NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND RELATED PROGRAMS

• Citation: 54 U.S.C.
• Sections: 363

§ 100101 Promotion and regulation

(a) In General .—The Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, shall promote and regulate the use of the National Park System by means and measures that conform to the fundamental purpose of the System units, which purpose is to conserve the scenery, natural and historic objects, and wild life in the System units and to provide for the enjoyment of the scenery, natural and historic objects, and wild life in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.

(b) Declarations.—

(1) 1970 declarations .—Congress declares that—

(A) the National Park System, which began with establishment of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, has since grown to include superlative natural, historic, and recreation areas in every major region of the United States and its territories and possessions;

(B) these areas, though distinct in character, are united through their interrelated purposes and resources into one National Park System as cumulative expressions of a single national heritage;

(C) individually and collectively, these areas derive increased national dignity and recognition of their superb environmental quality through their inclusion jointly with each other in one System preserved and managed for the benefit and inspiration of all the people of the United States; and

(D) it is the purpose of this division to include all these areas in the System and to clarify the authorities applicable to the System.

(2) 1978 reaffirmation .—Congress reaffirms, declares, and directs that the promotion and regulation of the various System units shall be consistent with and founded in the purpose established by subsection (a), to the common benefit of all the people of the United States. The authorization of activities shall be construed and the protection, management, and administration of the System units shall be conducted in light of the high public value and integrity of the System and shall not be exercised in derogation of the values and purposes for which the System units have been established, except as directly and specifically provided by Congress.

§ 100102 Definitions

In this title:

(1) Director .—The term "Director" means the Director of the National Park Service.

(2) National park system .—The term "National Park System" means the areas of land and water described in section 100501 of this title.

(3) Secretary .—The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior.

(4) Service .—The term "Service" means the National Park Service.

(5) System .—The term "System" means the National Park System.

(6) System unit .—The term "System unit" means one of the areas described in section 100501 of this title.

§ 100301 Establishment

There is in the Department of the Interior a service called the National Park Service.

§ 100302 Directors and other employees

(a) Director.—

(1) Appointment .—The Service shall be under the charge of a director who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(2) Qualifications .—The Director shall have substantial experience and demonstrated competence in land management and natural or cultural resource conservation.

(3) Authority .—Under the direction of the Secretary, the Director shall have the supervision, management, and control of System units. In the supervision, management, and control of System units contiguous to national forests the Secretary of Agriculture may cooperate with the Service to such extent as may be requested by the Secretary.

(b) Deputy Directors .—The Director shall select 2 Deputy Directors. One Deputy Director shall have responsibility for Service operations, and the other Deputy Director shall have responsibility for other programs assigned to the Service.

(c) Other Employees .—The Service shall have such subordinate officers and employees as may be appropriated for by Congress.

§ 100303 Effect on other laws

This chapter and sections 100101(a), 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of this title do not affect or modify section 100902(a) of this title.

§ 100501 Areas included in System

The System shall include any area of land and water administered by the Secretary, acting through the Director, for park, monument, historic, parkway, recreational, or other purposes.

§ 100502 General management plans

General management plans for the preservation and use of each System unit, including areas within the national capital area, shall be prepared and revised in a timely manner by the Director. On January 1 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a list indicating the current status of completion or revision of general management plans for each System unit. General management plans for each System unit shall include—

(1) measures for the preservation of the area's resources;

(2) indications of types and general intensities of development (including visitor circulation and transportation patterns, systems, and modes) associated with public enjoyment and use of the area, including general locations, timing of implementation, and anticipated costs;

(3) identification of and implementation commitments for visitor carrying capacities for all areas of the System unit; and

(4) indications of potential modifications to the external boundaries of the System unit, and the reasons for the modifications.

§ 100503 Five-year strategic plans

(a) Strategic and Performance Plans .—Each System unit shall prepare and make available to the public a 5-year strategic plan and an annual performance plan. The plans shall reflect the Service policies, goals, and outcomes represented in the Service-wide strategic plan prepared pursuant to section 306 of title 5.

(b) Annual Budget.—

(1) In general .—As a part of the annual performance plan for a System unit prepared pursuant to subsection (a), following receipt of the appropriation for the unit from the Operations of the National Park System account (but not later than January 1 of each year), the superintendent of the System unit shall develop and make available to the public the budget for the current fiscal year for that System unit.

(2) Contents .—The budget shall include—

(A) funding allocations for resource preservation (including resource management), visitor services (including maintenance, interpretation, law enforcement, and search and rescue), and administration; and

(B) allocations into each of the categories in subparagraph (A) of all funds retained from fees collected for that year, including special use permits, concession franchise fees, and recreation use and entrance fees.

§ 100504 Study and planning of park, parkway, and recreational-area facilities

(a) In General.—

(1) Definition .—In this subsection, the term "State" means a State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

(2) Study .—The Secretary shall cause the Service to make a comprehensive study, other than on land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture, of the public park, parkway, and recreational area programs of the United States, States, and political subdivisions of States and of areas of land throughout the United States that are or may be chiefly valuable as public park, parkway, or recreational areas. A study shall not be made in any State without the consent and approval of the State officials, boards, or departments having jurisdiction over the land. The study shall be such as, in the judgment of the Secretary, will provide data helpful in developing a plan for coordinated and adequate public park, parkway, and recreational-area facilities for the people of the United States.

