Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park Act
Sponsored By: Representative Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced
Summary
Would create the Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park to protect, interpret, and expand the capital’s Civil War fortifications and related sites. The bill centers preservation and public education about the forts, batteries, trenches, and roads that defended Washington and connects that story to the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Homeowner protections and voluntary sales
If enacted, the Secretary could buy eligible non-Federal properties only from willing sellers and only if donated funds or Congress provides money. The Secretary would need the owner's written consent before including private property in the park. The Secretary would be barred from using eminent domain to acquire land for the park.
Local site partnerships and donations
If enacted, the Secretary could enter cooperative agreements to affiliate privately or locally owned Civil War sites with the park. The Secretary could provide technical help, allow visitor services and nearby facilities, and mark historic sites with owner consent. The Secretary could accept gifts, bequests, donated labor, and other donations to preserve or provide access to park resources.
New Civil War National Park
If enacted, the bill would redesignate the Civil War defenses of Washington as the Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park. It would place specific federally owned forts and related areas under National Park Service administration. Maps kept by the Secretary would show the exact park boundaries. The Secretary would manage the park under laws that apply to National Park System units.
Study and report on Civil War history
If enacted, the Secretary would study creative, cost‑effective ways to present Civil War history, including the defenses of Washington and the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864. The Secretary would seek help from historians, organizations, and donors and consider reuse of sites and donated funding. The Secretary would send recommendations to the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources within one year of enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov