REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND WAR OF 1812 HISTORIC PRESERVATION STUDY.

SEC. 603. REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND WAR OF 1812 HISTORIC PRESERVATION STUDY. (a) Short Title.—This section may be cited as the “Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Historic Preservation Study Act of 1996”. (b) Findings.—The Congress finds that— (1) Revolutionary War sites and War of 1812 sites provide a means for Americans to understand and interpret the periods in American history during which the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 were fought; (2) the historical integrity of many Revolutionary War sites and War of 1812 sites is at risk because many of the sites are located in regions that are undergoing rapid urban or suburban development; and (3) it is important, for the benefit of the United States, to obtain current information on the significance of, threats to the integrity of, and alternatives of the preservation and interpretation of Revolutionary War sites and War of 1812 sites. (c) Definitions.—In this section: (1) Director.—The term “Director” means the Director of the National Park Service. (2) Revolutionary war site.—The term “Revolutionary War site” means a site or structure situated in the United States that is thematically tied with the nationally significant events that occurred during the Revolutionary War. (3) Secretary.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior. (4) War of 1812 site.—The term “War of 1812 site” means a site or structure situated in the United States that is thematically tied with the nationally significant events that occurred during the War of 1812. (d) Study.— (1) Preparation.—The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall prepare a study of Revolutionary War sites and War of 1812 sites. (2) Matters to be addressed.—The study under subsection (b) shall— (A) identify Revolutionary War sites and War of 1812 sites, including sites within units of the National Park System in existence on the date of enactment of this Act; 110 STAT. 4173 (B) determine the relative significance of the sites; (C) assess short- and long-term threats to the integrity of the sites; (D) provide alternatives for the preservation and interpretation of the sites by Federal, State, and local governments, or other public or private entities, including designation of the sites as units of the National Park System; and (E) research and propose land preservation techniques. (3) Consultation.—During the preparation of the study under paragraph (1), the Director shall consult with— (A) the Governor of each affected State; (B) each affected unit of local government; (C) State and local historic preservation organizations; (D) scholarly organizations; and (E) such other interested parties as the Secretary considers advisable. (4) Transmittal to congress.—Not later than 2 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out the study under paragraph (1), the Director shall transmit a report describing the results of the study to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate. (5) Report.—If the Director submits a report on the study to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Secretary shall concurrently transmit copies of the report to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate. (e) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $750,000, to remain available until expended.