Vicksburg Campaign Trail Battlefields Preservation Act of 2000
PL 106-487 (S.710), enacted 11/09/2000

114 STAT. 2202 
PUBLIC LAW 106-487—NOV. 9, 2000 
Public Law 106-487 
106th Congress 
An Act 
Nov. 9, 2000 
To authorize a feasibility study on the preservation of certain Civil War battlefields 
[S. 710] 
along the Vicksburg Campaign Trail. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of 
Vicksburg 
the United States of America in Congress assembled. 
Campaign Trail 
Battlefields 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
oflooa^ ^°^ ^ 
This Act may be cited as the "Vicksburg Campaign Trail Battle-
State Usting. 
fields 
Preservation Act of 2000". 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) there are situated along the Vicksburg Campaign Trail 
in the States of Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Ten-
nessee the sites of several key Civil War battles; 
(2) the battlefields along the Vicksburg Campaign Trail 
are collectively of national significance in the history of the 
Civil War; and 
(3) the preservation of those battlefields would vitally con-
tribute to the understanding of the heritage of the United 
States. 
(b) PURPOSE.—^The purpose of this Act is to authorize a feasi-
bility study to determine what measures should be taken to preserve 
certain Civil War battlefields along the Vicksburg Campaign Trail. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) CAMPAIGN TRAIL STATE.—^The term "Campaign Trail 
State" means each of the States of Mississippi, Louisiana, 
Arkansas, and Tennessee, including political subdivisions of 
those States. 
(2) CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD.—The term "Civil War battle-
field" includes the following sites (including related structures 
adjacent to or thereon)— 
(A) the battlefields at Helena and Arkansas Post, 
Arkansas; 
(B) Goodrich's Landing near Transylvania, and sites 
in and around Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, Lou-
isiana; 
(C) the battlefield at Milliken's Bend, Madison Parish, 
Louisiana; 
(D) the route of Grant's march through Louisiana from 
Milliken's Bend to Hard Times, Madison and Tensas Par-
ishes, Louisiana; 
(E) the Winter Quarters at Tensas Parish, Louisiana; 
PUBLIC LAW 106-487—NOV. 9, 2000 
114 STAT. 2203 
(F) Grant's landing site at Bruinsburg, and the route 
of Grant's march from Bruinsburg to Vicksburg, Claiborne, 
Hinds, and Warren Counties, Mississippi; 
(G) the battlefield at Port Gibson (including Shaifer 
House, Bethel Church, and the ruins of Windsor), Claiborne 
County, Mississippi; 
(H) the battlefield at Grand Gulf, Claiborne County, 
Mississippi; 
(I) the battlefield at Raymond (including Waverly (the 
Pe5^on House)), Hinds County, Mississippi; 
(J) the battlefield at Jackson, Hinds County, Mis-
sissippi; 
(K) the Union siege lines around Jackson, Hinds 
County, Mississippi; 
(L) the battlefield at Champion Hill (including Coker 
House), Hinds County, Mississippi; 
(M) the battlefield at Big Black River Bridge, Hinds 
and Warren Counties, Mississippi; 
(N) the Union fortifications at Haynes Bluff, Confed-
erate fortifications at Snyder's Bluff", and remnants of Fed-
eral exterior lines, Warren County, Mississippi; 
(O) the battlefield at Chickasaw Bayou, Warren 
County, Mississippi; 
(P) Pemberton's Headquarters at Warren County, Mis-
sissippi; 
(Q) the site of actions taken in the Mississippi Delta 
and Confederate fortifications near Grenada, Grenada 
County, Mississippi; 
(R) the site of the start of Greirson's Raid and other 
related sites, LaGrange, Tennessee; and 
(S) any other sites considered appropriate by the Sec-
retary. 
(3) SECRETARY.—^The term "Secretary" means the Secretary 
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National 
Park Service. 
SEC. 4. FEASIBILITY STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^Not later than 3 years after funds are made Deadline, 
available for this Act, the Secretary shall complete a feasibility 
study to determine what measures should be taken to preserve 
Civil War battlefields along the Vicksburg Campaign Trail. 
(b) COMPONENTS.—In completing the study, the Secretary 
shall— 
(1) review current National Park Service programs, policies 
and criteria to determine the most appropriate means of 
ensuring the Civil War battlefields and associated natural, 
cultural, and historical resources are preserved; 
(2) evaluate options for the establishment of a management 
entity for the Civil War battlefields consisting of a unit of 
government or a private nonprofit organization that— 
(A) administers and manages the Civil War battle-
fields; and 
(B) possesses the legal authority to— 
(i) receive Federal funds and funds from other 
units of government or other organizations for use 
in managing the Civil War battlefields; 
114 STAT. 2204 
PUBLIC LAW 106-487—NOV. 9, 2000 
(ii) disburse Federal funds to other units of govern-
ment or other nonprofit organizations for use in man-
aging the Civil War battlefields; 
(iii) enter into agreements with the Federal 
Government, State governments, or other units of 
government and nonprofit organizations; and 
(iv) acquire land or interests in land by gift or 
devise, by purchase from a willing seller using donated 
or appropriated funds, or by donation; 
(3) make recommendations to the Campaign Trail States 
for the management, preservation, and interpretation of the 
natural, cultural, and historical resources of the Civil War 
battlefields; 
(4) identify appropriate partnerships among Federal, State, 
and local governments, regional entities, and the private sector, 
including nonprofit organizations and the organization known 
as "Friends of the Vicksburg Campaign and Historic Trail", 
in furtherance of the purposes of this Act; and 
(5) recommend methods of ensuring continued local involve-
ment and participation in the management, protection, and 
development of the Civil War battlefields. 
Deadline. 
(c) REPORT.—^Not later than 60 days after the date of completion 
of the study under this section, the Secretary shall submit a report 
describing the findings of the study to— 
(1) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
the Senate; and 
(2) the Committee on Resources of the House of Representa-
tives. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—^There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this Act $1,500,000. 
Approved November 9, 2000. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 710: 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 106-184 (Comm. on E n e i ^ and Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 145 (1999): Nov. 19, considered and passed Senate. 
Vol. 146 (2000): Oct. 23, considered and passed House.