2021 US Code
Title 54 - National Park Service and Related Programs
Subtitle III - National Preservation Programs
Division B - Organizations and Programs
Content -471

In this chapter:

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3249.)

(a) Establishment.—To further the policy enunciated in chapter 3201 of this title, and to facilitate public participation in the preservation of sites, buildings, and objects of national significance or interest, there is established a charitable, educational, and nonprofit corporation to be known as the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States.

(b) Purposes.—The purposes of the National Trust shall be to—

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3249.)

The National Trust shall have its principal office in the District of Columbia and shall be deemed, for purposes of venue in civil actions, to be a resident of the District of Columbia. The National Trust may establish offices in other places as it may consider necessary or appropriate in the conduct of its business.

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3249.)

The words "inhabitant and" are omitted as unnecessary.

(a) Membership.—The affairs of the National Trust shall be under the general direction of a board of trustees composed as follows:

(b) Designation of Another Officer.—The Attorney General and the Secretary, when it appears desirable in the interest of the conduct of the business of the Board and to such extent as they consider it advisable, may, by written notice to the National Trust, designate any officer of their respective departments to act for them in the discharge of their duties as a member of the Board.

(c) General Trustees.—

(d) Chairman.—The chairman of the Board shall be elected by a majority vote of the members of the Board.

(e) Compensation and Reimbursement.—No compensation shall be paid to the members of the Board for their services as such members, but they shall be reimbursed for travel and actual expenses necessarily incurred by them in attending board meetings and performing other official duties on behalf of the National Trust at the direction of the Board.

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3249.)

(a) In General.—To the extent necessary to enable it to carry out the functions vested in it by this chapter, the National Trust has the general powers described in this section.

(b) Succession.—The National Trust has succession until dissolved by Act of Congress, in which event title to the property of the National Trust, both real and personal, shall, insofar as consistent with existing contractual obligations and subject to all other legally enforceable claims or demands by or against the National Trust, pass to and become vested in the United States.

(c) Sue and Be Sued.—The National Trust may sue and be sued in its corporate name.

(d) Corporate Seal.—The National Trust may adopt, alter, and use a corporate seal that shall be judicially noticed.

(e) Constitution, Bylaws, and Regulations.—The National Trust may adopt a constitution and prescribe such bylaws and regulations, not inconsistent with the laws of the United States or of any State, as it considers necessary for the administration of its functions under this chapter, including among other matters, bylaws and regulations governing visitation to historic properties, administration of corporate funds, and the organization and procedure of the Board.

(f) Personal Property.—The National Trust may accept, hold, and administer gifts and bequests of money, securities, or other personal property of any character, absolutely or in trust, for the purposes for which the National Trust is created. Unless otherwise restricted by the terms of a gift or bequest, the National Trust may sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, and invest or reinvest in investments as it may determine from time to time, the moneys, securities, or other property given or bequeathed to it. The principal of corporate funds and the income from those funds and all other revenues received by the National Trust from any source shall be placed in such depositories as the National Trust shall determine and shall be subject to expenditure by the National Trust for its corporate purposes.

(g) Real Property.—The National Trust may acquire by gift, devise, purchase, or otherwise, absolutely or in trust, and hold and, unless otherwise restricted by the terms of the gift or devise, encumber, convey, or otherwise dispose of, any real property, or any estate or interest in real property (except property within the exterior boundaries of a System unit), as may be necessary and proper in carrying into effect the purposes of the National Trust.

(h) Contracts and Cooperative Agreements Respecting Protection, Preservation, Maintenance, or Operation.—The National Trust may contract and make cooperative agreements with Federal, State, or local agencies, corporations, associations, or individuals, under terms and conditions that the National Trust considers advisable, respecting the protection, preservation, maintenance, or operation of any historic site, building, object, or property used in connection with the site, building, object, or property for public use, regardless of whether the National Trust has acquired title to the property, or any interest in the property.

(i) Enter Into Contracts and Execute Instruments.—The National Trust may enter into contracts generally and execute all instruments necessary or appropriate to carry out its corporate purposes, including concession contracts, leases, or permits for the use of land, buildings, or other property considered desirable either to accommodate the public or to facilitate administration.

(j) Officers, Agents, and Employees.—The National Trust may appoint and prescribe the duties of officers, agents, and employees as may be necessary to carry out its functions, and fix and pay compensation to them for their services as the National Trust may determine.

(k) Lawful Acts.—The National Trust may generally do any and all lawful acts necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes for which the National Trust is created.

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3250.)

In subsection (h), the words "local agencies" are substituted for "municipal departments or agencies" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.

In carrying out its functions under this chapter, the National Trust may consult with the National Park System Advisory Board on matters relating to the selection of sites, buildings, and objects to be preserved and protected pursuant to this chapter.

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3251.)

The words "National Park System Advisory Board" are substituted for "Advisory Board on National Parks, Historic Sites, Buildings, and Museums" because the Board was renamed when section 3 of the Act of August 21, 1935 (known as the Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act (ch. 593, 49 Stat. 667)) was amended by section 9 of Public Law 91–383, as added by section 2 of Public Law 94–458 (90 Stat. 1940).

In this chapter, the term "Commission" means the Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad established under section 312303 of this title.

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3252.)

Because the fabric of a society is strengthened by visible reminders of the historical roots of the society, it is in the national interest to encourage the preservation and protection of the cemeteries, monuments, and historic buildings associated with the foreign heritage of United States citizens.

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3252.)

