Paterson Great Falls National Park Act of 2006 - Establishes in Paterson, New Jersey, the Paterson Great Falls National Park as a unit of the National Park System.
Requires the Park to be administered in partnership by the Secretary of the Interior, the state of New Jersey, the city of Paterson and its applicable subdivisions, and others.
Establishes the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park Partnership to coordinate the activities of federal, state, and local authorities and the private sector in the development, for the Secretary's approval, and implementation of an integrated resource management plan.
Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to establish a Paterson Great Falls National Park Advisory Council.
Authorizes the Secretary to acquire land or interests within the boundaries of the Park by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6192 Introduced in House (IH)]
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6192
To establish the Paterson Great Falls National Park in the State of New
Jersey, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 26, 2006
Mr. Pascrell (for himself, Mr. Andrews, Mr. LoBiondo, Mr. Saxton, Mr.
Garrett of New Jersey, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Rothman, Mr.
Payne, Mr. Frelinghuysen, Mr. Holt, and Mr. Smith of New Jersey)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Paterson Great Falls National Park in the State of New
Jersey, 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 ``Paterson Great Falls National Park
Act of 2006''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The Great Falls Historic District in Paterson, New
Jersey is the site Alexander Hamilton selected to implement his
vision of American economic independence and transform a rural
agrarian society based on slavery into a global economy based
on freedom.
(2) President Ford announced the designation of the
Historic District as a National Historic Landmark in 1976 and
declared it ``a symbol of the industrial might which helps to
make America the most powerful nation in the world''.
(3) The Historic District was established as a National
Historic District in 1996.
(4) Exceptional natural and cultural resources make the
Historic District America's only National Historic District
that contains both a National Historic Landmark and a National
Natural Resource.
(5) The Historic District embodies Hamilton's vision of an
American economy based on--
(A) diverse industries to avoid excessive reliance
on any single manufactured product;
(B) innovative engineering and technology,
including the successful use of water, a renewable
energy source, to power industry and manufacturing;
(C) industrial production of goods not only for
domestic consumption but also for international trade;
and
(D) meritocracy and opportunities for all.
(6) Pierre L'Enfant's water power system at Great Falls and
the buildings erected around it over two centuries constitute
the finest and most extensive remaining example of engineering,
planning, and architectural works that span the entire period
of America's growth into an industrial power.
(7) A National Park Service unit in Paterson is necessary
to give the American people an opportunity to appreciate the
physical beauty and historical importance of the Historic
District.
(8) Congress and the National Park Service recognized the
national significance of the Historic District through listing
on the National Register of Historic Places and designation as
a National Historic Landmark and a National Historic District.
(9) The Historic District is suitable for addition to the
National Park System because--
(A) the national park will promote themes not
adequately represented in National Park System,
including aspects of African-American history and the
inspiration Great Falls has been for renowned American
writers and artists;
(B) the national park will promote civic engagement
by attracting and engaging people who currently feel
little or no connection to National Parks or the
founding fathers;
(C) the national park will interpret America's
developing history in the historical and global
context; and
(D) the national park will foster partnerships
among federal, state and local governments and private
donors and non-profit organizations.
(10) The Historic District is a physically and fiscally
feasible site for a national park because--
(A) all of the required natural and cultural
resources are on property largely owned by local
government entities;
(B) it is of a manageable size; and
(C) much of the funding will come from private
donors and the State of New Jersey, which has committed
substantial sums of money to fund a state park that
will assist in the funding of the national park.
(11) The national park provides enormous potential for
public use because its location and urban setting make it
easily accessible for millions of Americans.
(12) The historic Hinchliffe stadium, adjacent to the
Historic District, was home to the New York Black Yankees for
many years, including 1933 when it hosted the Colored
Championship of the Nation, and it was added to the National
Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service in
2004.
(13) Larry Doby played in Hinchliffe Stadium both as a star
high school athlete and again as Negro League player, shortly
before becoming the first African-American to play in the
American League.
(14) A National Park Service unit, in partnership with
private donors and state and local governments, represents the
most effective and efficient method of preserving the Historic
District for the public.
(15) A National Park Service unit in Paterson is necessary
to give the Historic District the continuity and
professionalism required to attract private donors from across
the country.
