[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3898 Introduced in House (IH)]
103d CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 3898
To establish the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park in New
Bedford, Massachusetts, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 24, 1994
Mr. Frank of Massachusetts (for himself, Mr. Moakley, Mr. Markey, Mr.
Studds, Mr. Blute, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Torkildsen, Mr. Meehan, Mr. Neal of
Massachusetts, Mr. Olver, and Mr. Faleomavaega) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park in New
Bedford, Massachusetts, 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. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
(1) the New Bedford National Historic Landmark District and
associated historic sites as described in section 3(b),
including the Schooner Ernestina, are National Historic
Landmarks and are listed on the National Register of Historic
Places as historic sites associated with the history of whaling
in the United States;
(2) the city of New Bedford was the 19th century capital of
the world's whaling industry and retains significant
architectural features, archival materials, and museum
collections illustrative of this period;
(3) New Bedford's historic resources provide opportunities
for illustrating and interpreting the whaling industry's
contribution to the economic, social, and environmental history
of the United States and provide opportunities for public use
and enjoyment; and
(4) the National Park System presently contains no sites
commemorating whaling and its contribution to American history.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to preserve, protect, and interpret the resources that
comprise the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park,
including its architecture, setting, and associated archival
and museum collections;
(2) to collaborate with the city of New Bedford and with
local historical, cultural, and preservation organizations to
further the purposes of the park; and
(3) to provide opportunities for the inspirational benefit
and education of the American people.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Act:
(1) The term ``park'' means the New Bedford Whaling
National Historical Park established by section 3.
(2) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the
Interior.
SEC. 3. NEW BEDFORD WHALING NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.
(a) Establishment.--In order to preserve for the benefit and
inspiration of the people of the United States as a national historical
park certain districts, structures, and relics located in New Bedford,
Massachusetts, and associated with the history of whaling and related
social and economic themes in America, there is established the New
Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.
(b) Boundaries.--(1) The boundaries of the park shall be those
generally depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Park Boundaries (Map
4)'', in the document published by the National Park Service entitled
``Special Resource Study, New Bedford, Massachusetts'', dated November
1993. Such map will be on file and available for public inspection in
the appropriate offices of the National Park Service. The boundaries
shall include the following:
(A) The area included within the New Bedford National
Historic Landmark District, known as the Bedford Landing
Waterfront Historic District, as listed within the National
Register of Historic Places and in the Massachusetts State
Register of Historic Places.
(B) The National Historic Landmark Schooner Ernestina, with
its home port in New Bedford.
(C) The land along the eastern boundary of the New Bedford
National Historic Landmark District over to the east side of
MacArthur Drive from the Route 6 overpass on the north to an
extension of School Street on the south.
(D) The land north of Elm Street in New Bedford, bounded by
Acushnet Avenue on the west, Route 6 (ramps) on the north,
MacArthur Drive on the east, and Elm Street on the south.
(2) In addition to these sites, areas and relics, the Secretary may
assist in the interpretation and preservation of the following:
(A) The southwest corner of the State Pier.
(B) Waterfront Park, immediately south of land adjacent to
the State Pier.
(C) The Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum, located
at 396 County Street.
(D) The Wharfinger Building, located on Piers 3 and 4.
(E) The Bourne Counting House, located on Merrill's Wharf.
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF PARK.
(a) In General.--The park shall also be administered by the
Secretary in accordance with this Act and in accordance with the
provisions of law generally applicable to units of the national park
system, including the Act entitled ``An Act to establish a National
Park Service, and for other purposes'', approved August 25, 1916 (39
Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1, 2, 3, and 4) and the Act of August 21, 1935 (49
Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 461-467).
(b) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may consult and enter
into cooperative agreements with the New Bedford National Park
Citizens' Partnership and other interested entities and individuals to
provide for appropriate activities related to the preservation,
development, interpretation, and use of the park.
(c) Acquisition of Real and Personal Property and Services.--The
Secretary may acquire by donation, exchange, lease or purchase with
donated or appropriated funds personal property and lands and
improvements in New Bedford, Massachusetts, for the purposes of the
park.
(d) Other Property, Funds, and Services.--The Secretary may accept
and use donated funds, property, and services to carry out this Act.
SEC. 5. GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN.
Not later than the end of the second fiscal year beginning after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a general
management plan for the park and shall implement such plan. The plan
shall be prepared in accordance with section 12(b) of the Act of August
18, 1970, and other applicable law.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary to carry out this Act.
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