S. 432 — Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park Establishment Act

This section provides definitions for terms used in the Act, including (1) map, meaning the map entitled “Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park Proposed Boundary” numbered 962/194,681 and dated September 2024; (2) National Historical Park, meaning the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park established by section 3(a)(1); (3) Secretary, meaning the Secretary of the Interior; and (4) State, meaning the State of New York.

This section establishes the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park as a unit of the National Park System upon the Secretary's determination that sufficient land or interests within the proposed boundary (per accompanying map) have been acquired to constitute a manageable unit, with notice published in the Federal Register not later than 30 days thereafter. The park's purpose is to preserve, protect, and interpret resources associated with the 982 World War II refugees housed at Fort Ontario from August 1944 to February 1946. The Secretary shall administer the park consistent with laws generally applicable to National Park System units; enter into cooperative agreements with the state or other entities for interpretive, educational, and restoration services on non-federal lands (ensuring reasonable public access); and acquire lands or interests within the boundary by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange (state or local government lands only by donation). Not later than three fiscal years after funds are made available, the Secretary, in consultation with the state, shall complete a general management plan for the park in accordance with section 100502 of title 54, United States Code. (As background, section 100502 requires general management plans for all National Park System units to address resource preservation, types and intensities of development (including costs and timing), visitor carrying capacities, and potential boundary modifications, with annual reports to Congress on plan status.)