§410aa–1 Lands and property

Summary

The park covers the land shown on the map titled "Valley Forge National Historical Park," dated June 1979, number VF–91,001. Copies of the map are kept at the National Park Service in Washington, D.C., and at the park superintendent’s office. The Secretary may make small boundary changes when needed, but must first notify the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources in writing and publish a revised map or boundary in the Federal Register. Inside the park, the Secretary may get land by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, exchange, or transfer. Land owned by Pennsylvania or its local governments can only be acquired by donation, and such donations cannot be dated before October 1, 1976. Owners of "improved property" — a detached, noncommercial house started before January 1, 1975, plus the land and accessory buildings needed for its use — may keep the right to live there for noncommercial residential use for up to 25 years or instead until the owner’s or spouse’s death (whichever is later). The owner chooses the term. If the property is bought, the Secretary must pay the fair market value at acquisition minus the value of the retained right. The Secretary can end a retained right if its use conflicts with park purposes and must pay the fair market value of the remaining time.