(3) Cooperation and agreements with other entities .—In making the study and to accomplish the purposes of this section, the Secretary, acting through the Director—

(A) shall seek and accept the cooperation and assistance of Federal departments or agencies having jurisdiction of land belonging to the United States; and

(B) may cooperate and make agreements with and seek and accept the assistance of—

(i) other Federal agencies and instrumentalities; and

(ii) States, political subdivisions of States, and agencies and instrumentalities of either of them.

(4) State planning .—For the purpose of developing coordinated and adequate public park, parkway, and recreational-area facilities for the people of the United States, the Secretary may aid States and political subdivisions of States in planning public park, parkway, and recreational areas and in cooperating with one another to accomplish these ends. Aid shall be made available through the Service acting in cooperation with such State agencies or agencies of political subdivisions of States as the Secretary considers best.

(b) Consent of Congress to Agreements Between States .—The consent of Congress is given to any 2 or more States to negotiate and enter into compacts or agreements with one another with reference to planning, establishing, developing, improving, and maintaining any park, parkway, or recreational area. No compact or agreement shall be effective until approved by the legislatures of the States that are parties to the compact or agreement and by Congress.

§ 100505 Periodic review of System

(a) Authority of Secretary To Conduct Review .—The Secretary shall conduct a systematic and comprehensive review of certain aspects of the System and on a periodic basis (but not less often than every 3 years) submit to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report on the findings of the review, together with recommendations as the Secretary determines to be necessary.

(b) Consultation .—In conducting and preparing the report, the Secretary shall consult with appropriate officials of affected Federal, State, and local agencies and national, regional, and local organizations. The consultation shall include holding public hearings that the Secretary determines to be appropriate to provide a full opportunity for public comment.

(c) Contents of report .—The report shall contain the following:

(1) A comprehensive listing of all authorized but unacquired parcels of land within the exterior boundaries of each System unit as of November 28, 1990.

(2) A priority listing of all those unacquired parcels by System unit and for the System as a whole. The list shall describe the acreage and ownership of each parcel, the estimated cost of acquisition for each parcel (subject to any statutory acquisition limitations for the land), and the basis for the estimate.

(3) An analysis and evaluation of the current and future needs of each System unit for resource management, interpretation, construction, operation and maintenance, personnel, and housing, together with an estimate of the costs.

§ 100506 Boundary changes to System units

(a) Criteria for Evaluation .—The Secretary shall maintain criteria to evaluate any proposed changes to the boundaries of System units, including—

(1) analysis of whether or not an existing boundary provides for the adequate protection and preservation of the natural, historic, cultural, scenic and recreational resources integral to the System unit;

(2) an evaluation of each parcel proposed for addition or deletion to a System unit based on the analysis under paragraph (1); and

(3) an assessment of the impact of potential boundary adjustments taking into consideration the factors in section 100505(c)(3) of this title and the effect of the adjustments on the local communities and surrounding area.

(b) Proposal of Secretary .—In proposing a boundary change to a System unit, the Secretary shall—

(1) consult with affected agencies of State and local governments, surrounding communities, affected landowners, and private national, regional, and local organizations;

(2) apply the criteria developed pursuant to subsection (a) and accompany the proposal with a statement reflecting the results of the application of the criteria; and

(3) include with the proposal an estimate of the cost for acquiring any parcels proposed for acquisition, the basis for the estimate, and a statement on the relative priority for the acquisition of each parcel within the priorities for acquisition of other parcels for the System unit and for the System.

(c) Minor Boundary Changes.—

(1) In general .—When the Secretary determines that to do so will contribute to, and is necessary for, the proper preservation, protection, interpretation, or management of a System unit, the Secretary may, following timely notice in writing to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate of the Secretary's intention to do so, and by publication of a revised boundary map or other description in the Federal Register—

(A) make minor changes to the boundary of the System unit, and amounts appropriated from the Fund shall be available for acquisition of any land, water, and interests in land or water added to the System unit by the boundary change subject to such statutory limitations, if any, on methods of acquisition and appropriations thereof as may be specifically applicable to the System unit; and

(B) acquire by donation, purchase with donated funds, transfer from any other Federal agency, or exchange, land, water, or interests in land or water adjacent to the System unit, except that in exercising the Secretary's authority under this subparagraph the Secretary—

(i) shall not alienate property administered as part of the System to acquire land by exchange;

(ii) shall not acquire property without the consent of the owner; and

(iii) may acquire property owned by a State or political subdivision of a State only by donation.

(2) Consultation .—Prior to making a determination under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with the governing body of the county, city, town, or other jurisdiction or jurisdictions having primary taxing authority over the land or interest to be acquired as to the impacts of the proposed action.

(3) Action to advance local public awareness .—The Secretary shall take such steps as the Secretary considers appropriate to advance local public awareness of the proposed action.

(4) Administration of acquisitions .—Land, water, and interests in land or water acquired in accordance with this subsection shall be administered as part of the System unit to which they are added, subject to the laws and regulations applicable to the System unit.

(5) When authority applies .—For the purposes of paragraph (1)(A), in all cases except the case of technical boundary changes (resulting from such causes as survey error or changed road alignments), the authority of the Secretary under paragraph (1)(A) shall apply only if each of the following conditions is met:

(A) The sum of the total acreage of the land, water, and interests in land or water to be added to the System unit and the total acreage of the land, water, and interests in land or water to be deleted from the System unit is not more than 5 percent of the total Federal acreage authorized to be included in the System unit and is less than 200 acres.

(B) The acquisition, if any, is not a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, as determined by the Secretary.

