Delaware and Lehigh Navigation Canal National Heritage Corridor Act of 1988
PL 100-692 (H.R.3957), enacted 11/18/1988

102 STAT. 4552 
PUBLIC LAW 100-692—NOV. 18, 1988 
Public Law 100-692 
100th Congress 
An Act 
Nov. 18, 1988 
[H.R. 3957] 
Delaware and 
Lehigh 
Navigation 
Canal National 
Heritage 
Corridor Act of 
1988. 
Conservation. 
Cultural 
programs. 
Historic 
preservation. 
To establish the Delaware and Lehigh Navigation Canal National Heritage Corridor 
in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 
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 "Delaware and Lehigh Navigation 
Canal National Heritage Corridor Act of 1988". 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The Delaware Canal, which opened for r^ular commercial 
navigation in 1834, provided an early and essential link in a 
4,000 mile national transportation route and helped to trans-
form Pennsylvania from an agrarian r ^ o n to the center of an 
industrialized society. 
(2) The Canal served as the primary means for transporting 
coal and other bulk goods from the "Anthracite Region" of 
Pennsylvania to New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and 
other industrial centers as far away as Europe. 
(3) As part of an elaborate national transportation system, the 
Delaware Canal and Lehigh Navigation Canal played a critical 
role in suppljdng our developing Nation with the coal that 
fueled its factories and heated its homes. 
(4) The route of the Delaware Canal parallels stagecoach 
routes and the trails of the Lenni-Lenape Indians, and passes 
numerous 18th, 19th, and 20th century sites of national and 
State historical significance. 
(5) In 1978, the Delaware Canal was declared a Nationeil 
Historic Landmark, and portions of the Lehigh Navigation 
Canal were placed on the National Roister of Historic Places 
and designated a National Recreation Trail. 
16 use 461 note. 
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR; PURPOSE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—^There is hereby established in the Common-
wealth of Pennsylvania the Delaware and Lehigh Navigation Canal 
National Heritage Corridor (hereinafter in this Act referred to as 
the "Corridor"). 
(b) PURPOSE.—^It is the purpose of this Act to provide a manage-
ment framework to assist the Commonwealth and its political sub-
divisions in developing and implementing int^rated cultural, 
historical, and natural resource policies and pr(^ams that will 
preserve and interpret for the educational and inspirational benefit 
of present and future generations the unique and significant con-
tributions to our national heritage of certain historic and cultural 
lands, waterways, and structures within and surrounding the Dela-
ware and Lehigh Navigation Canal in the Commonwealth. 
PUBLIC LAW 100-692—NOV. 18, 1988 
102 STAT. 4553 
SEC. 4. BOUNDARIES AND ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) BOUNDARIES.—The boundaries of the Corridor shall include 
those lands generally depicted on the map entitled "Delaware and 
Lehigh Navigation Canal National Heritage Corridor" numbered 
DELE-90,000 and dated August, 1988. The map shall be on file and 
available for public inspection in the offices of the Department of 
the Interior in Washington, District of Columbia, and the Penn-
sylvania Department of Environmental Resources. As soon as prac-
tical after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the 
Interior shall publish in the Federal Register a detailed description 
and map of the boundaries established under this subsection. 
(b) ADMINISTRATION.—The Corridor shall be administered in 
accordance with the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 5. DELAWARE AND LEHIGH NAVIGATION CANAL NATIONAL HERIT-
AGE CORRIDOR COMMISSION. 
(a) EsTABUSHMENT.—There is hereby established the Delaware 
and Lehigh Navigation Canal National Heritage Corridor Commis-
sion (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the "Commission"). The 
Commission shall assist appropriate Federal, State, and local 
authorities in the development and implementation of an integrated 
resource management plan for the Corridor. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Commission shall be composed of 21 mem-
bers appointed not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act as follows: 
(1) The Director of the National Park Service ex officio (or his 
delegate). 
(2) 4 individuals appointed by the Secretary, after receiving 
recommendations from the Governor who shall represent the 
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, the 
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Penn-
sylvania Department of Commerce/Economic Development 
Partnership, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community 
Affairs. 
(3) 8 representatives of local governments from the Common-
wealth appointed by the Secretary, after receiving recommenda-
tions from the Governor, of whom 4 shall be representatives 
from the Lehigh Navigation Canal region and 4 shall be rep-
resentatives from the Delaware Canal region. 
