War in the Pacific War in the Pacific National Historic Park An Administrative History

SEC. 6. (a) In order to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of those participating in the campaigns of the Pacific theater of World War II and to conserve and interpret outstanding natural, scenic and historic values and objects on the island of Guam for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations, the War in the Pacific National Historical Park (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "park") is hereby established.

(b) The boundaries of the park shall be as generally depicted on the drawing entitled "Boundary Map, War in the Pacific National Historical Park, Guam" numbered P-24-80,000-B and dated March 1978, which shall be on file and available for inspection in the offices of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Following ninety days notice to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Secretary may make minor revisions of the boundary of the park by publication of a revised map in the Federal Register.

(c) Within the boundaries of the park, the Secretary may acquire lands and interests therein by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, exchange or transfer.

(d) Other points on the island of Guam relevant to the park may be identified, established, and marked by the Secretary in agreement with the Governor of Guam.

(e) The Secretary shall administer property acquired in accordance with the laws generally applicable to the management of units of the National Park System.

(f) The Secretary is authorized to seek the assistance of appropriate historians to interpret the historical aspects of the park. To the greatest extent possible, interpretative activities will be conducted in the following three languages: English, Chamorro, and Japanese.

(g) The Secretary is authorized to enter into negoations with the Secretary of Defense for the berthing and interpretation of a naval vessel of World War II vintage which shall be accessible to the public on the island of Guam.

(h) Within two years from the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop and transmit to the committees named in subsection (b) a general management plan for the national historical park consistent with the purposes of this section. Within five years from the date of enactment, the Secretary, through the Director of the National Park Service, shall conduct and transmit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives a study of additional areas and sites associated with the Pacific campaign of World War II. The study shall contain a description and evaluation of each area or site, and an estimated cost of acquisition, development, and maintenance of the area or site, if appropriate, together with such additional authority as may be needed to enable him to implement his recommendations. The Secretary shall concentrate his study within Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, but shall also investigate additional areas and sites within the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands to the extent possible, and may include other areas and sites in the Pacific area if practicable. [1]

( i ) The Secretary is authorized and directed to the maximum extent feasible, to employ and train residents of Guam or of the Northern Mariana Islands to develop, maintain, and administer the park.

(j) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no fee or change shall be imposed for entrance or admission into the War in the Pacific National Historical Park.

(k) For the purposes of the park established under this section, effective October 1, 1978, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary, but not to exceed $16,000,000 for the acquisition of lands or interests in lands and $500,000 for development.

¹All of paragraph 6(h) was struck out in 1994 by Public Law 103-437 (108 Stat. 4585).