Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to evaluate the significance of the Newtown Battlefield in Chemung County, New York (where the Battle of Newtown was fought on August 29, 1779, during the Revolutionary War), as well as the suitability and feasibility of the Battlefield's inclusion in the National Park System.
[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4448 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4448
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource
study to evaluate the significance of the Newtown Battlefield located
in Chemung County, New York, and the suitability and feasibility of its
inclusion in the National Park System, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 13, 2010
Mr. Massa (for himself, Mr. Maffei, Mrs. Maloney, Mr. Higgins, Mr.
Hinchey, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Bishop of New York, Mr. Nadler of
New York, Mr. Israel, Mr. McMahon, and Mr. Sestak) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource
study to evaluate the significance of the Newtown Battlefield located
in Chemung County, New York, and the suitability and feasibility of its
inclusion in the National Park System, 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. 1779 BATTLE OF NEWTOWN STUDY.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds as follows:
(1) In 1972, the Newtown Battlefield was recognized by the
Federal Government as a significant historic resource by the
designation of the Newtown Battlefield National Historic
Landmark, consisting of approximately 2,100 acres in the towns
of Ashland, Chemung, and Elmira in the County of Chemung, New
York.
(2) The Sullivan Campaign of 1779 was a significant event
in the history of American Revolutionary War.
(3) The Battle of Newtown, fought on August 29, 1779, was
the most significant military engagement of the Sullivan
Campaign.
(4) The National Park Service's 2007 Report on the Historic
Preservation of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Sites in the
United States categorized Newtown Battlefield as a Class A
site.
(5) The designation of Newtown Battlefield as a Class A
site evinces a conclusion that the battlefield is a site of a
military action with a vital objective or result that shaped
the strategy, direction, outcome, or perception of the
Revolutionary War.
(6) The report also found that Newtown Battlefield is a
site that has experienced little alteration since the
Revolutionary War and that it is largely unprotected by other
public historic preservation agencies or nonprofit
organizations.
(b) Definitions.--For purposes of this Act:
(1) Newtown battlefield.--The term ``Newtown Battlefield''
means the area encompassed by the 1972 designation of the
Newtown Battlefield National Historic Landmark, and other
associated lands related to the Battle of Newtown located in
the towns of Elmira, Chemung, and Ashland, in Chemung County,
New York.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(c) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date that funds are
made available for this section, the Secretary shall conduct a special
resource study to evaluate the significance of the Newtown Battlefield
in Chemung County, New York, as well as the suitability and feasibility
of its inclusion in the National Park System.
(d) Criteria for Study.--In conducting the study authorized by this
Act, the Secretary shall use the criteria for the study of areas for
potential inclusion in the National Park System contained in section
8(b) of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. 1a-5(b)).
(e) Content of Study.--The study shall include an analysis of the
following:
(1) The significance of the Battle of Newtown to the
Sullivan Campaign and the significance of the Campaign in
relation to the military objectives of the Continental Army in
1779.
(2) Opportunities for public enjoyment of the Newtown
Battlefield.
(3) Any operational, management, and private property
issues that need to be considered if the Newtown Battlefield
were added to the National Park System.
(4) A determination of the feasibility of administering the
Newtown Battlefield considering its size, configuration,
ownership, costs, and other factors.
(5) An evaluation of the adequacy of other alternatives for
the management and resource protection of the Newtown
Battlefield.
(6) An analysis of the impact, economic and otherwise, on
the Chemung County community, of the inclusion of Newtown
Battlefield into the National Park System.
(f) Submission of Report.--Upon completion of the study, the
Secretary shall submit a report on the findings of the study to the
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and to
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
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