A bill to create a national park at Natchez, Mississippi.
PL 100-479 (H.R.4457), enacted 10/07/1988

102 STAT. 2324 
PUBLIC LAW 100-479—OCT. 7, 1988 
Public Law 100-479 
100th Congress 
An Act 
Oct. 7, 1988 
[H.R. 4457] 
Historic 
preservation. 
Conservation. 
16 u s e 410oo. 
To create a national park at Natchez, Mississippi. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. PURPOSES. 
The purposes of this Act are to— 
(1) preserve and interpret the history of Natchez, Mississippi, 
as a significant city in the history of the American South; 
(2) preserve and interpret the sites and structures associated 
with all the peoples of Natchez and its surrounding area from 
earliest inhabitants to the modern era, and including blacks 
both slave and free; 
(3) preserve and interpret the region's social, political, and 
economic development, with particular emphasis on the pre-
and post-Civil War eras; and 
(4) preserve and interpret the region's commercial and agri-
cultural history, especially in relation to the Mississippi River 
and cotton. 
16 u s e 410OO-1. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATCHP]Z NATIONAL IIISTOKICAL PARK. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to provide for the benefit, inspiration, 
and education of the American people, there is hereby established 
the Natchez National Historical Park (hereinafter in this Act re-
ferred to as the "park") in the State of Mississippi. 
(b) AREA INCLUDED.—The park shall consist of the historic dis-
tricts established under this Act and the following properties: 
(1) The lands and structures known as Melrose, together with 
all personal property located on such lands. 
(2) The lands and improvements thereon known as, or associ-
ated with, Fort Rosalie. 
The property referred to in paragraph (2) shall be included within 
the park only if the Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter in this Act 
referred to as the "Secretary") determines that the historic re-
sources of Fort Rosalie are of sufficient national significance and 
integrity to warrant inclusion in the National Park System. The 
Secretary shall make such determination after receiving from the 
Governor of the State of Mississippi and the mayor of the city of 
Natchez, in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Offi-
cer, a recommendation based on scholarly research as to the 
national significance and integrity of such historic resources. 
(c) BOUNDARIES; MAP.—The Secretary shall prepare a map of the 
lands included within the park. Such map shall be on file and 
available for public inspection in the offices of the National Park 
Service at the park and at the Department of the Interior in the 
District of Columbia. The Secretary may from time to time make 
minor revisions in the boundary of the park in accordance with 
section 7(c) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 
(16 U.S.C. 4601-4 and following). 
Public 
information. 
District of 
Columbia. 
PUBLIC LAW 100-479—OCT. 7, 1988 
102 STAT. 2325 
SE(L .-5. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY. 
16 USC 410oo-2. 
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary may 
acquire, by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, 
or exchange, land or interests in land, together with structures and 
other improvements thereon and personal property, which is in-
cluded within the park. In addition the Secretary may acquire by 
any such means such personal property associated with the park as 
he deems appropriate for interpretation of the park and such addi-
tional lands and properties as may be necessary for purposes of an 
administrative headquarters and administrative site. Any land, in-
terests in land, structures, improvements, or personal property 
owned by the State of Mississippi or any political subdivision 
thereof, may be acquired only by donation. The Secretary may not 
acquire fee title to any property other than the property he deems 
necessary for an administrative site and headquarters and the 
property referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 2, and the 
Secretary may not acquire the property referred to in paragraph (1) 
of section 2 unless at least 25 per centum of the fair market value of 
such property (as determined by the Secretary) is donated to the 
United States in connection with such acquisition. 
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF PARK. 
16 USC 410oo-3. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall administer the park in 
accordance with this Act and with the provisions of law generally 
applicable to units of the National Park System, including 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. 1-4) and 
the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 461-467). Prop-
erties acquired under this Act for purposes of inclusion in the park 
shall be available for visitor inspection and enjoyment as promptly 
as practicable after the date of acquisition notwithstanding the 
absence of a park management plan. 
(b) DONATIONS.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Secretary may accept and expend donations of funds, property, or 
services from individuals, foundations, corporations, or public enti-
ties for the purpose of providing services and facilities which he 
deems consistent with the purposes of this Act. 
