16 U.S.C. § 462 : US Code - Section 462: Administration by Secretary of the Interior; powers and duties enumerated

Search 16 U.S.C. § 462 : US Code - Section 462: Administration by Secretary of the Interior; powers and duties enumerated

The Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter in sections 461 to 467
of this title referred to as the Secretary), through the National
Park Service, for the purpose of effectuating the policy expressed
in section 461 of this title, shall have the following powers and
perform the following duties and functions:
(a) Secure, collate, and preserve drawings, plans, photographs,
and other data of historic and archaeologic sites, buildings, and
objects.
(b) Make a survey of historic and archaeologic sites, buildings,
and objects for the purpose of determining which possess
exceptional value as commemorating or illustrating the history of
the United States.
(c) Make necessary investigations and researches in the United
States relating to particular sites, buildings, or objects to
obtain true and accurate historical and archaeological facts and
information concerning the same.
(d) For the purpose of sections 461 to 467 of this title, acquire
in the name of the United States by gift, purchase, or otherwise
any property, personal or real, or any interest or estate therein,
title to any real property to be satisfactory to the Secretary:
Provided, That no such property which is owned by any religious or
educational institution, or which is owned or administered for the
benefit of the public shall be so acquired without the consent of
the owner: Provided further, That no such property shall be
acquired or contract or agreement for the acquisition thereof made
which will obligate the general fund of the Treasury for the
payment of such property, unless or until Congress has appropriated
money which is available for that purpose.
(e) Contract and make cooperative agreements with States,
municipal subdivisions, corporations, associations, or individuals,
with proper bond where deemed advisable, to protect, preserve,
maintain, or operate any historic or archaeologic building, site,
object, or property used in connection therewith for public use,
regardless as to whether the title thereto is in the United States:
Provided, That no contract or cooperative agreement shall be made
or entered into which will obligate the general fund of the
Treasury unless or until Congress has appropriated money for such
purpose.
(f) Restore, reconstruct, rehabilitate, preserve, and maintain
historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties
of national historical or archaeological significance and where
deemed desirable establish and maintain museums in connection
therewith.
(g) Erect and maintain tablets to mark or commemorate historic or
prehistoric places and events of national historical or
archaeological significance.
(h) Operate and manage historic and archaeologic sites,
buildings, and properties acquired under the provisions of sections
461 to 467 of this title together with lands and subordinate
buildings for the benefit of the public, such authority to include
the power to charge reasonable visitation fees and grant
concessions, leases, or permits for the use of land, building
space, roads, or trails when necessary or desirable either to
accommodate the public or to facilitate administration: Provided,
That the Secretary may grant such concessions, leases, or permits
and enter into contracts relating to the same with responsible
persons, firms, or corporations without advertising and without
securing competitive bids.
(i) When the Secretary determines that it would be
administratively burdensome to restore, reconstruct, operate, or
maintain any particular historic or archaeologic site, building, or
property donated to the United States through the National Park
Service, he may cause the same to be done by organizing a
corporation for that purpose under the laws of the District of
Columbia or any State.
(j) Develop an educational program and service for the purpose of
making available to the public facts and information pertaining to
American historic and archaeologic sites, buildings, and properties
of national significance. Reasonable charges may be made for the
dissemination of any such facts or information.
(k) Perform any and all acts, and make such rules and regulations
not inconsistent with sections 461 to 467 of this title as may be
necessary and proper to carry out the provisions thereof. Any
person violating any of the rules and regulations authorized by
said sections shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500 and
be adjudged to pay all cost of the proceedings.