109th CONGRESS
2d Session

H. R. 5723

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the site of Camp Nelson War Heritage Park in Jessamine County, Kentucky, as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 29, 2006

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

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the site of Camp Nelson War Heritage Park in Jessamine County, Kentucky, as a unit of the National Park System, 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 `Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park Study Act of 2006'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:

      (1) Camp Nelson was founded in 1863 as a Union Army supply depot, training center, and hospital for the Federal armies operating in Kentucky and eastern Tennessee.

      (2) The camp covered approximately 4,000 acres with over 300 buildings and 8 fortifications. It housed between 2,000 and 8,000 troops, over 1,000 employees, and nearly 4,000 African American refugees.

      (3) Three units of the Kentucky Army and parts of 8 units of the Tennessee Army were organized in Camp Nelson from 1863 to 1864.

      (4) Camp Nelson is currently recognized on the National Register of Historic Places and is a part of the Civil War Discovery Trail.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:

      (1) The term `study area' means the area comprised of the approximately 525 acres owned and administered by Jessamine County, Kentucky, and known as the Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park.

      (2) The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior.

SEC. 4. STUDY; REPORT.

    (a) In General- The Secretary shall conduct a study of the site of Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park, Jessamine County, Kentucky. The study shall evaluate the national significance, suitability, and feasibility of establishing the site of Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park as a unit of the National Park System.

    (b) Criteria- In conducting the study authorized by this Act, the Secretary shall use the criteria for the study of areas for potential inclusion in the National Park System in section 8 of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. 1a-5; popularly known as the `National Park System General Authorities Act').

    (c) Contents- The study under subsection (a) shall--

      (1) determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Park System;

      (2) include cost estimates for any necessary acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of the study area; and

      (3) identify alternatives for the management, administration, and protection of the study area.

    (d) Report- Not later than 3 years after the date funds are made available for the study, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the study.

END