(C) The sum of the total appraised value of the land, water, and interests in land or water to be added to the System unit and the total appraised value of the land, water, and interests in land or water to be deleted from the System unit does not exceed $750,000.

(D) The proposed boundary change is not an element of a more comprehensive boundary change proposal.

(E) The proposed boundary has been subject to a public review and comment period.

(F) The Director obtains written consent for the boundary change from all property owners whose land, water, or interests in land or water, or a portion of whose land, water, or interests in land or water, will be added to or deleted from the System unit by the boundary change.

(G) The land abuts other Federal land administered by the Director.

(6) Act of congress required .—Minor boundary changes involving only deletions of acreage owned by the Federal Government and administered by the Service may be made only by Act of Congress.

§ 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 (g).—To carry out subsections (b), (c), and (g), there is authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for each fiscal year.

§ 100701 Protection, interpretation, and research in System

Recognizing the ever increasing societal pressures being placed upon America's unique natural and cultural resources contained in the System, the Secretary shall continually improve the ability of the Service to provide state-of-the-art management, protection, and interpretation of, and research on, the resources of the System.

§ 100702 Research mandate

The Secretary shall ensure that management of System units is enhanced by the availability and utilization of a broad program of the highest quality science and information.

§ 100703 Cooperative study units

The Secretary shall enter into cooperative agreements with colleges and universities, including land grant schools, in partnership with other Federal and State agencies, to establish cooperative study units to conduct multi-disciplinary research and develop integrated information products on the resources of the System, or the larger region of which System units are a part.

§ 100704 Inventory and monitoring program

The Secretary shall undertake a program of inventory and monitoring of System resources to establish baseline information and to provide information on the long-term trends in the condition of System resources. The monitoring program shall be developed in cooperation with other Federal monitoring and information collection efforts to ensure a cost-effective approach.

§ 100705 Availability of System units for scientific study

(a) In General .—The Secretary may solicit, receive, and consider requests from Federal or non-Federal public or private agencies, organizations, individuals, or other entities for the use of any System unit for purposes of scientific study.

(b) Criteria .—A request for use of a System unit under subsection (a) may be approved only if the Secretary determines that the proposed study—

(1) is consistent with applicable laws and Service management policies; and

(2) will be conducted in a manner that poses no threat to the System unit resources or public enjoyment derived from System unit resources.

(c) Fee Waiver .—The Secretary may waive any System unit admission or recreational use fee in order to facilitate the conduct of scientific study under this section.

(d) Benefit-Sharing Arrangements .—The Secretary may negotiate for and enter into equitable, efficient benefit-sharing arrangements with the research community and private industry.

§ 100706 Integration of study results into management decisions

The Secretary shall take such measures as are necessary to ensure the full and proper utilization of the results of scientific study for System unit management decisions. In each case in which an action undertaken by the Service may cause a significant adverse effect on a System unit resource, the administrative record shall reflect the manner in which System unit resource studies have been considered. The trend in the condition of resources of the System shall be a significant factor in the annual performance evaluation of each superintendent of a System unit.

§ 100707 Confidentiality of information

Information concerning the nature and specific location of a System resource that is endangered, threatened, rare, or commercially valuable, of mineral or paleontological objects within System units, or of objects of cultural patrimony within System units, may be withheld from the public in response to a request under section 552 of title 5 unless the Secretary determines that—

(1) disclosure of the information would further the purposes of the System unit in which the resource or object is located and would not create an unreasonable risk of harm, theft, or destruction of the resource or object, including individual organic or inorganic specimens; and

(2) disclosure is consistent with other laws protecting the resource or object.

§ 100721 Definitions

In this subchapter:

(1) Damages .—The term "damages" includes—

(A) compensation for—

(i)(I) the cost of replacing, restoring, or acquiring the equivalent of a System unit resource; and

(II) the value of any significant loss of use of a System unit resource pending its restoration or replacement or the acquisition of an equivalent resource; or

(ii) the value of the System unit resource if the System unit resource cannot be replaced or restored; and

(B) the cost of a damage assessment under section 100723(b) of this title.

(2) Response costs .—The term "response costs" means the costs of actions taken by the Secretary to—

(A) prevent or minimize destruction or loss of or injury to a System unit resource;

(B) abate or minimize the imminent risk of the destruction, loss, or injury; or

(C) monitor ongoing effects of incidents causing the destruction, loss, or injury.

(3) System unit resource.—

(A) In general .—The term "System unit resource" means any living or non-living resource that is located within the boundaries of a System unit.

(B) Exclusion .—The term "System unit resource" does not include a resource owned by a non-Federal entity.

§ 100722 Liability

(a) In General .—Subject to subsection (c), any person that destroys, causes the loss of, or injures any System unit resource is liable to the United States for response costs and damages resulting from the destruction, loss, or injury.

(b) Liability In Rem .—Any instrumentality, including a vessel, vehicle, aircraft, or other equipment, that destroys, causes the loss of, or injures any System unit resource shall be liable in rem to the United States for response costs and damages resulting from the destruction, loss, or injury to the same extent as a person is liable under subsection (a).

(c) Defenses .—A person is not liable under this section if the person establishes that—

(1) the destruction, loss of, or injury to the System unit resource was caused solely by an act of God or an act of war;

(2) the person acted with due care, and the destruction, loss of, or injury to the System unit resource was caused solely by an act or omission of a 3d party, other than an employee or agent of the person; or

(3) the destruction, loss, or injury to the System unit resource was caused by an activity authorized by Federal or State law.

