§ 423l-2. — Findings and purpose.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC423l-2]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 1--NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES
SUBCHAPTER LX--NATIONAL MILITARY PARKS
Sec. 423l-2. Findings and purpose
(a) Findings
The Congress finds the following:
(1) In the Act of March 2, 1936 (Chapter 113; 49 Stat. 1155; 16
U.S.C. 423j), Congress authorized the establishment of the Richmond
National Battlefield Park, and the boundaries of the battlefield
park were established to permit the inclusion of all military
battlefield areas related to the battles fought during the Civil War
in the vicinity of the City of Richmond, Virginia. The battlefield
park originally included the area then known as the Richmond
Battlefield State Park.
(2) The total acreage identified in 1936 for consideration for
inclusion in the battlefield park consisted of approximately 225,000
acres in and around the City of Richmond. A study undertaken by the
congressionally authorized Civil War Sites Advisory Committee
determined that of these 225,000 acres, the historically significant
areas relating to the campaigns against and in defense of Richmond
encompass approximately 38,000 acres.
(3) In a 1996 general management plan, the National Park Service
identified approximately 7,121 acres in and around the City of
Richmond that satisfy the National Park Service criteria of
significance, integrity, feasibility, and suitability for inclusion
in the battlefield park. The National Park Service later identified
an additional 186 acres for inclusion in the battlefield park.
(4) There is a national interest in protecting and preserving
sites of historical significance associated with the Civil War and
the City of Richmond.
(5) The Commonwealth of Virginia and its local units of
government have authority to prevent or minimize adverse uses of
these historic resources and can play a significant role in the
protection of the historic resources related to the campaigns
against and in defense of Richmond.
(6) The preservation of the New Market Heights Battlefield in
the vicinity of the City of Richmond is an important aspect of
American history that can be interpreted to the public. The Battle
of New Market Heights represents a premier landmark in black
military history as 14 black Union soldiers were awarded the Medal
of Honor in recognition of their valor during the battle. According
to National Park Service historians, the sacrifices of the United
States Colored Troops in this battle helped to ensure the passage of
the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution to
abolish slavery.
(b) Purpose
It is the purpose of sections 423l-1 to 423l-6 of this title--
(1) to revise the boundaries for the Richmond National
Battlefield Park based on the findings of the Civil War Sites
Advisory Committee and the National Park Service; and
(2) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to work in
cooperation with the Commonwealth of Virginia, the City of Richmond,
other political subdivisions of the Commonwealth, other public
entities, and the private sector in the management, protection, and
interpretation of the resources associated with the Civil War and
the Civil War battles in and around the City of Richmond, Virginia.
(Pub. L. 106-511, title V, Sec. 502, Nov. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2373.)
References in Text
The Act of March 2, 1936, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is act Mar.
2, 1936, ch. 113, 49 Stat. 1155, which was classified generally to
sections 423j to 423l of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 106-511,
title V, Sec. 507, Nov. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2376.
Sections 423l-1 to 423l-6 of this title, referred to in subsec. (b),
was in the original ``this title'', meaning title V of Pub. L. 106-511,
Nov. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2373, which enacted sections 423l-1 to 423l-6
of this title and repealed sections 423j to 423l of this title. For
complete classification of title V to the Code, see Tables.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in sections 423l-1, 423l-4, 423l-5,
423l-6 of this title.