(a) Establishment.—There is established a commission to be known as the Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad.

(b) Membership.—The Commission shall consist of 21 members appointed by the President, 7 of whom shall be appointed after consultation with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and 7 of whom shall be appointed after consultation with the President pro tempore of the Senate.

(c) Term.—

(d) Chairman.—The President shall designate the Chairman of the Commission from among its members.

(e) Meetings.—The Commission shall meet at least once every 6 months.

(f) Compensation and Expenses.—

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3252.)

In subsection (c), the text of 16 U.S.C. 469j(d)(2)(B) is omitted as obsolete.

(a) Duties.—The Commission shall—

(b) Powers.—

(c) Administrative Support.—The Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission on a reimbursable basis administrative support services as the Commission may request.

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3252.)

In subsection (a)(2), the word "Secretary" is substituted for "Department" because of 22 U.S.C. 2651 and 2651a(a).

In subsection (b)(3), the words "under section 5376 of title 5" are substituted for "for grade GS–18 of the General Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5332(a))" because of section 529 [title I, §101(c)(1)] of the Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations Act, 1991 (Public Law 101–509, 5 U.S.C. 5376 note).

¹ So in original. Probably should be "commission".

As soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, the Commission shall transmit to the President a report that includes—

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3253.)

The words "and to each House of Congress" are omitted pursuant to section 3003 of the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995 (31 U.S.C. 1113 note). See the 4th item on page 174 of House Document No. 103–7.

In this chapter, the term "State" includes a State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3254.)

The words "the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands" are omitted as obsolete. See note at 48 U.S.C. prec. 1681. For continued application of certain laws of the United States in certain cases, see the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America (48 U.S.C. 1801 note), the Compact of Free Association between the Government of the United States of America and the Governments of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia (48 U.S.C. 1901 note), and the Compact of Free Association between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Palau (48 U.S.C. 1931 note).

(a) Activity of Federal Agency.—

(b) Activity of Private Person, Association, or Public Entity.—

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3254.)

(a) In General.—The Secretary, on notification, in writing, by any Federal or State agency or appropriate historical or archeological authority that scientific, prehistorical, historical, or archeological data are being or may be irrevocably lost or destroyed by any Federal or federally assisted or licensed project, activity, or program, shall, if the Secretary determines that the data are significant and are being or may be irrevocably lost or destroyed and after reasonable notice to the agency responsible for funding or licensing the project, activity, or program—

(b) When Survey or Recovery Not Required.—No survey or recovery work shall be required pursuant to this section that, in the determination of the head of the responsible agency, would impede Federal or federally assisted or licensed projects or activities undertaken in connection with any emergency, including projects or activities undertaken in anticipation of, or as a result of, a natural disaster.

(c) Initiation of Survey.—The Secretary shall initiate the survey or recovery effort within—

(d) Compensation by Secretary.—The Secretary shall, unless otherwise agreed to in writing, compensate any person, association, or public entity damaged as a result of delays in construction or as a result of the temporary loss of the use of private or nonfederally owned land.

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3255.)

(a) Progress Reports to Funding or Licensing Agency.—The Secretary shall keep the agency responsible for funding or licensing the project notified at all times of the progress of any survey made under this chapter or of any work undertaken as a result of a survey, in order that there will be as little disruption or delay as possible in the carrying out of the functions of the agency. The survey and recovery programs shall terminate at a time agreed on by the Secretary and the head of the agency unless extended by agreement.

(b) Disposition of Relics and Specimens.—The Secretary shall consult with any interested Federal and State agencies, educational and scientific organizations, private institutions, and qualified individuals, with a view to determining the ownership of, and the most appropriate repository for, any relics and specimens recovered as a result of any work performed as provided for in this section.

(c) Coordination of Activities.—The Secretary shall coordinate all Federal survey and recovery activities authorized under this chapter.

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3255.)

(a) In General.—Before any Federal agency undertakes the construction of a dam, or issues a license to any private individual or corporation for the construction of a dam, it shall give written notice to the Secretary setting forth the site of the proposed dam and the approximate area to be flooded and otherwise changed if construction is undertaken.

(b) Dams With Certain Detention Capacity or Reservoir.—With respect to any flood water retarding dam that provides fewer than 5,000 acre-feet of detention capacity, and with respect to any other type of dam that creates a reservoir of fewer than 40 surface acres, this section shall apply only when the constructing agency, in its preliminary surveys, finds or is presented with evidence that historical or archeological materials exist or may be present in the proposed reservoir area.

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3256.)

In subsection (a), the words "Federal agency" are substituted for "agency of the United States" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.

In the administration of this chapter, the Secretary may—

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3256.)

(a) Assistance of Federal Agencies.—To carry out this chapter, any Federal agency responsible for a construction project may assist the Secretary or may transfer to the Secretary funds as may be agreed on, but not more than 1 percent of the total amount authorized to be appropriated for the project, except that the 1 percent limitation under this section shall not apply if the cost of the project is $50,000 or less. The costs of the survey, recovery, analysis, and publication shall be deemed nonreimbursable project costs.

(b) Availability of Appropriations.—Amounts appropriated for purposes of this section shall remain available until expended.

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3256.)

In subsection (a), the text of 16 U.S.C. 469c(b) and (c) is omitted as obsolete. The words "cost of the" are added for clarity.

In subsection (b), the words "Beginning fiscal year 1979" are omitted as obsolete.

Notwithstanding section 312507(a) of this title or any other provision of law—

(Pub. L. 113–287, §3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3256.)