(d) Scope .—Liability under this section is in addition to any other liability that may arise under Federal or State law.

§ 100723 Actions

(a) Civil Action for Response Costs and Damages .—The Attorney General, on request of the Secretary after a finding by the Secretary of destruction, loss, or injury to a System unit resource or a finding that absent the undertaking of a response action, destruction, loss, or injury to a System unit resource would have occurred, may bring a civil action in United States district court against any person or instrumentality that may be liable under section 100722 of this title for response costs and damages. The Secretary shall submit a request for the civil action to the Attorney General whenever a person may be liable or an instrumentality may be liable in rem for those costs and damages under section 100722 of this title.

(b) Response Actions and Assessment of Destruction, Loss, or Injury.—

(1) Actions to prevent or minimize destruction, loss, or injury .—The Secretary shall undertake all necessary actions to—

(A) prevent or minimize the destruction, loss of, or injury to System unit resources; or

(B) minimize the imminent risk of destruction, loss, or injury to System unit resources.

(2) Assessment and monitoring .—The Secretary shall assess and monitor destruction, loss, or injury to System unit resources.

§ 100724 Use of recovered amounts

(a) Limitation on Use .—Response costs and damages recovered by the Secretary under this subchapter or amounts recovered by the Federal Government under any Federal, State, or local law or regulation or otherwise as a result of destruction, loss of, or injury to any System unit resource shall be available to the Secretary and without further Congressional action may be used only as follows:

(1) Reimbursement .—To reimburse response costs and damage assessments by the Secretary or other Federal agencies as the Secretary considers appropriate.

(2) Restoration and replacement .—To restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of System unit resources that were the subject of the action and to monitor and study those System unit resources. The funds may not be used to acquire any land or water, interest in land or water, or right to land or water unless the acquisition is specifically approved in advance in appropriations Acts. The acquisition shall be subject to any limitations contained in the legislation establishing the System unit.

(b) Excess Amounts .—Any amounts remaining after expenditures pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) shall be deposited in the Treasury.

§ 100725 Donations

The Secretary may accept donations of money or services for expenditure or employment to meet expected, immediate, or ongoing response costs. The donations may be expended or employed at any time after their acceptance, without further Congressional action.

§ 100731 Findings and declaration

Congress finds and declares that—

(1) the level of technology of mineral exploration and development has changed radically, and continued application of the mining laws of the United States to System units to which the mining laws apply conflicts with the purposes for which the System units were established; and

(2) all mining operations in System units should be conducted so as to prevent or minimize damage to the environment and other resource values.

§ 100732 Preservation and management of System units by Secretary; promulgation of regulations

To preserve for the benefit of present and future generations the pristine beauty of System units, and to further the purposes of section 100101(a), chapter 1003, and sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of this title and the individual organic Acts for the System units, all activities resulting from the exercise of mineral rights on patented or unpatented mining claims within any System unit shall be subject to such regulations prescribed by the Secretary as the Secretary considers necessary or desirable for the preservation and management of the System units.

§ 100733 Recordation of mining claims; publication of notice

All mining claims under the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. chapter 2, sections 161 and 162, and chapters 12A and 16) that lie within the boundaries of System units in existence on September 28, 1976, that were not recorded with the Secretary within one year after September 28, 1976, shall be conclusively presumed to be aban doned and shall be void. The recordation does not render valid any claim that was not valid on September 28, 1976, or that becomes invalid after that date.

§ 100734 Report on finding or notification of potential damage to natural and historical landmarks

When the Secretary finds on the Secretary's own motion or on being notified in writing by an appropriate scientific, historical, or archeological authority that a district, site, building, structure, or object that has been found to be nationally significant in illustrating natural history or the history of the United States and that has been designated as a natural or historic landmark may be irreparably lost or destroyed in whole or in part by any surface mining activity, including exploration for or removal or production of minerals or materials, the Secretary shall notify the person conducting the activity and submit a report on the findings or notification, including the basis for the Secretary's finding that the activity may cause irreparable loss or destruction of a national landmark, to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, with a request for advice of the Council as to alternative measures that may be taken by the United States to mitigate or abate the activity.

§ 100735 Civil actions for just compensation by mining claim holders

The holder of any patented or unpatented mining claim subject to this subchapter that believes the holder has suffered a loss by operation of this subchapter, or by orders or regulations issued pursuant to this subchapter, may bring a civil action in United States district court to recover just compensation, which shall be awarded if the court finds that the loss constitutes a taking of property compensable under the Constitution.

§ 100736 Acquisition of land by Secretary

Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary to acquire land and interests in land within the boundary of any System unit. The Secretary shall give prompt and careful consideration to any offer made by the owner of any valid right or other property in Glacier Bay National Monument, Death Valley National Monument, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, or Mount McKinley National Park to sell the right or other property if the owner notifies the Secretary that the continued ownership of the right or property is causing, or would result in, undue hardship.

§ 100737 Financial disclosure by officer or employee of Secretary

(a) Written Statements .—Each officer or employee of the Secretary who—

(1) performs any function or duty under this subchapter, or any Act amended by the Mining in the Parks Act (Public Law 94–429, 90 Stat. 1342) concerning the regulation of mining in the System; and

(2) has any known financial interest—

(A) in any person subject to this subchapter or any Act amended by the Mining in the Parks Act (Public Law 94–429, 90 Stat. 1342); or

(B) in any person who holds a mining claim within the boundary of any System unit;

shall annually file with the Secretary a written statement concerning all such interests held by the officer or employee during the preceding calendar year. The statement shall be available to the public.