(16) Though the State of New Jersey will be a strong
partner with a significant financial commitment, the State
alone cannot preserve the Historic District and present it to
the public without a National Park System unit in Paterson.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to establish a unit of the National Park System in
Paterson, New Jersey, consisting of the Historic District and
historic Hinchliffe Stadium; and
(2) to create partnerships among Federal, State, and local
governments, non-profit organizations, and private donors to
preserve, enhance, interpret, and promote the cultural sites,
historic structures, and natural beauty of the Historic
District and the historic Hinchliffe Stadium for the benefit of
present and future generations.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Historic district.--The term ``Historic District''
means the Great Falls National Historic District in Paterson,
New Jersey, consisting of approximately 118 acres, as specified
in the National Register of Historic Places.
(2) National park.--The term ``national park'' means the
Paterson Great Falls National Park established by section 4.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(4) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means
the integrated resource management plan prepared pursuant to
section 6.
(5) Partnership.--The term ``Partnership'' means the
Paterson Great Falls National Park Partnership established in
section 7.
(6) Advisory council.--The term ``Advisory Council'' means
the Paterson Great Falls National Park Advisory Council
established pursuant to section 8.
SEC. 4. PATERSON GREAT FALLS NATIONAL PARK.
(a) Establishment.--There is established in Paterson, New Jersey,
the Paterson Great Falls National Park as a unit of the National Park
System.
(b) Boundaries.--The boundaries of the national park shall be--
(1) the Historic District as listed on the National
Register of Historic Places; and
(2) the historic Hinchliffe Stadium as listed on the
National Register of Historic Places.
SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) In General.--The national park shall be administered in
partnership by the Secretary, the State of New Jersey, City of Paterson
and its applicable subdivisions, and others in accordance with the
provisions of law generally applicable to units of the National Park
System (including the Act of August 25, 1916 (16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.) and
the Act of August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.)), and in accordance
with the management plan.
(b) State and Local Jurisdiction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to diminish, enlarge, or modify any right of the State of New
Jersey or any political subdivision thereof to exercise civil and
criminal jurisdiction or to carry out State laws, rules, and
regulations within the national park.
(c) Cooperative Agreements.--
(1) The Secretary may consult and enter into cooperative
agreements with the State of New Jersey or its political
subdivisions to acquire from and provide to the State or its
political subdivisions goods and services to be used in the
cooperative management of lands within the national park, if
the Secretary determines that appropriations for that purpose
are available and the agreement is in the best interest of the
United States.
(2) The Secretary, after consultation with the Partnership,
may enter into cooperative agreements with owners of property
of nationally significant historic or other cultural resources
within the national park in order to provide for interpretive
exhibits or programs. Such agreements shall provide, whenever
appropriate, that--
(A) the public may have access to such property at
specified, reasonable times for purposes of viewing
property or exhibits or attending programs established
by the Secretary under this subsection; and
(B) no changes or alterations shall be made in the
properties, except by mutual agreements between the
Secretary and the other parties to the agreements.
(d) Construction of Facilities on Non-Federal Lands.--In order to
facilitate the administration of the national park, the Secretary is
authorized, subject to the availability of appropriated funds, to
construct essential administrative or visitor use facilities on non-
Federal public lands within the national park. Such facilities and the
use thereof shall be in conformance with applicable plans
(e) Other Property, Funds, and Services.--The Secretary may accept
and use donated funds, property, and services to carry out this
section.
(f) Management in Accordance With Integrated Management Plan.--The
Secretary shall preserve, interpret, manage, and provide educational
and recreational uses for the national park, in consultation with the
owners and managers of lands in the national park, in accordance with
the management plan.
SEC. 6. INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN.
(a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Partnership shall submit to the Secretary a
management plan for the national park to be developed and implemented
by the Partnership.
(b) Contents.--The management plan shall include, at a minimum,
each of the following:
(1) A program providing for coordinated administration of
the national park with proposed assignment of responsibilities
to the appropriate governmental unit at the Federal, State, and
local levels, and nonprofit organizations, including each of
the following:
(A) A plan to finance and support the public
improvements and services recommended in the management
plan, including allocation of non-Federal matching
requirements and a delineation of profit sector roles
and responsibilities.
