Part A—Cane River Creole National Historical Park

§410ccc. Findings and purposes

(a) Findings

The Congress finds that—

(1) the Natchitoches area along Cane River, established in 1714, is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory;

(2) the Cane River area is the locale of the development of Creole culture, from French-Spanish interactions of the early 18th century of today's living communities;

(3) the Cane River, historically a segment of the Red River, provided the focal point for early settlement, serving as a transportation route upon which commerce and communication reached all parts of the colony;

(4) although a number of Creole structures, sites, and landscapes exist in Louisiana and elsewhere, unlike the Cane River area, most are isolated examples, and lack original outbuilding complexes or integrity;

(5) the Cane River area includes a great variety of historical features with original elements in both rural and urban settings and a cultural landscape that represents various aspects of Creole culture, providing the base for a holistic approach to understanding the broad continuum of history within the region;

(6) the Cane River region includes the Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District, composed of approximately 300 publicly and privately owned properties, four other national historic landmarks, and other structures and sites that may meet criteria for landmark significance following further study;

(7) historic preservation within the Cane River area has greatly benefitted from individuals and organizations that have strived to protect their heritage and educate others about their rich history; and

(8) because of the complexity and magnitude of preservation needs in the Cane River area, and the vital need for a culturally sensitive approach, a partnership approach is desirable for addressing the many preservation and educational needs.

(b) Purposes

The purposes of this subchapter are to—

(1) recognize the importance of the Cane River Creole culture as a nationally significant element of the cultural heritage of the United States;

(2) establish a Cane River Creole National Historical Park to serve as the focus of interpretive and educational programs on the history of the Cane River area and to assist in the preservation of certain historic sites along the river; and

(3) establish a Cane River National Heritage Area and Commission to be undertaken in partnership with the State of Louisiana, the City of Natchitoches, local communities and settlements of the Cane River area, preservation organizations, and private landowners, with full recognition that programs must fully involve the local communities and landowners.

(Pub. L. 103–449, title III, §302, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4757.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

Pub. L. 103–449, title III, §301, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4757, provided that: "Titles III and IV of this Act [enacting this subchapter] may be cited as the 'Cane River Creole National Historical Park and National Heritage Area Act'."

§410ccc–1. Establishment

(a) In general

In order to assist in the preservation and interpretation of, and education concerning, the Creole culture and diverse history of the Natchitoches region, and to provide technical assistance to a broad range of public and private landowners and preservation organizations, there is hereby established the Cane River Creole National Historical Park in the State of Louisiana (hereinafter in this subchapter referred to as the "historical park").

(b) Area included

The historical park shall consist of lands and interests therein as follows:

(1) Lands and structures associated with the Oakland Plantation as depicted on map CARI, 80,002, dated January 1994.

(2) Lands and structures owned or acquired by Museum Contents, Inc. as depicted on map CARI, 80,001A, dated May 1994.

(3) Sites that may be the subject of cooperative agreements with the National Park Service for the purposes of historic preservation and interpretation including, but not limited to, the Melrose Plantation, the Badin-Rouge ¹ site, the Cherokee Plantation, the Beau Fort Plantation, and sites within the Natchitoches National Historical Landmark District: Provided, That such sites may not be added to the historical park unless the Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the "Secretary") determines, based on further research and planning, that such sites meet the applicable criteria for national historical significance, suitability, and feasibility, and notification of the proposed addition has been transmitted to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate and the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives.

(4) Not to exceed 10 acres of land that the Secretary may designate for an interpretive visitor center complex to serve the needs of the historical park and heritage area established in part B of this subchapter.

(5) The approximately 46.1 acres of land identified as "Proposed Addition", as generally depicted on the map entitled "Cane River Creole National Historical Park Proposed Addition—Magnolia Plantation Unit", numbered 494/176,958, and dated October 2021.

(Pub. L. 103–449, title III, §303, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4758; Pub. L. 117–328, div. DD, title VI, §614, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5604.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 117–328 added par. (5).

¹ So in original. Probably should be "Badin-Roque".

§410ccc–2. Administration

(a) In general

The Secretary shall administer the historical park in accordance with this part and with provisions of law generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including the Act entitled "An Act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes", approved August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1, 2–4); ¹ and the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666, 16 U.S.C. 461–467).¹ The Secretary shall manage the historical park in such a manner as will preserve resources and cultural landscapes relating to the Creole culture of the Cane River and enhance public understanding of the important cultural heritage of the Cane River region.

(b) Donations

The Secretary may accept and retain donations of funds, property, or services from individuals, foundations, or other public or private entities for the purposes of providing programs, services, facilities, or technical assistance that further the purposes of this subchapter. Any funds donated to the Secretary pursuant to this subsection may be expended without further appropriation.

