Public Law 92–501

That, in order to preserve in public ownership for the benefit and inspiration of present and future generations of Americans an area which illustrates a part of the early history of the United States by commemorating czarist Russia’s exploration and colonization of Alaska, the Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the “Secretary”) is authorized to acquire by donation, purchase, or exchange, for addition to the Sitka National Monument, the lands and interests therein, and improvements thereon, including the Russian mission, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Proposed Additions, Sitka National Monument, Sitka, Alaska” numbered 314–20,010–A, in two sheets, and dated September 1971, which shall be on file and available for public inspection in the offices of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Lands and interests in lands within such area owned by the State of Alaska or any political subdivision thereof may be acquired only by donation. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may erect permanent improvements on lands acquired by him from the State of Alaska for the purposes of this Act.

Sec. 2.

The Sitka National Monument is hereby redesignated as the Sitka National Historical Park, and it shall be administered, protected, and maintained by the Secretary in accordance with the provisions of the Act of August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1, 2–4), as amended and supplemented, and the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.).

Sec. 3.

There are hereby authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $140,000 for land acquisition and $691,000 (June 1971 prices) for development, plus or minus such amounts, if any, as may be justified by reason of ordinary fluctuations in construction costs as indicated by engineering cost indexes applicable to the types of construction involved herein.