Volume 106 · 934
Public Law 102–350
To establish the Marsh-Billings National Historical Park in the State of Vermont, and for other purposes.
Approved August 26, 1992
Statutory text
An Act
To establish the Marsh-Billings National Historical Park in the State of Vermont, and for other purposes.
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 “Marsh-Billings National Historical Park Establishment Act”.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are—
to interpret the history and evolution of conservation stewardship in America;
to recognize and interpret the contributions and birthplace of George Perkins Marsh, pioneering environmentalist, author of Man and Nature, statesman, lawyer, and linguist;
to recognize and interpret the contributions of Frederick Billings, conservationist, pioneer in reforestation and scientific farm management, lawyer, philanthropist, and railroad builder, who extended the principles of land management introduced by Marsh;
to preserve the Marsh-Billings Mansion and its surrounding lands; and
to recognize the significant contributions of Julia Billings, Mary Billings French, Mary French Rockefeller, and Laurance Spelman Rockefeller in perpetuating the Marsh-Billings heritage.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF MARSH-BILLINGS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.
In General.—
There is established as a unit of the National Park System the Marsh-Billings National Historical Park in Windsor County, Vermont (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the “park”).
Boundaries and Map.—
The park shall consist of a historic zone, including the Marsh-Billings Mansion, surrounding buildings and a portion of the area known as “Mt. Tom”, comprising approximately 555 acres, and a protection zone, including the areas presently occupied by the Billings Farm and Museum, comprising approximately 88 acres, all as generally depicted on the map entitled “Marsh-Billings National Historical Park Boundary Map” and dated November 19, 1991.
The map referred to in paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF PARK.
In General.—
The Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the “Secretary”) shall administer the park in accordance with this Act, and laws 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 (16 U.S.C. 1, 2–4).
Acquisition of Lands.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary is authorized to acquire lands or interests therein within the park only by donation.
If the Secretary determines that lands within the protection zone are being used, or there is an imminent threat that such lands will be used, for a purpose that is incompatible with the purposes of this Act, the Secretary may acquire such lands or interests therein by means other than donation.
The Secretary may acquire lands within the historic zone subject to terms and easements providing for the management and commercial operation of existing hiking and cross-country ski trails by the grantor, and the grantor’s successors and assigns, such terms and easements shall be in a manner consistent with the purposes of the historic zone. Any changes in the operation and management of existing trails shall be subject to approval by the Secretary.
Historic Zone.—
The primary purposes of the historic zone shall be preservation, education, and interpretation.
Protection Zone.—
The primary purpose of the protection zone shall be to preserve the general character of the setting across from the Marsh-Billings Mansion in such a manner and by such means as will continue to permit current and future compatible uses.
The Secretary shall pursue protection and preservation alternatives for the protection zone by working with affected State and local governments and affected landowners to develop and implement land use practices consistent with this Act.
SEC. 5. MARSH-BILLINGS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK SCENIC ZONE.
In General.—
There is established the Marsh-Billings National Historical Park Scenic Zone (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the “scenic zone”), which shall include those lands as generally depicted on the map entitled “Marsh-Billings National Historical Park Scenic Zone Map” and dated November 19, 1991.
Purpose.—
The purpose of the scenic zone shall be to protect portions of the natural setting beyond the park boundaries that are visible from the Marsh-Billings Mansion, by such means and in such a manner as will permit current and future compatible uses.
Acquisition of Scenic Easements.—
Within the boundaries of the scenic zone, the Secretary is authorized only to acquire scenic easements by donation.
SEC. 6. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.
In General.—
The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with such persons or entities as the Secretary determines to be appropriate for the preservation, interpretation, management, and providing of educational and recreational uses for the properties in the park and the scenic zone.
Facilities.—
The Secretary, through cooperative agreements with owners or operators of land and facilities in the protection zone, may provide for facilities in the protection zone to support activities within the historic zone.
SEC. 7. ENDOWMENT.
In General.—
In accordance with the provisions of subsection (b), the Secretary is authorized to receive and expend funds from an endowment to be established with the Woodstock Foundation, or its successors and assigns.
Conditions.—
Funds from the endowment referred to in subsection (a) shall be expended exclusively as the Woodstock Foundation, or its successors and assigns, in consultation with the Secretary, may designate for the preservation and maintenance of the Marsh-Billings Mansion and its immediate surrounding property.
No expenditure shall be made pursuant to this section unless the Secretary determines that such expenditure is consistent with the purposes of this Act.
SEC. 8. RESERVATION OF USE AND OCCUPANCY.
In acquiring land within the historic zone, the Secretary may permit an owner of improved residential property within the boundaries of the historic zone to retain a right of use and occupancy of such property for noncommercial residential purposes for a term not to exceed 25 years or a term ending at the death of the owner, or the owner’s spouse, whichever occurs last. The owner shall elect the term to be reserved.
SEC. 9. GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN.
Not later than 3 complete fiscal years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop and transmit a general management plan for the park 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.
SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
Approved August 26, 1992.