(b) Monitoring and Enforcement Procedures .—The Secretary shall—

(1) define the term "known financial interest" for purposes of subsection (a);

(2) establish the methods by which the requirement to file written statements specified in subsection (a) will be monitored and enforced, including appropriate provisions for the filing by the officers and employees of the statements and the review by the Secretary of the statements; and

(3) submit to Congress on June 1 of each year a report with respect to the disclosures and the actions taken in regard to the disclosures during the preceding calendar year.

(c) Exemptions .—In the rules prescribed under subsection (b), the Secretary may identify specific positions within the Department of the Interior that are of a nonregulatory or nonpolicymaking nature and provide that officers or employees occupying those positions shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.

(d) Criminal Penalties .—Criminal penalties for a violation of this section are provided by section 1865 of title 18.

§ 100751 Regulations

(a) In General .—The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as the Secretary considers necessary or proper for the use and management of System units.

(b) Boating and Other Activities on or Relating to Water .—The Secretary, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers advisable, may prescribe regulations under subsection (a) concerning boating and other activities on or relating to water located within System units, including water subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Any regulation under this subsection shall be complementary to, and not in derogation of, the authority of the Coast Guard to regulate the use of water subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

(c) Criminal Penalties .—Criminal penalties for a violation of a regulation prescribed under this section are provided by section 1865 of title 18.

§ 100752 Destruction of animals and plant life

The Secretary may provide for the destruction of such animals and plant life as may be detrimental to the use of any System unit.

§ 100753 Disposal of timber

The Secretary, on terms and conditions to be fixed by the Secretary, may sell or dispose of timber in cases where, in the judgment of the Secretary, the cutting of timber is required to control attacks of insects or diseases or otherwise conserve the scenery or the natural or historic objects in any System unit.

§ 100754 Relinquishment of legislative jurisdiction

(a) In General .—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may relinquish to a State or a territory (including a possession) of the United States part of the legislative jurisdiction of the United States over System land or interests in land in that State or territory. Relinquishment may be accomplished—

(1) by filing with the chief executive official of the State or territory a notice of relinquishment to take effect on acceptance; or

(2) as the laws of the State or territory may otherwise provide.

(b) Submission of Agreement to Congress .—Prior to consummating a relinquishment under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit the proposed agreement to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives. The Secretary shall not finalize the agreement until 60 calendar days after the submission has elapsed.

(c) Concurrent Legislative Jurisdiction .—The Secretary shall diligently pursue the consummation of arrangements with each State or territory within which a System unit is located so that insofar as practicable the United States shall exercise concurrent legislative jurisdiction within System units.

§ 100755 Applicability of other laws

(a) In General .—This section and sections 100501, 100901(d) to (h), 101302(b)(2), 101901(c), and 102711 of this title, and the various authorities relating to the administration and protection of System units, including the provisions of law listed in subsection (b), shall, to the extent that those provisions are not in conflict with any such specific provision, be applicable to System units, and any reference in any of these provisions to a System unit does not limit those provisions to that System unit.

(b) Applicable Provisions .—The provisions of law referred to in subsection (a) are—

(1) section 100101(a), chapter 1003, sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, 101101, 101102, 101511, 102101, 102712, 102901, 104905, and 104906, and chapter 2003 of this title;

(2) the Act of March 4, 1911 (43 U.S.C. 961); and

(3) chapter 3201 of this title.

§ 100801 Definitions

As used in this chapter:

(1) Interpretation .—The term "interpretation"—

(A) means providing opportunities for people to form intellectual and emotional connections to gain awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the resources of the System; and

(B) may refer to the professional career field of Service employees, volunteers, and partners who interpret the resources of the System.

(2) Education .—The term "education" means enhancing public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the resources of the System through learner-centered, place-based materials, programs, and activities that achieve specific learning objectives as identified in a curriculum.

(3) Related areas .—The term "related areas" means—

(A) national wild and scenic rivers and national trails;

(B) national heritage areas; and

(C) affiliated areas administered in connection with the System.

§ 100802 Interpretation and education authority

The Secretary shall ensure that management of System units and related areas is enhanced by the availability and use of a broad program of the highest quality interpretation and education.

§ 100803 Interpretation and education evaluation and quality improvement

The Secretary may undertake a program of regular evaluation of interpretation and education programs to ensure that they—

(1) adjust to how people learn and engage with the natural world and shared heritage as embodied in the System;

(2) reflect different cultural backgrounds, ages, education, gender, abilities, ethnicity, and needs;

(3) demonstrate innovative approaches to management and appropriately incorporate emerging learning and communications technology; and

(4) reflect current scientific and academic research, content, methods, and audience analysis.

§ 100804 Improved use of partners and volunteers in interpretation and education

The Secretary may—

(1) coordinate with park partners and volunteers in the delivery of quality programs and services to supplement those provided by the Service as part of a park's Long Range Interpretive Plan;

(2) support interpretive partners by providing opportunities to participate in interpretive training; and

(3) collaborate with other Federal and non-Federal public or private agencies, organizations, or institutions for the purposes of developing, promoting, and making available educational opportunities related to resources of the System and programs.

§ 100901 Authority of Secretary to carry out certain activities

(a) In General .—To facilitate the administration of the System, the Secretary, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may consider advisable, may carry out the activities described in this section.

