§410iii–7 Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Advisory Commission

Summary

Creates a 15-member advisory commission for Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park. The commission must advise the Secretary on making and carrying out the park’s general management plan. It must also help find important sites outside the park boundary that are needed to meet the park’s purposes. The Secretary appoints the 15 members: one from the Commonwealth of Virginia; five from local governments (Strasburg, Middletown, Frederick County, Shenandoah County, and Warren County); two private landowners in the park; one citizen group representative; one each from the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, Belle Grove, Inc., the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation; and one ex‑officio representative from the National Park Service and one from the U.S. Forest Service. The commission elects a chair for a one‑year term, renewable once. Members serve three‑year terms and may be reappointed for not more than two successive terms. Initial appointments are staggered (4 for 1 year, 5 for 2 years, 6 for 3 years). The commission acts by majority vote, meets at least quarterly, and needs 8 members for a quorum. Members are unpaid, but allowed travel expenses under federal rules. The commission may hold hearings and take testimony but may not issue subpoenas.