(B) A program for the coordination and
consolidation, to the extent feasible, of activities
that may be carried out by Federal, State, and local
agencies having jurisdiction over land within the
national park, including planning and regulatory
responsibilities.
(2) Policies and programs for the following purposes:
(A) Enhancing public recreational and cultural
opportunities in the national park.
(B) Conserving, protecting, and maintaining the
scenic, historical, cultural, and natural values of the
national park.
(C) Developing educational opportunities in the
national park.
(D) Enhancing public access to the national park,
including development of transportation networks.
(E) Identifying potential sources of revenue from
programs or activities carried out within the national
park.
(F) Protecting and preserving sites with
historical, cultural, natural, Native American and
African American significance.
(3) A policy statement that recognizes existing economic
activities within the national park.
(c) Consultation and Public Hearings.--In developing the management
plan, the Partnership shall:
(1) Consult on a regular basis with appropriate officials
of any local government or Federal or State agency which has
jurisdiction over lands within the national park.
(2) Consult with interested conservation, business,
professional, and citizen organizations.
(3) Conduct public hearings or meetings for the purposes of
providing interested persons with the opportunity to testify
with respect to matters to be addressed by the management plan.
(d) Approval of the Management Plan.--
(1) In general.--The Partnership shall submit the
management plan to the Governor of New Jersey for review. The
Governor shall have 90 days to review and make any
recommendations regarding the management plan. After
considering the Governor's recommendations, if any, the
Partnership shall submit the plan to the Secretary, who shall
approve or disapprove the plan not later than 90 days after
receiving the management plan from the Partnership. In
reviewing the management plan, the Secretary shall consider
each of the following:
(A) The adequacy of public participation.
(B) Assurances from State and local officials
regarding implementation of the management plan.
(C) The adequacy of regulatory and financial tools
that are in place to implement the management plan.
(2) Disapproval.--If the Secretary disapproves the
management plan, the Secretary shall, not later than 60 days
after the date of such disapproval, submit to the Partnership
in writing the reasons for the disapproval and recommendations
for revision. Not later than 90 days after receipt of such
notice of disapproval and recommendations, the Partnership
shall revise and resubmit the management plan to the Secretary
who shall approve or disapprove the revision not later than 60
days after receiving the revised management plan.
(3) Result of failure to approve or disapprove.--If the
Secretary does not take action within the deadlines set forth
in paragraphs (1) or (2), the plan shall be deemed to have been
approved.
(e) Prior to adoption of the Partnership's plan, the Secretary and
the Partnership shall assist the owners and managers of lands within
the national park to ensure that existing programs, services, and
activities that promote the purposes of this section are supported.
SEC. 7. PATERSON GREAT FALLS NATIONAL PARK PARTNERSHIP.
(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Paterson Great
Falls National Historical Park Partnership whose purpose shall be to
coordinate the activities of Federal, State, and local authorities and
the private sector in the development and implementation of the
management plan.
(b) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 13
members appointed by the Secretary, of whom--
(A) 4 members shall be appointed by the Secretary
from nominees submitted by the Governor of the State of
New Jersey;
(B) 2 members shall be appointed by the Secretary
from nominees submitted by the City Council of
Paterson;
(C) 2 members shall be appointed by the Secretary
from the Paterson Great Falls National Park Advisory
Board; and
(D) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretary
from nominees submitted by the Board of Chosen
Freeholders of Passaic County, New Jersey.
(2) Chairperson; vice chairperson.--The Partnership shall
elect one of its members as Chairperson and one as Vice
Chairperson. The term of office of the Chairperson and Vice
Chairperson shall be one year. The Vice Chairperson shall serve
as chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson.
(3) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Partnership shall be
filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was
made.
(4) Terms.--Terms of service--
(A) members of the Partnership shall serve for
terms of 3 years and may be reappointed not more than
once; and
(B) a member may serve after the expiration of his
or her term until a successor has been appointed.
(5) Deadline.--The Secretary shall appoint the first
members of the Partnership within 30 days after the date on
which the Secretary has received all of the recommendations for
appointment pursuant to subsection (b)(1).
(c) Compensation.--Members of the Partnership shall serve without
pay, but while away from their homes or regular places of business in
the performance of services for the Partnership, members shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in
the same manner as persons employed intermittently in Federal
Government service are allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5,
United States Code.
(d) Meetings.--The Partnership shall meet at the call of the
Chairperson or a majority of its members.
(e) Quorum.--A majority of the Partnership shall constitute a
quorum.
(f) Staff.--The Secretary shall provide the Partnership with such
staff and technical assistance as the Secretary, after consultation
with the Partnership, considers appropriate to enable the Partnership
to carry out its duties. The Secretary may accept the services of
personnel detailed from the State of New Jersey, any political
subdivision of the State, or any entity represented on the Partnership.
(g) Hearings.--The Partnership may hold such hearings, sit and act
at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such
evidence as the Partnership may deem appropriate.
(h) Donations.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Partnership may seek and accept donations of funds, property, or
services from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other private
and public entities for the purpose of carrying out this section.
(i) Use of Funds To Obtain Money.--The Partnership 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.
(j) Mails.--The Partnership may use the United States mails in the
same manner and upon the same conditions as other departments and
agencies of the United States.
(k) Obtaining Property.--The Partnership may obtain by purchase,
rental, donation, or otherwise, such property, facilities, and services
as may be needed to carry out its duties, except that the Partnership
may not acquire any real property or interest in real property.
(l) Cooperative Agreements.--For purposes of carrying out the
management plan, the Partnership may enter into cooperative agreements
with the State of New Jersey, any political subdivision thereof, or
with any organization or person.
SEC. 8. PATERSON GREAT FALLS NATIONAL PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of
the National Park Service, shall establish an advisory committee to be
known as the Paterson Great Falls National Park Advisory Council. The
purpose of the Advisory Council shall be to represent various groups
with interests in the National Park and make recommendations to the
Partnership on issues related to the development and implementation of
the management plan. The Advisory Council is encouraged to establish
committees relating to specific National Park management issues, such
as education, tourism, transportation, natural resources, cultural and
historic resources, and revenue raising activities. Participation on
any such committee shall not be limited to members of the Advisory
Council.
(b) Membership.--The Advisory Council shall consist of not fewer
than 15 individuals, to be appointed by the Secretary, acting through
the Director of the National Park Service. The Secretary shall appoint
no fewer than 3 individuals to represent each of the following
categories of entities:
(1) Municipalities.
(2) Educational and cultural institutions.
(3) Environmental organizations.
(4) Business and commercial entities, including those
related to transportation and tourism.
(5) Organizations representing African American and Native
American interests in the Historic District.
(c) Procedures.--Each meeting of the Advisory Council and its
committees shall be open to the public.
(d) FACA.--The provisions of section 14 of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) are hereby waived with respect to the
Advisory Council.
SEC. 9. FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
The Secretary may provide to any owner of property within the
National Park containing nationally significant historic or cultural
resources, in accordance with cooperative agreements or grant
agreements, as appropriate, such financial and technical assistance to
mark, interpret, and restore non-Federal properties within the National
Park as the Secretary determines appropriate to carry out the purposes
of this Act, provided that--
(1) the Secretary, acting through the National Park
Service, shall have right of access at reasonable times to
public portions of the property covered by such agreements for
the purpose of conducting visitors through such properties and
interpreting them to the public; and
(2) no changes or alterations shall be made in such
properties except by mutual agreement between the Secretary and
the other parties to the agreements.
SEC. 10. ACQUISITION OF LAND.
(a) General Authority.--The Secretary may acquire land or interests
in land within the boundaries of the National Park by donation,
purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange.
(b) State Property.--Property owned by the State of New Jersey or
any political subdivision of the State may be acquired only by
donation.
(c) Consent.--No lands or interests therein within the boundaries
of the park may be acquired without the consent of the owner, unless
the Secretary determines that the land is being developed, or is
proposed to be developed, in a manner which is detrimental to the
natural, scenic, historic, and other values for which the park is
established.
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums
as may be necessary to carry out this section, provided that no funds
may be appropriated for land acquisition.
(b) Matching Requirement.--Amounts appropriated in any fiscal year
to carry out this section may only be expended on a matching basis in a
ration of at least 3 non-Federal dollars to every Federal dollar. The
non-Federal share of the match may be in the form of cash, services, or
in-kind contributions, fairly valued.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1831)
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks.
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
Llama 3.2 · runs locally in your browser
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line