(b) Services, Resources, or Water Contracts .—The Secretary may enter into contracts that provide for the sale or lease to persons, States, or political subdivisions of States, of services, resources, or water available within a System unit, as long as the activity does not jeopardize or unduly interfere with the primary natural or historic resource of the System unit, if the person, State, or political subdivision—

(1) provides public accommodations or services within the immediate vicinity of the System unit to individuals visiting the System unit; and

(2) demonstrates to the Secretary that there are no reasonable alternatives by which to acquire or perform the necessary services, resources, or water.

(c) Vehicular Air Conditioning .—The Secretary may acquire, and have installed, air conditioning units for any Government-owned passenger motor vehicles used by the Service, where assigned duties necessitate long periods in automobiles or in regions of the United States where high temperatures and humidity are common and prolonged.

(d) Utility Facilities .—The Secretary may erect and maintain fire protection facilities, water lines, telephone lines, electric lines, and other utility facilities adjacent to any System unit, where necessary, to provide service in the System unit.

(e) Supplies and Rental of Equipment .—The Secretary may furnish, on a reimbursement of appropriation basis, supplies, and rent equipment, to persons and agencies that, in cooperation with and subject to the approval of the Secretary, render services or perform functions that facilitate or supplement the activities of the Department of the Interior in the administration of the System. The reimbursements may be credited to the appropriation current at the time reimbursements are received.

(f) Contracts for Utility Facilities .—The Secretary may contract, under terms and conditions that the Secretary considers to be in the interest of the Federal Government, for the sale, operation, maintenance, repair, or relocation of Government-owned electric and telephone lines and other utility facilities used for the administration and protection of the System, regardless of whether the lines and facilities are located within or outside the System.

(g) Rights of Way Necessary To Construct, Improve, and Maintain Roads .—The Secretary may acquire—

(1) rights of way necessary to construct, improve, and maintain roads within the authorized boundaries of any System unit; and

(2) land and interests in land adjacent to the rights of way, when—

(A) considered necessary by the Secretary—

(i) to provide adequate protection of natural features; or

(ii) to avoid traffic and other hazards resulting from private road access connections; or

(B) the acquisition of adjacent residual tracts, which otherwise would remain after acquiring the rights of way, would be in the public interest.

(h) Operation and Maintenance of Motor and Other Equipment.—

(1) In general .—The Secretary may operate, repair, maintain, and replace motor and other equipment on a reimbursable basis when the equipment is used on Federal projects of the System, chargeable to other appropriations, or on work of other Federal agencies, when requested by the agencies.

(2) Reimbursement .—Reimbursement shall be—

(A) made from appropriations applicable to the work on which the equipment is used at rental rates established by the Secretary, based on actual or estimated cost of operation, repair, maintenance, depreciation, and equipment management control; and

(B) credited to appropriations currently available at the time adjustment is effected.

(3) Rental of equipment for fire control purposes .—The Secretary may rent equipment for fire control purposes to State, county, private, or other non-Federal agencies that cooperate with the Secretary in the administration of the System and other areas in fire control. The rental shall be under the terms of written cooperative agreements. The amount collected for the rentals shall be credited to appropriations currently available at the time payment is received.

§ 100902 Rights of way for public utilities and power and communication facilities

(a) Public Utilities.—

(1) In general .—Under regulations the Secretary prescribes, the Secretary may grant a right of way through a System unit to a citizen, association, or corporation of the United States that intends to use the right of way for—

(A) electrical plants, poles, and lines for the generation and distribution of electrical power;

(B) telephone and telegraph purposes; and

(C) canals, ditches, pipes and pipe lines, flumes, tunnels, or other water conduits and water plants, dams, and reservoirs used to promote irrigation or mining or quarrying, or the manufacturing or cutting of timber or lumber, or the supplying of water for domestic, public, or any other beneficial uses.

(2) Extent of right of way .—A right of way under this subsection shall be for—

(A) the ground occupied by the canals, ditches, flumes, tunnels, reservoirs, or other water conduits or water plants, or electrical or other works permitted under paragraph (1); and

(B) not more than 50 feet—

(i) on each side of the marginal limits of the ground; or

(ii) on each side of the center line of the pipes and pipe lines, electrical, telegraph, and telephone lines and poles.

(3) Approval .—A right of way under this subsection shall be allowed within or through a System unit only on the approval of the Secretary and on a finding that the right of way is not incompatible with the public interest.

(4) Revocation .—The Secretary may revoke a right of way under this subsection.

(5) Right, easement, or interest not conferred .—A right of way under this subsection does not confer any right, easement, or interest in, to, or over a System unit.

(b) Power and Communication Facilities.—

(1) In general .—Under regulations the Secretary prescribes, the Secretary may grant a right of way over, across, and on through a System unit to a citizen, association, or corporation of the United States that intends to use the right of way for—

(A) electrical poles and lines for the transmission and distribution of electrical power;

(B) poles and lines for communication purposes; and

(C) radio, television, and other forms of communication transmitting, relay, and receiving structures and facilities.

(2) Extent of right of way .—A right of way under this subsection—

(A) shall be for not more than 50 years from the date the right of way is granted; and

(B) for—

(i) lines and poles shall be for 200 feet on each side of the center line of the lines and poles; and

(ii) radio, television, and other forms of communication transmitting, relay, and receiving structures and facilities shall be for not more than 400 feet by 400 feet.

(3) Approval .—A right of way under this subsection shall be allowed within or through a System unit only on the approval of the Secretary and on a finding that the right of way is not incompatible with the public interest.

(4) Forfeiture and annulment .—The Secretary may forfeit and annul any part of a right of way under this subsection for—

(A) nonuse for a period of 2 years; or

(B) abandonment.

