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1 [1] (April 30, 2024)

handle is hein.crs/govepuw0001 and id is 1 raw text is: a Congressiot Informing the legi il Research Service ~tive debate since 1914 Updated April 30, 2024 American Battlefield Protection Program The American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP; 54 U.S.C. §§308101-308105) is a grant program administered by the National Park Service (NPS) aimed at promoting the preservation of sites where historic battles were fought on American soil (54 U.S.C. §308101 note). Initiated by the Secretary of the Interior in 1991, the program was authorized by Congress in 1996 in the American Battlefield Protection Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-333). At that time, the program's authorization primarily addressed the preservation and protection of Civil War battlefields through conservation easements or land acquisition from willing sellers. Since then, Congress has reauthorized the program multiple times and expanded the program to protect other types of battlefield sites. Over the course of the program's existence, Congress has expressed interest in its funding levels, eligibility requirements, acquisition limits, and other related issues. ABPP Grant Programs The ABPP historically has comprised two competitive grant programs: the Battlefield Planning Grant Program and the Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant Program. In 2019, Congress authorized two additional new grant programs (P.L. 1 16-94)-the Battlefield Interpretation Modernization Grant Program and the Battlefield Restoration Grant Program. BattefieldPlanning Grant Program Under the Battlefield Planning Grant Program (54 U.S.C. §308102), NPS awards grants to groups, institutions, organizations, governments (local, state, and tribal), and federal entities sponsoring preservation projects at historic battlefields. The program supports projects that include site identification and documentation, planning and consensus building, and educational programs, among others. Any battlefield or associated site on American soil is eligible for funding under this grant program. Planning grants are not awarded for land acquisition or capital improvements. Applicants are encouraged but not required to provide matching funds or in-kind services. BattlEfied Land AcquIsition Grant Program Under the Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant Program (54 U.S.C. §308103), grants are awarded to state and local governments seeking fee simple acquisition of eligible battlefield land or the acquisition of permanent protective interests (easements) in battlefield land. Eligible sites for Battlefield Acquisition grants pertain to Revolutionary War, War of 1812, or Civil War battlefield lands. Specifically, eligibility is limited to battlefields listed in the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission's 1993 Report on the Nation's Civil War Battlefields and, as of 2014, those listed in the 2007 The Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Historic Preservation Study (P.L. 113-291). Grants awarded through this program require at least a 50% nonfederal cost share. Battlefield Pnterpretaton Modernization and Battlefield Restoration Grant Programs Following authorization by Congress in 2019, NPS now awards two new types of ABPP grants. The Battlefield Interpretation Modernization Grant Program (54 U.S.C. §308104) funds projects and programs that deploy technology to modernize battlefield interpretation and education. The Battlefield Restoration Grant Program (54 U.S.C. §308105) provides funding for projects that restore day-of-battle conditions. Eligible sites for both programs pertain to Revolutionary War, War of 1812, or Civil War battlefield lands. NPS generally provides two types of grants for each program: (1) scoping grants to fund the early stages of project development, such as research, consultation, and evaluation to determine appropriate treatment options, and (2) implementation grants for projects ready for completion. Both programs require at least a 50% nonfederal cost share for project proposals. Authorization and Fundn Hstory NPS first awarded grants for projects at historic battlefields in 1992, following the creation of the program in 1991 under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior. In 1996, Congress codified the program in the American Battlefield Protection Act of 1996 (Section 604 ofP.L. 104-333), authorizing $3 million annually for 10 years to assist in planning, interpreting, and protecting historic battlefield sites. Congress reauthorized the Battlefield Planning Grant Program in 2002 and authorized an additional $10 million to be appropriated for each of FY2004 through FY2008 (P.L. 107-359) for a land acquisition grant program. In March 2009, Congress passed new legislation (P.L. 111-11) authorizing discretionary appropriations of $3 million annually for the Battlefield Planning Grant Program in perpetuity and $10 million annually for the Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant Program from FY2009 through FY2013. Congress subsequently has extended the authorization of funding for acquisition grants multiple times. The program is currently authorized to receive $18 million annually through FY2028 (54 U.S.C. §308103(f)). In 2019, Congress established the Battlefield Interpretation Modernization and Battlefield Restoration grant programs and authorized up to $1 million for each program for each of FY2020 through FY2028. Planning grants are funded in annual appropriations acts within NPS's National Recreation and Preservation (NR&P) account. Appropriations for the program are split between two subaccounts within the NR&P account: direct grant-making funds are provided under the Cultural