US Code
CHAPTER 1005— AREAS OF NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM
§ 100507. Additional areas for System

(a)
Monitoring Areas for Inclusion in System.—
The Secretary shall investigate, study, and continually monitor the welfare of
areas whose resources exhibit qualities of national significance and that may have
potential for inclusion in the System.
(b)
Submission of List of Areas Recommended for Study for
Potential Inclusion.—
(1)
When list is to be submitted.—
At the beginning of each calendar year, with the annual budget submission,
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate
a list of areas recommended for study for potential inclusion in the System.
(2)
Factors to be considered.—
In developing the list to be submitted under this subsection, the Secretary
shall consider—
(A)
the areas that have the greatest potential to meet the established
criteria of national significance, suitability, and feasibility;
(B)
themes, sites, and resources not already adequately represented in the
System; and
(C)
public petitions and Congressional resolutions.
(3)
Accompanying synopsis.—
Accompanying the annual listing of areas shall be a synopsis, for each
report previously submitted, of the current and changed condition of the
resource integrity of the area and other relevant factors, compiled as a result
of continual periodic monitoring and embracing the period since the previous
submission or initial report submission one year earlier.
(4)
Congressional authorization required.—
No study of the potential of an area for inclusion in the System may be
initiated except as provided by specific authorization of an Act of Congress.
(5)
Authority to conduct certain activities not
limited.—
This section and sections 100901(b), 101702(b) and (c), and 102102 of this
title do not limit the authority of the Service to conduct preliminary resource
assessments, gather data on potential study areas, provide technical and
planning assistance, prepare or process nominations for administrative
designations, update previous studies, or complete reconnaissance surveys of
individual areas requiring a total expenditure of less than $25,000.
(6)
Study of rivers or trails not affected.—
This section does not apply to or affect or alter the study of—
(A)
any river segment for potential addition to the national wild and
scenic rivers system; or
(B)
any trail for potential addition to the national trails system.
(c)
Study of Areas for Potential Inclusion.—
(1)
Study to be completed within 3 years.—
The Secretary shall complete the study for each area for potential
inclusion in the System within 3 complete fiscal years following the date on
which funds are first made available for that purpose.
(2)
Opportunity for public involvement
required.—
Each study under this section shall be prepared with appropriate
opportunity for public involvement, including at least one public meeting in the
vicinity of the area under study, and after reasonable efforts to notify
potentially affected landowners and State and local governments.
(3)
Considerations.—
In conducting the study, the Secretary shall consider whether the area
under study—
(A)
possesses nationally significant natural or cultural resources and
represents one of the most important examples of a particular resource type
in the country; and
(B)
is a suitable and feasible addition to the System.
(4)
Scope of study.—
Each study—
(A)
with regard to the area being studied, shall consider—
(i)
the rarity and integrity of the resources;
(ii)
the threats to those resources;
(iii)
whether similar resources are already protected in the System or in
other public or private ownership;
(iv)
the public use potential;
(v)
the interpretive and educational potential;
(vi)
costs associated with acquisition, development, and operation;
(vii)
the socioeconomic impacts of any designation;
(viii)
the level of local and general public support; and
(ix)
whether the area is of appropriate configuration to ensure
long-term resource protection and visitor use;
(B)
shall consider whether direct Service management or alternative
protection by other public agencies or the private sector is appropriate for
the area;
(C)
shall identify what alternative or combination of alternatives would in
the professional judgment of the Director be most effective and efficient in
protecting significant resources and providing for public enjoyment; and
(D)
may include any other information that the Secretary considers to be
relevant.
(5)
Compliance with national environmental policy
act of 1969.—
Each study shall be completed in compliance with the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(6)
Recommendation of preferred management
option.—
The letter transmitting each completed study to Congress shall contain a
recommendation regarding the Secretary’s preferred management option for the
area.
(d)
List of Areas Previously Studied.—
(1)
Submission of list.—
At the beginning of each calendar year, with the annual budget submission,
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate,
in numerical order of priority for addition to the System—
(A)
a list of areas that have been previously studied that contain
primarily historical resources; and
(B)
a list of areas that have been previously studied that contain
primarily natural resources.
(2)
Considerations.—
In developing the lists, the Secretary should consider threats to resource
values, cost escalation factors, and other factors listed in subsection (c).
(3)
Areas eligible for inclusion.—
The Secretary should include on the lists only areas for which the
supporting data are current and accurate.
(e)
List of Areas That Exhibit Danger or Threats to the
Integrity of Their Resources.—
At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to the Speaker
of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate a complete and
current list of all areas listed on the Registry of Natural Landmarks, and areas of
national significance listed on the National Register of Historic places, that
exhibit known or anticipated damage or threats to the integrity of their resources,
with notations as to the nature and severity of the damage or threats.
(f)
Reports and Listings Printed as House
Documents.—
Each report and annual listing described in this section shall be printed as a
House document. If adequate supplies of previously printed identical reports remain
available, newly submitted identical reports shall be omitted from printing on
receipt by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of a joint letter from the
chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and
the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of Senate indicating
that to be the case.
(g)
Designation of Office.—
The Secretary shall designate a single office to prepare all new area studies
and to implement other functions under this section.
(h)
Authorization of Appropriations.—
(1)
Studies of potential new system units and
monitoring the welfare of system unit resources.—
To carry out studies for potential new System units and for monitoring the
welfare of historical and natural resources referred to in subparagraphs (A) and
(B) of subsection (d)(1), there is authorized to be appropriated not more than
$1,000,000 for each fiscal year.
(2)
Monitoring welfare and integrity of national
landmarks.—
To monitor the welfare and integrity of the national landmarks, there is
authorized to be appropriated not more than $1,500,000 for each fiscal year.
(3)
Carrying out subsections (b), (c), and 
1
1 So in original. Probably should
be “and”.
(g).—
To carry out subsections (b), (c), and (g), there is authorized to be
appropriated $2,000,000 for each fiscal year.

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