§ 100903 Solid waste disposal operations

(a) In General   1  —To protect the air, land, water, and natural and cultural values of the System and the property of the United States in the System, no solid waste disposal site (including any site for the disposal of domestic or industrial solid waste) may be operated within the boundary of any System unit, other than—

(1) a site that was operating as of September 1, 1984; or

(2) a site used only for disposal of waste generated within that System unit so long as the site will not degrade any of the natural or cultural resources of the System unit.

(b) Regulations .—The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section, including reasonable regulations to mitigate the adverse effects of solid waste disposal sites in operation as of September 1, 1984, on property of the United States.

§ 100904 Admission and special recreation use fees

(a) System Units at Which Entrance Fees or Admissions Fees Cannot Be Collected.—

(1) Withholding of amounts .—Notwithstanding section 107 of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105–83, 111 Stat. 1561), the Secretary shall withhold from the special account under section 807(a) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6806(a)) 100 percent of the fees and charges collected in connection with any System unit at which entrance fees or admission fees cannot be collected by reason of deed restrictions.

(2) Use of amounts .—Amounts withheld under paragraph (1) shall be retained by the Secretary and shall be available, without further appropriation, for expenditure by the Secretary for the System unit with respect to which the amounts were collected for the purposes of enhancing the quality of the visitor experience, protection of resources, repair and maintenance, interpretation, signage, habitat or facility enhancement, resource preservation, annual operation (including fee collection), maintenance, and law enforcement.

(b) Allocation of Funds to System Units.—

(1) Allocation of funds on basis of need .—Ten percent of the funds made available to the Director under subsection (a) in each fiscal year shall be allocated among System units on the basis of need in a manner to be determined by the Director.

(2) Allocation of funds based on expenses and based on fees collected.—

(A) In general .—Forty percent of the funds made available to the Director under subsection (a) in each fiscal year shall be allocated among System units in accordance with subparagraph (B) of this subsection and 50 percent shall be allocated in accordance with subparagraph (C).

(B) Allocation based on expenses .—The amount allocated to each System unit under this paragraph for each fiscal year based on expenses shall be a fraction of the total allocation to all System units under this paragraph. The fraction for each System unit shall be determined by dividing the operating expenses at that System unit during the prior fiscal year by the total operating expenses at all System units during the prior fiscal year.

(C) Allocation based on fees collected .—The amount allocated to each System unit under this paragraph for each fiscal year based on fees collected shall be a fraction of the total allocation to all System units under this paragraph. The fraction for each System unit shall be determined by dividing the user fees and admission fees collected under this section at that System unit during the prior fiscal year by the total of user fees and admission fees collected under this section at all System units during the prior fiscal year.

(3) Availability of amounts .—Amounts allocated under this subsection to any System unit for any fiscal year and not expended in that fiscal year shall remain available for expenditure at that System unit until expended.

(c) Selling of Permits.—

(1) Authority to sell permits .—When authorized by the Secretary, volunteers at System units may sell permits and collect fees authorized or established pursuant to this section. The Secretary shall ensure that the volunteers have adequate training regarding—

(A) the sale of permits and the collection of fees;

(B) the purposes and resources of the System units in which they are assigned; and

(C) the provision of assistance and information to visitors to the System unit.

(2) Surety bond required .—The Secretary shall require a surety bond for any such volunteer performing services under this subsection. Funds available to the Service may be used to cover the cost of the surety bond. The Secretary may enter into arrangements with qualified public or private entities pursuant to which the entities may sell (without cost to the United States) annual admission permits (including Golden Eagle Passports) at any appropriate location. The arrangements shall require each such entity to reimburse the United States for the full amount to be received from the sale of the permits at or before the Secretary delivers the permits to the entity for sale.

(d) Charge for Transportation Provided by Service for Viewing System Units.—

(1) Charge when transportation provided .—Where the Service provides transportation to view all or a portion of any System unit, the Director may impose a charge for the service in lieu of an admission fee under this section.

(2) Retention of charge and use of retained amount .—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, half of the charges imposed under paragraph (1) shall be retained by the System unit at which the service was provided. The remainder shall be deposited in the same manner as receipts from fees collected pursuant to this section. Fifty percent of the amount retained shall be expended only for maintenance of transportation systems at the System unit where the charge was imposed. The remaining 50 percent of the retained amount shall be expended only for activities related to resource protection at those System units.

(e) Admission Fees .—Where the primary public access to a System unit is provided by a concessioner, the Secretary may charge an admission fee at the System unit only to the extent that the total of the fee charged by the concessioner for access to the System unit and the admission fee does not exceed the maximum amount of the admission fee that could otherwise be imposed.

(f) Commercial Tour Use Fees.—

(1) Establishment .—In the case of each System unit for which an admission fee is charged under this section, the Secretary shall establish a commercial tour use fee to be imposed on each vehicle entering the System unit for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the System unit.

(2) Amount .—The Secretary shall establish the amount of fee per entry as follows:

(A) Twenty-five dollars per vehicle with a passenger capacity of 25 individuals or less.

(B) Fifty dollars per vehicle with a passenger capacity of more than 25 individuals.

(3) Adjustments .—The Secretary may periodically make reasonable adjustments to the commercial tour use fee imposed under this subsection.

(4) Nonapplicability .—The commercial tour use fee imposed under this subsection shall not apply to the following:

(A) Any vehicle transporting organized school groups or outings conducted for educational purposes by schools or other bona fide educational institutions.