(4) 8 individuals from the general public who are citizens of 
the Commonwealth appointed by the Secretary, after receiving 
recommendations from the Grovernor, who shall have knowledge 
and experience in appropriate fields of interest, relating to the 
preservation, use, and interpretation of the Corridor of whom 4 
shall be residents of the Lehigh Navigation Canal region and 4 
shall be residents of the Delaware Canal region. A vacancy in 
the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the 
original appointment was made. 
(c) TERMS.—Members of the Commission shall be appointed for 
terms of 3 years and may be reappointed. 
(2) Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the 
expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall 
be appointed only for the remainder of such term. Any member of 
the Commission appointed for a definite term may serve after the 
expiration of his term until his successor has taken office. 
(d) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Commission shall receive no 
pay on account of their service on the Commission, but while away 
Public 
information. 
Federal 
Register, 
publication. 
102 STAT. 4554 
PUBLIC LAW 100-692—NOV. 18, 1988 
from iheir homes or r^ular 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 subsistence, in 
the same manner as persons employed intermittently in the Govern-
ment service are allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(e) CHAIRPEBSON.—^The chairperson of the Commission shall be 
elected by the members of the Commission. The term of the chair-
person shall be 2 years. 
(!) QUORUM.—(1) 11 members of the Commission shall constitute a 
quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings. 
(2) The affirmative vote of not less than 6 members of the Commis-
sion shall be required to approve the budget of the Commission. 
ig) MEETINGS.—^The Commission shall hold its first meeting not 
later than 90 days after the date on which its members are ap-
pointed, and shall meet at least quarterly at the call of the chair-
person or 6 of its members. Meetings of the Commission shall be 
subject to section 552b of titie 5, United States Code (relating to open 
meetings). 
SEC 6. STAFF OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL—(1) The Commission shall have the power to 
appoint and fix the compensation of such staff as may be necessary 
to carry out its duties. 
(2) StafiT appointed by the Commission— 
(A) shall be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5, 
United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive 
service; and 
(B) shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 
51 and subchapter lU of chapter 53 of such title relating to 
classification and General Schedule pay rates. 
(b) EIxPERTS AND CoNSULTANTS.^»ubject to such rules as may be 
adopted by the Commission, the Commission may procure tem-
porary and intermittent services to the same extent as is authorized 
by section 31090>) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates deter-
mined by the (Commission to be reasonable. 
(c) STAFF OF OTHER AGENCIES.—(1) Upon request of the Commis-
sion, the head of any Federal agency may detail, on a reimbursable 
basis, any of the personnel of such agency to the Commission to 
assist the Commission in carrying out the Commission's duties. 
(2) The (Commission may accept the services of personnel detailed 
frx>m the Commonwealth and any political subdivision thereof, and 
may reimburse the Conmionwealth or such political subdivision for 
those services. 
SEC 7. POWERS OF COMinSSION. 
(a) HEARINGS.-K1) The Commission may hold such hearings, sit 
and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive 
such evidence, as the Commission considers appropriate. 
(2) The Commission may not issue subpoenas or exercise any 
subpoena authority. 
(b) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any member or agent of 
the Commission, if so authorized by the Commission, may ts^e any 
action which the Commission is authorized to take by this Act. 
(c) ADMiNiSTRATiyE SUPPORT SERVICES.—^The Administrator of the 
General Services Administration shall provide to the Ck>mmission, 
PUBLIC LAW 100-692—NOV. 18, 1988 
102 STAT. 4555 
on a reimbursable basis, such administrative support services as the 
Commission may request. 
(d) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United States mails in 
the same manner and under the same conditions as other depart-
ments and agencies of the United States. 
(e) USE OF FUNDS TO OBTAIN MONEY.—The Commission may use 
its funds to obtain money from any source under any program or 
law requiring the recipient of such money to make a contribution in 
order to receive such money. 
(f) GIFTS.—(1) Except as provided in subsection (gX2XB), the 
Commission may, for purposes of cariying out its duties, seek, 
accept, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or donations of money, per-
sonal property, or services, received from any source. 
