Preface

Introduction

Working in Partnership with Others

The Purpose of the Park

Why is the Park Significant?

Telling the Park Stories

Park Overview

Interpretive Challenges and Opportunities

Resource Protection Challenges aned Opportunities

Existing Facilities for Visitor Use and Park Operations

The Plan

Implementation Concepts

Site-Specific Information

Appendix A: Legislation

Planning Team Members

References

Table of Contents

LEGISLATION

Nez Perce National Historical Park
1965 Enabling Legislation and 1992 Amendments

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That it is the purpose of this Act to facilitate protection and provide interpretation of sites in the Nez Perce Country of Idaho and in the States of Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Wyoming that have exceptional value in commemorating the history of the Nation

Sec. 2. To implement this purpose the Secretary of Interior may designate as the Nez Perce National Historical Park various component sites in Federal and non Federal ownership relating to the early Nez Perce culture, the Lewis and Clark Expedition through the area, the fur trade, missionaries, gold mining and logging, the Nez Perce war of 1877, and such other sites as he finds will depict the role of the Nez Perce country in the westward expansion of the Nation.

Sites to be so designated shall include--

(1) Tolo Lake, Idaho;
(2) Looking Glass' 1877 Campsite, Idaho;
(3) Buffalo Eddy, Washington and Idaho;
(4) Traditional Crossing Near Doug Bar, Oregon and Idaho;
(5) Camas Meadows Battle Sites, Idaho;
(6J Joseph Canyon Viewpoint, Oregon;
(7) Traditional Campsite at the Fork of the Lostine and Wallowa Rivers, Oregon;
(8) Burial Site of Chief Joseph the Younger, Washington;
(9) Nez Perce Campsites, Washington;
(10) Big Hole National Battlefield, Montana;
(11) Bear's Paw Battleground, Montana;
(12) Canyon Creek, Montana; and
(13) Hasotino Village, Idaho;

Sec. 3. The Secretary of the Interior may acquire by donation or with donated funds such lands, or interests therein, and other property which in his judgment will further the purpose of this Act and he may purchase with appropriated funds land, or interest therein, required for the administration of the Nez Perce National Historical Park: Provided, That he may purchase no more than one thousand five hundred acres in scenic easements Lands or interests therein owned by a State or political subdivision of a State may be acquired under this section only by donation or exchange. In the case of sites designated as components of the Nez Perce National Historical Park after November 1, 1991, the Secretary may not acquire privately owned land or interests in land without the consent of the owner unless the Secretary finds that---

(1) the nature of land use has changed significantly or that the landowner has demonstrated intent to change the land use significantly from the condition which existed on the date of the enactment of the Nez Perce National Historical Park Addition Act of 1991;
(2) the acquisition by the Secretary of such land or interest in land is essential to assure its use for purposes set forth in this Act; and
(3) such lands or interests are located--
(A) within an area depicted on Sheet 3, 4, or 5 of the map entitled 'Nez Perce Additions', numbered 429-20018, and dated September, 1991, or
(B) within the 8-acre parcel of Old Chief Joseph's Gravesite and Cemetery, Oregon, depicted as 'Parcel A' on Sheet 2 of such map.

Sec. 4. (a) Indian trust land may be designated by the Secretary of the Interior for inclusion in the Nez Perce National Historical Park with the concurrence of the beneficial owner. Sites in Federal ownership under the administrative jurisdiction of other Government agencies may likewise be designated by the Secretary of Interior for inclusion in the Nez Perce National Historical Park with the concurrence of the agency having administrative responsibility therefor, but such designation shall effect no transfer of administrative control unless the administering agency consents thereto. Not more than one thousand acres overall shall be designated pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this subsection. The Secretary of Interior may cooperate with the Nez Perce Tribe or the administering agency, as the case may be, in research into and interpretation of the significance of any site so designated and in providing desirable interpretive services and facilities and other facilities required for public access to and use and enjoyment of the site and in conservation of the scenic and other resources thereof.

(b) The Secretary of Interior may enter into cooperative agreements with the owners of property which, under the provisions of this act, may be designated for inclusion in Nez Perce National Historical Park as sites in non- federal ownership, and he may assist in the preservation, renewal, and interpretation of the properties, provided the cooperative agreements shall contain, but not be limited to, provisions that: (1) the Secretary has right of access at all reasonable times to all public portions of the property for the purpose of conducting visitors through the property and interpreting it to the public, and (2) no changes or alterations shall be made in the properties, including buildings and grounds, without the written consent of the Secretary.

Sec. 5. When the Secretary of the Interior determines that he has acquired title to, or interest in, sufficient properties or determines that he has entered into appropriate cooperative agreements with owners of non-Federal properties, or any combination thereof including the designation of sites already in Federal ownership, he shall by publication in the Federal Register establish the Nez Perce National Historical Park and thereafter administer the Federal property under his administrative jurisdiction in accordance with the Act of August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1 et. seq.), as amended and supplemented.

Sec. 6. (a) In order to carry out the purpose of this Act the Secret of the Interior may contract and make cooperative agreements with the State of Idaho, its States of Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, their political subdivisions or agencies, corporations, associations, the Nez Perce Tribe, or individuals, to protect, preserve, maintain, or operate any site, object, or property included within the Nez Perce National Historical Park, regardless of whether title thereto is in the United States: Provided, That no contract or cooperative agreement shall be made or entered into which will obligate the general fund of the Treasury unless or until Congress has appropriated money for such purpose.

(b) To facilitate the interpretation of the Nez Perce country the Secretary is authorized to erect and maintain tablets or markers in accordance with the provisions contained in the Act approved August 21, 1935, entitled "An Act to provide for the preservation of historic American sites, buildings, objects, and antiquities of national significance, and for other purposes" (49 Stat. 666).

(c) The Secretary shall consult with officials of the Nez Perce Tribe on the interpretation of the park and its history.

Sec. 7. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated the sums of not more than $630,000 $2,130,000 for the acquisition of lands and interests in land and not more than $4,100,000 $9,300,000 for construction, restoration work, and other improvements at the Nez Perce National Historical Park under this Act.

Approved May 15, 1965

Approved October 30, 1992

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