16 U.S.C. § 423l-2 : US Code - Section 423L-2: Findings and purpose

Search 16 U.S.C. § 423l-2 : US Code - Section 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.