(2) For purposes of section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986, any gift to the Commission shall be deemed to be a gift to the 
United States. 
(g) ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY.—(1) Except as provided in 
paragraph (2) and except with respect to any leasing of facilities 
under subsection (c), the Commission may not acquire any real 
property or interest in real property. 
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the Commission may acquire real 
property, or interests in real property, in the Corridor— 
(A) by gift or devise; or 
(B) by purchase from a willing seller with money which was 
given or bequeathed to the Commission on the condition that 
such money would be used to purchase real property, or in-
terests in real property, in the Corridor. 
(3) Any real property or interest in real property acquired by the 
Commission under paragraph (2) shall be conveyed by the Commis-
sion to an appropriate public agency, as determined by the Commis-
sion. Any such conveyance shall be made— 
(A) as soon as practicable after such acquisition; 
(B) without consideration; and 
(C) on the condition that the real property or interest in real 
property so conveyed is used for public purposes. 
(h) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—For purposes of carrying out the 
plan, the Commission may enter into cooperative agreements with 
the Commonwealth, with any political subdivision of the Common-
wealth, or with any person. Any such cooperative agreement shall, 
at a minimum, establish procedures for providing notice to the 
Commission of any action proposed by the Commonwealth, such 
political subdivision, or such person which may affect the im-
plementation of the Plan. 
(i) ADVISORY GROUPS.—The Commission may establish such ad-
visory groups as it deems necessary to ensure open communication 
with, and assistance from, the Commonwealth, political subdivisions 
of the Commonwealth, and interested persons. 
SEC. 8. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) PREPARATION OF PLAN.—Within 2 years after the Commission 
conducts its first meeting, it shall submit to the Secretary of the 
Interior a Cultural Herit^e and Corridor Management Plan. The 
Plan shall be based on existing Federal, Commonwealth, and local 
plans, but shall coordinate those plans and present a unified historic 
preservation and interpretation plan for the Corridor. The Plan 
shall— 
102 STAT. 4556 
PUBLIC LAW 100-692—NOV. 18, 1988 
(1) provide an inventory which includes any property in the 
Corridor which should be preserved, restored, managed, devel-
oped, maintained, or acquired because of its national historic or 
cultural significance; 
(2) develop an historic interpretation plan to interpret the 
history of the Canal and its surrounding area; 
(3) recommend policies for resource management which con-
sider and detail the application of appropriate land and water 
management techniques, including the development of intergov-
ernmental cooperative agreements, that will protect the Cor-
ridor's historical, cultural, scenic, and natural resources in a 
manner consistent with supporting appropriate and compatible 
economic revitalization efforts; 
(4) detail the ways in which local. Commonwealth, and Fed-
eral programs may best be coordinated to promote the purposes 
ofthis Act;and 
(5) contsdn a program for implementation of the Plan by the 
Commonwealth and its political subdivisions. 
O
t
)
) IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN.—After review and approval of the 
Plan by the Secretary of the Interior as provided in section 10(a), the 
Commission shall implement the Plan by taking appropriate steps 
to preserve and interpret the historic resources of the Canal and its 
surrounding area, and to support public and private efforts in 
economic revitalization consistent with the goals of the Plan. These 
steps may include, but need not be limited to— 
(1) assisting the Commonwealth in preserving the Canal; 
(2) assisting the Commonwealth and local governments in 
designing, establishing, and maintaining visitor centers and 
other interpretive exhibits in the Corridor; 
(3) assisting in increasing public awareness of and apprecia-
tion for the historical, architectural, and geological resources 
and sites in the Corridor; 
(4) assisting the Commonwealth, local governments, and non-
'•-'• profit organizations in the restoration of any historic building in 
the Corridor; 
(5) encouraging by appropriate means enhanced economic and 
industrial development in the Corridor consistent with the goals 
of the Plan; 
(6) encouraging local governments to adopt land use policies 
consistent with the management of the Corridor and the goals 
of the Plan, and to take actions to implement those policies; and 
(7) ensuring that clear, consistent signs identifying access 
points and sites of interest are put in place throughout the 
Corridor. 
SEC. 9. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION. 