(c) Interpretive center

The Secretary is authorized to construct, operate, and maintain an interpretive center on lands identified by the Secretary pursuant to section 410ccc–1(b)(4) of this title. Such center shall provide for the general information and orientation needs of the historical park and the heritage area. The Secretary shall consult with the State of Louisiana, the City of Natchitoches, the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches, and the Cane River National Heritage Area Commission pursuant to section 410ccc–22 of this title in the planning and development of the interpretive center.

(d) Cooperative agreements and technical assistance

(1) The Secretary, after consultation with the Cane River Heritage Area Commission ² established pursuant to section 410ccc–22 of this title, is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with owners of properties within the heritage area and owners of properties within the historical park that provide important educational and interpretive opportunities relating to the heritage of the Cane River region. The Secretary may also enter into cooperative agreements for the purpose of facilitating the preservation of important historic sites and structures identified in the historical park's general management plan or other heritage elements related to the heritage of the Cane River region. Such cooperative agreements shall specify that the National Park Service shall have reasonable rights of access for operational and visitor use needs and that preservation treatments will meet the Secretary's standards for rehabilitation of historic buildings.

(2) The Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with the City of Natchitoches, the State of Louisiana, and other public or private organizations for the development of the interpretive center, educational programs, and other materials that will facilitate public use of the historical park and heritage area.

(e) Research

The Secretary, acting through the National Park Service, shall coordinate a comprehensive research program on the complex history of the Cane River region, including ethnography studies of the living communities along the Cane River, and how past and present generations have adapted to their environment, including genealogical studies of families within the Cane River area. Research shall include, but not be limited to, the extensive primary historic documents within the Natchitoches and Cane River areas, and curation methods for their care and exhibition. The research program shall be coordinated with Northwestern State University of Louisiana, and the National Center for Preservation of Technology and Training in Natchitoches.

(Pub. L. 103–449, title III, §304, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4758.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Act entitled "An Act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes", approved August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1, 2–4), referred to in subsec. (a), is act Aug. 25, 1916, ch. 408, 39 Stat. 535, known as the National Park Service Organic Act, which enacted sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 100101 of Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs. Sections 1 to 4 of the Act were repealed and restated as section 1865(a) of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and section 100101(a), chapter 1003, and sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of Title 54 by Pub. L. 113–287, §§3, 4(a)(1), 7, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3094, 3260, 3272. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. For disposition of former sections of this title, see Disposition Table preceding section 100101 of Title 54.

The Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666, 16 U.S.C. 461–467), referred to in subsec. (a), is act Aug. 21, 1935, ch. 593, 49 Stat. 666, known as the Historic Sites Act of 1935 and also as the Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act, which enacted sections 461 to 467 of this title. The Act was repealed and restated as section 1866(a) of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and sections 102303 and 102304 and chapter 3201 of Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs, by Pub. L. 113–287, §§3, 4(a)(1), 7, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3094, 3260, 3272. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. For disposition of former sections of this title, see Disposition Table preceding section 100101 of Title 54.

¹ See References in Text note below.

² So in original. Probably should be "Cane River National Heritage Area Commission".

§410ccc–3. Acquisition of property

(a) General authority

Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary is authorized to acquire lands and interest therein within the boundaries of the historical park by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange.

(b) State and local properties

Lands and interests therein that are owned by the State of Louisiana, or any political subdivision thereof, may be acquired only by donation or exchange.

(c) Museum Contents, Inc.

Lands and structures identified in section 410ccc–1(b)(2) of this title may be acquired only by donation.

(d) Cooperative agreement sites

Lands and interests therein that are the subject of cooperative agreements pursuant to section 410ccc–1(b)(3) of this title shall not be acquired except with the consent of the owner thereof.

(Pub. L. 103–449, title III, §305, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4759.)

§410ccc–4. General management plan

Within 3 years after the date funds are made available therefor and in consultation with the Cane River Heritage Area Commission,¹ the National Park Service shall prepare a general management plan for the historical park. The plan shall include, but need not be limited to—

(1) a visitor use plan indicating programs and facilities that will be provided for public use, including the location and cost of an interpretive center;

(2) programs and management actions that the National Park Service will undertake cooperatively with the heritage area commission,² including preservation treatments for important sites, structures, objects, and research materials. Planning shall address educational media, roadway signing, and brochures that could be coordinated with the Commission pursuant to section 410ccc–23 of this title; and

(3) preservation and use plans for any sites and structures that are identified for National Park Service involvement through cooperative agreements.

(Pub. L. 103–449, title III, §306, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4760.)

¹ So in original. Probably should be "Cane River National Heritage Area Commission,".

² So in original. Probably should be "Heritage Area Commission,".