H.R. 359 – Reading Mode

Calendar No. 646

118th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 359

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

November 7, 2023

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

November 21, 2024

Reported by Mr. Manchin, with an amendment

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

AN ACT

To establish Fort San Gerónimo del Boquerón in Puerto Rico as an affiliated area of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Fort San Gerónimo Preservation Act.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Fort San Gerónimo del Boquerón

The term Fort San Gerónimo del Boquerón (also known as Fortín de San Gerónimo del Boquerón) means the fort and grounds listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located near Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

(2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

Establishment of affiliated area

(a)

In general

Fort San Gerónimo del Boquerón in Puerto Rico is established as an affiliated area of the National Park System.

(b)

Description of affiliated area

The affiliated area shall consist of the area generally depicted on the map titled Fort San Gerónimo Proposed Affiliated Area, numbered 910/176698, and dated July 2021.

(c)

Administration

The affiliated area shall be managed in accordance with—

(1)

this Act; and

(2)

any law generally applicable to units of the National Park System.

(d)

Management entity

The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture shall be the management entity for the affiliated area.

(e)

Cooperative agreements

The Secretary may provide technical assistance and enter into cooperative agreements with the management entity for the purpose of providing financial assistance for the marketing, marking, interpretation, and preservation of the affiliated area.

(f)

Limited role of the secretary

Nothing in this section authorizes the Secretary to acquire property at the affiliated area or to assume managerial or financial responsibility for the operation, maintenance, or management of the affiliated area.

(g)

Management plan

(1)

In general

The Secretary, in consultation with the management entity, shall develop a management plan for the affiliated area.

(2)

Transmittal

Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall submit the management plan developed under paragraph (1) to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.

(h)

Private Property Protection

Nothing in this Act affects the land use rights of private property owners adjacent to Fort San Gerónimo del Boquerón.

(i)

No Buffer Zones

(1)

In general

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to create buffer zones outside of Fort San Gerónimo del Boquerón.

(2)

Activity or use outside Fort San Gerónimo del Boquerón

The fact that an activity or use can be seen, heard, or detected from within Fort San Gerónimo del Boquerón shall not preclude, limit, control, regulate, or determine the conduct or management of activities or uses outside of Fort San Gerónimo del Boquerón.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Fort San Gerónimo Preservation Act.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Affiliated area

The term affiliated area means the affiliated area established by section 3(a).

(2)

Fort San Gerónimo del Boquerón

(3)

Management entity

The term management entity means the management entity for the affiliated area designated by section 3(d).

(4)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

Establishment of affiliated area

(a)

In general

Fort San Gerónimo del Boquerón in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is established as an affiliated area of the National Park System.

(b)

Description of affiliated area

The affiliated area shall consist of the area generally depicted on the map entitled Fort San Gerónimo Proposed Affiliated Area, numbered 910/176698, and dated July 2021.

(c)

Administration

The affiliated area shall be managed in accordance with—

(1)

this Act; and

(2)

any law generally applicable to units of the National Park System.

(d)

Management entity

The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture shall be the management entity for the affiliated area.

(e)

Agreements

The Secretary—

(1)

may provide technical assistance and enter into cooperative agreements with the management entity for the purpose of providing financial assistance for the marketing, marking, interpretation, and preservation of the affiliated area; and

(2)

shall enter into an agreement with the management entity that describes the roles and responsibilities for the management of the affiliated area consistent with the policies and standards that apply to units of the National Park System.

(f)

Limited role of the secretary

Nothing in this section authorizes the Secretary—

(1)

to acquire property at the affiliated area; or

(2)

to assume managerial or financial responsibility for the operation, maintenance, or management of the affiliated area.

(g)

Private Property Protection

Nothing in this Act affects the land use rights of private property owners adjacent to Fort San Gerónimo del Boquerón.

November 21, 2024

Reported with an amendment