16 U.S.C. § 410dd — Establishment

In order to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of those participating in the campaigns of the Pacific theater of World War II and to conserve and interpret outstanding natural, scenic, and historic values and objects on the island of Guam for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations, the War in the Pacific National Historical Park (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “park”) is hereby established.

The boundaries of the park shall be as generally depicted on the drawing entitled “Boundary Map, War in the Pacific National Historical Park, Guam” numbered P–24–80,000–B and dated March 1978, which shall be on file and available for inspection in the offices of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Following ninety days notice to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Secretary may make minor revisions of the boundary of the park by publication of a revised map in the Federal Register.

Within the boundaries of the park, the Secretary may acquire lands and interests therein by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, exchange, or transfer.

Other points on the island of Guam relevant to the park may be identified, established, and marked by the Secretary in agreement with the Governor of Guam.

The Secretary shall administer property acquired in accordance with the laws generally applicable to the management of units of the National Park System.

The Secretary is authorized to seek the assistance of appropriate historians to interpret the historical aspects of the park. To the greatest extent possible, interpretative activities will be conducted in the following three languages: English, Chamorro, and Japanese.

The Secretary is authorized to enter into negotiations with the Secretary of Defense for the berthing and interpretation of a naval vessel of World War II vintage which shall be accessible to the public on the island of Guam.

The Secretary is authorized and directed, to the maximum extent feasible, to employ and train residents of Guam or of the Northern Mariana Islands to develop, maintain, and administer the park.

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no fee or charge shall be imposed for entrance or admission into the War in the Pacific National Historical Park.

For the purposes of the park established under this section, effective October 1, 1978, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary, but not to exceed $16,000,000 for the acquisition of lands or interests in lands and $8,000,000 for development.

Within the boundaries of the park, the Secretary is authorized to construct a monument which shall commemorate the loyalty of the people of Guam and the herosim 1 of the American forces that liberated Guam.

Within the boundaries of the park, the Secretary is authorized to implement programs to interpret experiences of the people of Guam during World War II, including, but not limited to, oral histories of those people of Guam who experienced the occupation.

Within six months after December 17, 1993, the Secretary, through the Director of the National Park Service, shall develop and transmit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report containing updated cost estimates for the development of the park. Further, this report shall contain a general plan to implement subsections (l) and (m), including, at a minimum, cost estimates for the design and construction of the monument authorized in section 2 (l).

The Secretary may take such steps as may be necessary to preserve and protect various World War II vintage weapons and fortifications which exist within the boundaries of the park.