(B) Any vehicle entering a System unit pursuant to a contract issued under subchapter II of chapter 1019 of this title.

(5) Applicability .—This subsection shall apply to aircraft entering the airspace of—

(A) Haleakalā Crater, Crater Cabins, the Scientific Research Reserve, Halemauu Trail, Kaupo Gap Trail, or any designated tourist viewpoint in Haleakalā National Park or of Grand Canyon National Park; or

(B) any other System unit for the specific purpose of providing commercial tour services if the Secretary determines that the level of the services is equal to or greater than the level at the System units specified in subparagraph (A).

§ 100905 Commercial filming

(a) Commercial Filming Fee.—

(1) In general .—The Secretary shall require a permit and shall establish a reasonable fee for commercial filming activities or similar projects in a System unit. The fee shall provide a fair return to the United States and shall be based on the following criteria:

(A) The number of days the filming activity or similar project takes place in the System unit.

(B) The size of the film crew present in the System unit.

(C) The amount and type of equipment present in the System unit.

(2) Other factors .—The Secretary may include other factors in determining an appropriate fee as the Secretary considers necessary.

(b) Recovery of Costs .—The Secretary shall collect any costs incurred as a result of filming activities or similar projects, including administrative and personnel costs. All costs recovered shall be in addition to the fee assessed in subsection (a).

(c) Still Photography.—

(1) In general .—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall not require a permit or assess a fee for still photography in a System unit if the photography takes place where members of the public are generally allowed. The Secretary may require a permit, assess a fee, or both, if the photography takes place at other locations where members of the public are generally not allowed, or where additional administrative costs are likely.

(2) Exception .—The Secretary shall require and shall establish a reasonable fee for still photography that uses models or props that are not a part of the site's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities.

(d) Protection of Resources .—The Secretary shall not permit any filming, still photography or other related activity if the Secretary determines that—

(1) there is a likelihood of resource damage;

(2) there would be an unreasonable disruption of the public's use and enjoyment of the site; or

(3) the activity poses health or safety risks to the public.

(e) Use of Proceeds.—

(1) Fees .—All fees collected under this section shall be available for expenditure by the Secretary, without further appropriation and shall remain available until expended.

(2) Costs .—All costs recovered under this section shall be available for expenditure by the Secretary, without further appropriation, at the site where the costs are collected and shall remain available until expended.

(f) Processing of Permit Applications .—The Secretary shall establish a process to ensure that the Secretary responds in a timely manner to permit applicants for commercial filming, still photography, or other activity.

§ 100906 Advisory committees

(a) Establishment .—To facilitate the administration of the System, the Secretary, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may consider advisable, may appoint and establish advisory committees in regard to the functions of the Service as the Secretary considers advisable.

(b) Charter Exception On Renewal .—Section 1013(b) of title 5 is waived with respect to any advisory commission or advisory committee established by law in connection with any System unit during the period for which the commission or committee is authorized by law.

(c) Service of Members .—Any member of any advisory commission or advisory committee established in connection with any System unit may serve after the expiration of the member's term until a successor is appointed.

(d) Compensation and Travel Expenses .—Members of an advisory committee established under subsection (a) shall receive no compensation for their services as such but shall be allowed necessary travel expenses as authorized by section 5703 of title 5.

§ 101101 Authority to accept land, rights-of-way, buildings, other property, and money

The Secretary in the administration of the Service may accept—

(1) patented land, rights-of-way over patented land or other land, buildings, or other property within a System unit; and

(2) money that may be donated for the purposes of the System.

§ 101102 Authority to accept and use funds to consolidate Federal land ownership

(a) In General .—The Secretary may—

(1) accept and use funds that may be donated in order to consolidate Federal land ownership within the existing boundaries of any System unit; and

(2) encourage the donation of funds for that purpose, subject to the condition that donated funds are to be expended for purposes of this section only if Federal funds in an amount equal to the amount of the donated funds are appropriated for the purposes of this section.

(b) Authorization of Appropriations .—There are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year not more than $500,000 to match funds that are donated for those purposes.

§ 101111 Purpose and establishment of Foundation

To encourage private gifts of real and personal property, or any income from, or other interest in, the property, for the benefit of, or in connection with, the Service, its activities, or its services, and thereby to further the conservation of natural, scenic, historic, scientific, educational, inspirational, or recreational resources for future generations of Americans, there is established a charitable and nonprofit corporation to be known as the National Park Foundation to accept and administer those gifts.

§ 101112 Board

(a) Membership .—The National Park Foundation shall consist of a Board having as members no fewer than six private citizens of the United States appointed by the Secretary. The Secretary and the Director shall be non-voting members of the Board, ex officio.

(b) Term of Office and Vacancies .—The term of the private citizen members of the Board is 6 years. If a successor is chosen to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of a term, the successor shall be chosen only for the remainder of that term.

(c) Chairman .—The Chairman shall be elected by the Board from its members for a 2-year term.

(d) Board Membership Not an Office .—Membership on the Board shall not be an office within the meaning of the statutes of the United States.

(e) Quorum .—A majority of the members of the Board serving at any time shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

(f) Seal .—The National Park Foundation shall have an official seal, which shall be judicially noticed.

(g) Meetings .—The Board shall meet at the call of the Chairman and there shall be at least one meeting each year.

(h) Compensation and Reimbursement .—No compensation shall be paid to the members of the Board for their services as members, but they shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties as members out of National Park Foundation funds available to the Board for those purposes.