[Federal Register: July 12, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 133)]
[Notices]
[Page 38100-38101]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12jy07-86]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Availability of Funding for Acquisition of Civil War Battlefield
Land
AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Availability of Funding for Acquisition of Civil War
Battlefield Land.
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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of
funds to assist States and local communities in acquiring for permanent
protection lands, or interests in lands, at significant Civil War
battlefield sites.
[[Page 38101]]
Under Public Law (Pub. L.) 110-5, making appropriations to the
Department of Interior in FY 2007, Congress appropriated $4 million
from the Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to assist non-federal
efforts to acquire and preserve Civil War battlefield lands. NPS seeks
proposals from State and local governments--or from qualified non-
profit historic preservation organizations acting through an agency of
State or local government--for the non-federal acquisition of
significant Civil War battlefield land.
Project proposals are subject to the following requirements.
1. These funds must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with
non-federal dollars. That is, the federal dollars can pay for no more
than one-half of the acquisition cost.
2. The purchase price must be supported by a qualified appraisal
that has been approved by NPS as meeting the Uniform Appraisal
Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions.
3. The battlefield land acquired with the assistance of these funds
must be permanently protected from inappropriate development through
conveyance of a perpetual easement to a public historic preservation
agency.
NPS will give priority to acquisition of land, or interests in
land, within the ``core'' areas of Priority I and Priority II
battlefields, as identified by the Congressionally-chartered Civil War
Sites Advisory Commission (CWSAC). Among potential projects, NPS will
give highest priority to acquisition projects that can be completed
within the immediate future.
Proposals may be submitted at any time, and must include:
(1) CWSAC Priority Listing and Map
The applicant must include the CWSAC priority listing and document
that the proposed acquisition lies within the battlefield core and/or
study area, as defined by the CWSAC. Applicants must submit a U.S.
Geological Survey quadrangle map with the boundaries of the proposed
acquisition clearly drawn.
(2) Threat to the Battlefield
The applicant must demonstrate that the battlefield is imminently
threatened. The nature, the extent, and the level of severity of the
threat to the battlefield must be clearly and convincingly stated.
Further, the applicant must describe how and to what extent the
proposed acquisition addresses the described threat. In cases where
there is minimal threat, applications will be considered if there is a
stated compelling reason why the acquisition of the property at this
time is a better use of LWCF funds than waiting for a more threatened
property.
(3) Ability To Secure Non-Federal Match
An applicant that has secured matching funds must list all sources
of those funds. The applicant must certify that the non-federal
matching funds are either ``in-hand'' or otherwise committed in writing
at the time of application. Third-party matching share commitments must
be documented by letter from the third party. Matching share
commitments contingent upon receipt of federal funds from this program
are acceptable.
An applicant that has not yet secured matching funds must submit a
specific, credible plan for raising the necessary matching funds. The
plan must identify potential sources of funds. It must include a
proposed schedule, usually not more than 120 days, for securing funds
or commitments of funds.
(4) Immediacy of Acquisition
The applicant must demonstrate that the owner of the property to be
acquired is willing to sell the land at an agreed-upon price.
Acceptable documentation includes a contract or contingent contract to
buy the land, or a letter from the owner indicating willingness to
enter into such a contract at a specified price. The applicant should
include a schedule for completion of the acquisition within the near
future.
ADDRESSES: Funding proposals should be mailed to: Paul Hawke, Chief,
American Battlefield Protection Program, National Park Service, 1849 C
Street, NW., Org. Code 2255, Washington, DC 20240, telephone (202) 354-
2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Hawke, Chief, American
Battlefield Protection Program, National Park Service, 1849 C Street,
NW., Org Code 2255, Washington, DC 20240, telephone (202) 354-2023.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Guidelines and submittal instructions may be
found at the American Battlefield Protection Program Web site: http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/index2.htm
.
Dated: May 2, 2007.
Paul Hawke,
Chief, American Battlefield Protection Program.
[FR Doc. E7-13527 Filed 7-11-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P