(c) HISTORIC DISTRICTS.— 
(1) STUDY OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES.—The Secretary shall pre-
pare and transmit to the Committee on Interior and Insular 
Affairs of the United States House of Representatives and to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United 
States Senate a study of the properties in the city of Natchez 
and its immediate environs that preserve and interpret the 
history contained in the purposes of this Act. Such report shall 
Reports, 
consider which properties best exemplify such purposes and 
appropriate means for providing technical assistance to, and 
interpretation of, such properties. The study and report shall 
include consideration of Natchez-Under-the-Hill and the Briars. 
(2) ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICTS.—Following completion of the 
study under paragraph (1), but not later than one year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish 
historic districts in the city of Natchez and its immediate 
environs for the preservation and interpretation of the re-
sources that contribute to the understanding of the purposes of 
this Act. 
Public 
information. 
102 STAT. 2326 
PUBLIC LAW 100-479—OCT. 7, 1988 
Gifts and 
property. 
16 u s e 410OO-4. 
(3) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH OWNERS.—In furtherance 
of the purposes of this Act, and after consultation with the 
Advisory Commission established by this Act, the Secretary is 
authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with the 
owners of properties of historical or cultural significance (as 
determined by the Secretary) within any historic district estab-
lished under this subsection. Such agreements shall permit the 
Secretary to mark, interpret, improve, restore, and provide 
technical assistance with respect to the preservation and 
interpretation of such properties. Such agreements shall con-
tain, but need not be limited to, provisions that the Secretary 
shall have the right of access at reasonable times to public 
portions of any property covered by such agreement for pur-
poses of conducting visitors through such properties and inter-
preting them to the public, and that no changes or alterations 
shall be made in the property except by mutual agreement 
between the Secretary and other parties to the agreement, 
(d) GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN.—Within three complete fiscal 
years after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States 
House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources of the United States Senate a general manage-
ment plan for the park. The plan shall be prepared in accordance 
with section 12(b) of the Act of August 18, 1970 (84 Stat. 825; 16 
U.S.C. la-1 through la-7). Such plan shall identify appropriate 
facilities for proper interpretation of the site for visitors. 
SEC. 5. NATCHEZ TRACE STUDY. 
The Secretary shall prepare, in consultation with the city of 
Natchez, a study of the feasibility of extending the Natchez Trace 
within the city of Natchez, including the acceptance of donations of 
rights-of-way. The Secretary shall transmit the study to the Commit-
tee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States House of 
Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the United States Senate within one year after the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
16 u s e 4i0oo-5. 
SEC. 6. ADVISORY COMMISSION. 
Public 
information. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is hereby established the Natchez Na-
tional Historical Park Advisory Commission (hereinafter in this Act 
referred to as the 'Advisory Commission"). The Advisory Commis-
sion shall be composed of six members appointed by the Secretary. 
Two of such members shall be appointed from among individuals 
nominated by the mayor of Natchez and one i'rom among individuals 
nominated by the Governor of Mississippi. Two of the members shall 
have expertise in historic preservation and one shall have expertise 
in architectural history. Any member of the Advisory Commission 
appointed for a definite term may serve after the expiration of his 
term until his successor is appointed. The Advisory Commission 
shall designate one of its members as Chairperson. 
(b) MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES.—The Secretary, or 
his designee, shall from time to time, but at least semiannually, 
meet and consult with the Advisory Commission on matters relating 
to the management and development of the park. 
(c) MEETINGS.—The Advisory Commission shall meet on a regular 
basis. Notice of meetings and agenda shall be published in local 
newspapers which have a distribution which generally covers the 
PUBLIC LAW 100-479—OCT. 7, 1988 
102 STAT. 2327 
area affected by the park. Advisory Commission meetings shall be 
held at locations and in such a manner as to ensure adequate public 
involvement. 
(d) EXPENSES.—Members of the Advisory Commission shall serve 
without compensation as such, but the Secretary may pay expenses 
reasonably incurred in carrying out their responsibilities under this 
Act on vouchers signed by the Chairman. 
(e) CHARTER.—The provisions of section 14(b) of the Federal Ad-
visory Committee Act (Act of October (5, 1972; 86 Stat. 776), are 
hereby waived with respect to this Advisory Commission. 
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
16 USC 410oo-6. 
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated not to exceed 
$12,000,000 to carry out this Act. 
Approved October 7, 1988. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 4457: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 100-793 (Comm. on Interior and Insular Affairs). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 100-538 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 134 (1988): 
July 26, considered and passed House. 
Sept. 27, considered and passed Senate.