Dry Tortugas National Park Enabling Legislation

TITLE 16--CONSERVATION

CHAPTER 1--NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES

SUBCHAPTER LIX-V--DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK

 


Sec. 410xx. Establishment

(a) In general
In order to preserve and protect for the education, inspiration, and enjoyment of present and future generations nationally significant natural, historic, scenic, marine, and scientific values in South Florida, there is hereby established the Dry Tortugas National Park (hereinafter in this subchapter referred to as the ``park'').

(b) Area included
The park shall consist of the lands, waters,and interests therein generally depicted on the map entitled ``Boundary Map, Fort Jefferson
National Monument'', numbered 364-90,001, and dated April 1980 (which is the map referenced by section 201 of Public Law 96-287). The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the offices of the
National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

(c) Abolition of monument
The Fort Jefferson National Monument is hereby abolished.

Sec. 410xx-1. Administration

(a) In general
The Secretary shall administer the park in accordance with this subchapter and with the provisions of law generally applicable to units
of the national park system, including sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this title.

(b) Management purposes
The park shall be managed for the following purposes, among others:

  1. To protect and interpret a pristine subtropical marine ecosystem, including an intact coral reef community.
  2. To protect populations of fish and wildlife, including (but not limited to) loggerhead and green sea turtles, sooty terns,frigate birds, and numerous migratory bird species.
  3. To protect the pristine natural environment of the Dry Tortugas group of islands.
  4. To protect, stabilize, restore, and interpret Fort Jefferson, an outstanding example of nineteenth century masonry
    fortification.
  5. To preserve and protect submerged cultural resources.
  6. In a manner consistent with paragraphs (1) through (5), to provide opportunities for scientific research.
 

Sec. 410xx-2. Land acquisition and transfer of property

(a) In general
Within the boundaries of the park the Secretary may acquire lands and interests in land by donation or exchange. For the purposes of acquiring property by exchange with the State of Florida, the Secretary
may, notwithstanding any other provision of law, exchange those Federal lands which were deleted from the park by the boundary modifications enacted by section 201 of the Act of June 28, 1980 (Public Law 96-287),
and which are directly adjacent to lands owned by the State of Florida outside of the park, for lands owned by the State of Florida within the
park boundary.

(b) United States Coast Guard lands
When all or any substantial portion of lands under the administration of the United States Coast Guard located within the park boundaries, including Loggerhead Key, have been determined by the United States Coast Guard to be excess to its needs, such lands shall be transferred directly to the jurisdiction of the Secretary for the purposes of this subchapter. The United States Coast Guard may reserve the right in such transfer to maintain and utilize the existing lighthouse on Loggerhead Key in a manner consistent with the purposes of the United States Coast Guard and the purposes of this subchapter.

(c) Administrative site
The Secretary is authorized to lease or to acquire, by purchase, donation, or exchange, and to operate incidental administrative and
support facilities in Key West, Florida, for park administration and to further the purposes of this subchapter.

Sec. 410xx-3. Authorization of appropriations

There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. Any funds available for the purposes of the monument shall be available for the purposes of the park, and authorizations of funds for the monument shall be available for the park.

Last updated: April 14, 2015

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Mailing Address:

40001 SR-9336
Homestead, FL 33034

Phone:

305 242-7700

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