16 U.S.C. § 410oo–2 — Acquisition of property

(a) In general Except where this section says otherwise, the Secretary may acquire land for the park — including structures, other improvements, and personal property — by donation, by purchase with donated or appropriated money, or by exchange. The Secretary may also acquire personal property connected to the park if it helps interpret the park, and may acquire extra land needed for an administrative headquarters and site. If Mississippi or one of its local governments owns any land, structure, improvement, or personal property involved, the Secretary can only acquire it by donation, never by purchase. The Secretary generally cannot acquire full ("fee") title to any property except land needed for the administrative site and headquarters, and the three properties named in paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) of section 410oo–1 (Melrose, Fort Rosalie, and the William Johnson House). Even then, the Secretary cannot acquire the property in paragraph (1) — Melrose — unless at least 25 percent of its fair market value, as the Secretary determines that value, is donated to the United States along with the acquisition. The Secretary may acquire the property in paragraph (3) — the William Johnson House — only by donation. (b) Building for joint use by the Secretary and the City of Natchez (1) Contribution toward construction: The Secretary may agree with the City of Natchez to pay up to $3,000,000 toward planning and building a structure. Part of that structure would serve as the park's administrative headquarters, administrative site, and visitor center. (2) Use for satisfaction of matching requirements: This $3,000,000 payment may count toward matching requirements for other federal grants, even if another law would otherwise limit that. (3) Agreement: Before signing the agreement in paragraph (1), and only after Congress appropriates the necessary money, the Secretary may enter into a contract, lease, cooperative agreement, or similar arrangement with the City of Natchez. This arrangement lets the Secretary use and occupy part of the structure (including the land it sits on) at no cost — except maintenance, utility, and other operating costs — for 50 years, with an option for the Secretary to renew for another 50 years. (4) Authorization of appropriations: Congress may appropriate $3,000,000 to carry out this subsection.