOOD ASSISTANCE. 
Section 103(h)(2) of the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985 
(48 U.S.C. 1681 note) is amended by striking out "five" and inserting 
in lieu thereof "ten". 
SEC. 305. NORTHERN MARIANAS COLLEGE. 
Section 9(a) of Public Law 99-396 is amended by striking out ^ USC 301 note, 
the period at the end and inserting in lieu thereof the following: 
"and in subsection (b), by striking out 'and Micronesia' each place 
it appears and inserting in lieu thereof 'Micronesia, and the North-
em Marigma Islands' and by striking out 'and to Micronesia' and 
inserting in lieu thereof', Micronesia, and to the Northern Mariana 
Islands'.". 
Approved February 24, 1992. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 2927: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 102-285 (Comm. on Interior and Insular Affairs). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 102-243 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 137 (1991): Nov. 5, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 138 (1992): Jan. 31, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Feb. 4, House concurred in Senate amendment. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENITAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 28 (1992): 
Feb. 24, Presidential statement.