§100506 Boundary Changes to System Units

Summary

Requires the Secretary to keep clear rules for looking at any suggested changes to the borders of national park units. The rules must check if current borders protect the unit’s natural, historic, cultural, scenic, and recreational resources. Each land parcel proposed to be added or removed must be reviewed. The rules must also include an overall look at how a change would affect local communities and other relevant factors. When the Secretary proposes a border change, the Secretary must talk with state and local agencies, nearby communities, affected landowners, and relevant organizations. The proposal must use the rules above and include a statement showing the results. It must also give a cost estimate for buying any parcels, explain how the estimate was made, and rank the priority for buying those parcels. For small boundary changes needed for proper protection or management, the Secretary may make the change after giving timely written notice to the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and publishing a revised map or description in the Federal Register. Small changes can add land by donation, purchase with donated funds, transfer, or exchange, but the Secretary may not trade away park property, may not take land without the owner’s consent, and may only accept State-owned land as a donation. The Secretary must consult local taxing jurisdictions, inform the public, and manage added lands under the unit’s rules. Minor changes (not just technical fixes) can only be made if all conditions are met, including limits of 5 percent and under 200 acres total change, a combined appraised value no greater than $750,000, public review, owner consent, and that the land touches other federal land managed by the Director. Deleting federally owned acreage from a unit can be done only by an Act of Congress.