To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease a portion of a visitor center to be constructed outside the boundary of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in Porter County, Indiana, and for other purposes.

October 17, 2005

Mr. VISCLOSKY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease a portion of a visitor center to be constructed outside the boundary of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in Porter County, Indiana, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center Lease Act'.

SEC. 2. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.

The Secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint partnership with the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission. The memorandum of understanding shall--

(1) identify the overall goals and purpose of the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center;

(2) establish how management and operational duties will be shared;

(3) determine how exhibits, signs, and other information are developed;

(4) indicate how various activities will be funded;

(5) identify who is responsible for providing site amenities;

(6) establish procedures for changing or dissolving the joint partnership; and

(7) address any other issues deemed necessary by the Secretary or the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission.

SEC. 3. LEASE AGREEMENT.

(a) Authorization- After entering into a memorandum of understanding in accordance with section 2, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to enter into an agreement with Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission to lease space in the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center, located on a site south of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore boundary on IN 49, the principal north/south artery into the national lakeshore, for use as a visitor center for Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

(b) Development of Exhibits- The Secretary may plan, design, construct, and install exhibits in the leased space related to the use and management of the resources at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, at a cost not to exceed $1,200,000.

(c) National Lakeshore Presence- The Secretary may utilize park staff from Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in the leased space to provide visitor information and education.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act.

END