(a) TERMINATION.—Except as provided in subsection 01)), the 
Commission shall terminate on the day occurring 5 years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
0)) EXTENSIONS.—The Commission may be extended for a period of 
not more than 5 years beginning on the day of termination referred 
to in subsection (a) if, not later than 180 days before such day— 
(1) the Commission determines such extension is necessary in 
order to carry out the purpose of this Act; 
(2) the Commission submits such proposed extension to the 
Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States 
PUBLIC LAW 100-692—NOV. 18, 1988 
102 STAT. 4557 
House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources of the United States Senate; and 
(3) the Secretary approves such extension. 
SEC. 10. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY. 
(a) APPROVAL OF PLAN.—The Secretary of the Interior shall ap-
prove or disapprove a Plan submitted to him under this Act by the 
Commission not later than 60 days after he receives such Plan. The 
Secretary shall approve a Plan submitted to him if— 
(1) he finds that the Plan, if implemented, would adequately 
protect the significant historical and cultural resources of the 
Corridor while providing adequate and appropriate outdoor 
recreational opportunities and economic activities within the 
Corridor; 
(2) he determines that the Commission held public hearings 
and provided adequate opportunity for public and governmental 
involvement in the preparation of the Plan; and 
(3) he receives adequate assurances from 
appropriate 
Commonwealth officials that the recommended implementation 
program identified in the Plan will be initiated within a reason-
able time after the date of approval of the Plan, and that such 
implementation program will ensure effective implementation 
of the State and local aspects of the Plan. 
(b) DISAPPROVAL OF PLAN.—If the Secretary disapproves a Plan 
submitted to him by the Commission, he shall advise the Commis-
sion in writing of the reasons therefore and shall make rec-
ommendations for revisions in the Plan. The Commission shall 
within 90 days of receipt of such notice of disapproval revise and 
resubmit the plan to the Secretary who shall approve or disapprove 
a proposed revision within 60 days after the date it is submitted to 
him. 
(c) INTERPRETIVE MATERIALS.—Following approval of the Plan as 
provided under subsection (a), the Secretary shall assist the Commis-
sion in designing and producing interpretive materials based on the 
Plan. Such materials may include— 
(1) guide brochures for exploring the Corridor by automobile, 
train, bicycle, boat, or foot; 
(2) indoor and outdoor visitor displays, which may include 
video presentations, at several locations along the Corridor; and 
(3) a mobile display describing the history of the Corridor, to 
be used in the Corridor, public buildings, libraries, and schools. 
(d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary of the Interior shall, 
upon the request of the Commission, provide technical assistance to 
the Commission in the preparation and implementation of the Plan. 
SEC. 11. DUTIES OF OTHER FEDERAL ENTITIES. 
Any Federal entity conducting or supporting activities directly 
affecting the flow of the Canal or the natural resources of the 
Corridor 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 
102 STAT. 4558 
PUBLIC LAW 100-692—NOV. 18, 1988 
(3) to the maximum extent practicable, conduct or support 
such activities in a manner consistent with the Plan and the 
provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 12. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) COMMISSION.—There is authorized to be appropriated annually 
to the Commission to carry out its duties under this Act $350,000, 
except that the Federal contribution to the Commission shall not 
exceed 50 percent of the annual costs to the Commission in carrying 
out those duties. 
O
t
>
) SECRETARY.—There are authorized to be appropriated annually 
to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out his 
duties under th^ Act. 
SEC. 13. DEFINITIONS. 
. 
For purposes of this Act— 
(1) the term "Canal" means the Delaware and Lehigh Naviga-
tion Canal; 
(2) the term "Commission" means the Delaware and Lehigh 
Navigation Canal National Heritage Corridor Commission 
established under section 5(a); 
(3) the term "Commonwealth" means the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania; 
(4) the term "Corridor" means the Delaware and Lehigh 
Navigation Canal National Heritage Corridor established under 
section 3(a); 
(5) the term "Plan" means the Cultural Heritage and Cor-
ridor Management Plan to be prepared by the Commission 
pursuant to section 8(a); and 
(6) the term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior. 
Approved November 18, 1988. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3957: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 100-906 (Comm. on Interior and Insular Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 134 (1988): 
Sept. 13, considered and peissed House. 
Oct. 14, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
' 
Oct. 19, House concurred in certain Senate amendments and disagreed to 
another. 
Oct. 20, Senate receded from its amendment.