H.R. 9325

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9325 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9325

To establish the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area to 
conserve, protect, and promote the economic benefits of the natural, 
cultural, and recreational resources of the Upper and Middle Texas Gulf 
Coast as a unit of the National Park System.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 15, 2026

Mr. Weber of Texas (for himself, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Nehls, and Mr. Babin) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To establish the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area to 
conserve, protect, and promote the economic benefits of the natural, 
cultural, and recreational resources of the Upper and Middle Texas Gulf 
Coast as a unit of the National Park System.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Lone Star Coastal 
National Recreation Area Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Establishment; boundaries; land acquisition.
Sec. 5. Administration.
Sec. 6. Lone Star Coastal Partnership.
Sec. 7. Integrated resource management plan.
Sec. 8. Savings provisions.
Sec. 9. Authorization of appropriations.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

The purposes of establishing the Lone Star Coastal National 
Recreation Area as a unit of the National Park System are--
(1) to promote the expansion of access and opportunities 
for outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing, 
conservation, and heritage tourism in a way that supports the 
local economy and rural communities;
(2) to conserve open space on voluntarily participating 
public and nongovernmental lands, with a principle focus on 
those lands and habitats that contribute to improved public 
access and programs that enhance the coastal area's 
attractiveness;
(3) to protect the long-term health of the natural coastal 
ecosystem, with a focus on nationally significant flora and 
fauna of the coastal area; and
(4) to preserve the long-term coastal, natural resource-
based economy reliant on recreation, nature and heritage 
tourism, and traditional land use.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Associated sites.--The term ``associated sites'' means 
land or a facility within Jefferson, Chambers, Galveston, 
Brazoria, or Matagorda Counties in Texas that participate in 
the Network through a cooperative agreement, interagency 
agreement, or other voluntary agreement authorized under this 
Act, without regard to ownership or transfer of administrative 
jurisdiction.
(2) Land.--The term ``land'' includes surface waters and 
submerged lands.
(3) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled 
``Proposed Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area'', 
numbered LSCNRA-001, and dated June 2026.
(4) National recreation area.--The term ``National 
Recreation Area'' means the Lone Star Coastal National 
Recreation Area established by section 4.
(5) Network.--The term ``Network'' means both the National 
Recreation Area and the associated sites.
(6) Partnership.--The term ``Partnership'' means the Lone 
Star Coastal Partnership established by section 6.
(7) Plan.--The term ``Plan'' means the Integrated Resources 
Management Plan developed under section 7.
(8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National 
Park Service.
(9) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Texas or 
a political subdivision of the State.

SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT; BOUNDARIES; LAND ACQUISITION.

(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), there is 
established the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area as a 
unit of the National Park System to conserve, protect, 
interpret, and promote the economic, natural, cultural, and 
recreational resources of the Upper and Middle Texas Gulf Coast 
for the benefit of current and future generations, and to 
protect the historical significance of the region to the State 
of Texas and the United States.
(2) Condition.--The National Recreation Area shall be 
established on the date that the Secretary determines that 
sufficient lands or interests in land have been acquired to 
constitute a manageable unit of the National Park System.
(3) Notice.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall publish in the 
Federal Register notice of the establishment of the National 
Recreation Area.
(b) Boundary.--The boundary of the National Recreation Area shall 
include any area acquired by the Secretary from the sites depicted on 
the Map.
(c) Availability of Map.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date the 
Secretary approves the Plan, the Secretary shall publish an 
official boundary map of the National Recreation Area and 
associated sites. The map shall be on file and available for 
public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National 
Park Service and made available to the Texas Parks and Wildlife 
Department.
(2) Boundary revision.--If the Secretary acquires from 
willing landowners additional land or interests in land in 
accordance with subsection (d), the Secretary shall make 
revisions of the boundary of the National Recreation Area by 
publication of a revised map or other boundary description in 
the Federal Register.
(d) Acquisition Authority.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the 
acquisition of any lands or interest in lands that are not 
currently designated public lands or lands currently held for 
preservation or conservation by State, local, or nonprofit 
organizations.
(2) Acquisition.--The Secretary may acquire any land or 
interest in land from the sites designated on the Map by--
(A) donation;
(B) purchase from a willing seller with donated 
funds;
(C) exchange; or
(D) transfer from another Federal agency.
(3) Condemnation.--No land or interest in land for the 
National Recreation Area may be acquired by condemnation.
(e) Federal Lands.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
administrative jurisdiction of the Federal land generally 
depicted as associated sites on the Map may be transferred to 
the Secretary--
(A) if the Secretary requests, from the head of the 
agency administering such Federal lands, a transfer of 
administrative jurisdiction for purposes of inclusion 
in the National Recreation Area; and
(B) the head of the Federal agency consents to such 
transfer.
(2) USFWS land.--The following lands may not be transferred 
to the Secretary for inclusion within the National Recreation 
Area:
(A) Land within the National Wildlife Refuge 
System.
(B) Land administered by the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service.
(f) Cooperative Determination of Eligible Sites.--In determining 
the eligibility of lands, waters, and resources for inclusion in the 
Network, the Secretary shall--
(1) work jointly with the Partnership; and
(2) base each determination on locally produced 
documentation submitted voluntarily by landowners, local 
governments, conservation organizations, and the Lone Star 
Coastal Alliance.
(g) Network Participation.--
(1) In general.--A parcel, site, or resource may only be 
included in the Network with--
(A) the written consent of the landowner or 
administrator of the resource; and
(B) the voluntary submission of supporting 
documentation for review pursuant to subsection (f).
(2) Ownership and management.--Participation in the Network 
shall not be construed to confer Federal ownership or 
management authority over participating lands or resources.

SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION.

(a) In General.--
(1) National recreation area.--The National Recreation Area 
shall be administered by the Secretary in partnership with the 
State, local subdivisions, private landowners, and others--
(A) in accordance with this Act; and
(B) the provisions of law generally applicable to 
units of the National Park System, including the 
National Park Service Organic Act (54 U.S.C. 100301) 
and the Act of August 21, 1935 (54 U.S.C. 320101).
(2) Associated sites.--Among the associated sites, the 
Secretary shall carry out the agreements authorized by this 
section in consultation with the partners described in 
paragraph (1) and in accordance with the Plan.
(b) Coordination.--Consistent with the purposes of the National 
Recreation Area, the Secretary shall coordinate the management of the 
National Recreation Area with the Partnership.
(c) Agreements.--
(1) Interpretation agreements.--The Secretary may enter 
into agreements with other entities to provide informational, 
educational, and interpretive resources throughout the Network, 
including with respect to--
(A) resources located within a national wildlife 
refuge among the associated sites;
(B) the Flower Garden Banks National Marine 
Sanctuary and other marine and maritime resources of 
national interest;
(C) Galveston Bay, through the Environmental 
Protection Agency's National Estuary Program; and
(D) National Historic Landmarks and Districts.
(2) Cooperative management agreements.--In carrying out 
this Act, the Secretary may enter into cooperative management 
agreements with associated sites, governmental entities, or 
other members of the Partnership to provide for the 
interpretation, coordination, protection, and management of 
resources within the Network.
(3) Cooperative agreements.--
(A) In general.--To further the purposes of this 
Act and notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, United 
States Code, the Secretary may enter into cooperative 
agreements with other Federal agencies, State agencies 
with a focus on coastal resiliency, members of the 
Partnership, and nonprofit organizations whose 
properties have been identified as associated sites--
(i) to provide technical and financial 
assistance for natural, historic, or cultural 
resource protection, interpretation, access, 
education and outdoor recreation projects or 
programs, and in accordance with the Plan; and
(ii) subject to the availability of 
appropriations, to provide not more than 25 
percent of the cost of any natural, historic, 
or cultural resource protection, 
interpretation, access, education and outdoor 
recreation project or program that is 
consistent with the Plan.
(B) Public access.--Any cooperative agreement 
entered into under this subsection shall include terms 
for reasonable public access to the applicable site as 
appropriate, consistent with the purposes of such site.
(d) Funds.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may accept and use donated 
funds, property, and services to carry out this Act.
(2) Approval required.--Funds appropriated or donated 
pursuant to this Act may not be expended until the Secretary 
approves the Plan, including--
(A) any amendments to the Plan; or
(B) interim administration.
(3) Large acquisitions.--
(A) In general.--Any large acquisition carried out 
pursuant to this section shall be conducted in 
accordance with applicable Federal procurement and 
competitive bidding requirements, including 
requirements relating to public notice, competition, 
and transparency.
(B) Reimbursement.--Any payment made by the 
Secretary under subparagraph (A) shall be subject to an 
agreement that the conversion, use, or disposal of the 
project for purposes that are inconsistent with the 
purposes of this Act, as determined by the Secretary, 
shall result in a right of the United States to 
reimbursement of the greater of--
(i) the amount provided by the Secretary to 
the project under subparagraph (A); or
(ii) an amount equal to the increase in the 
value of the project that is attributable to 
the funds, as determined by the Secretary at 
the time of the conversion, use, or disposal.
(C) Matching requirement.--As a condition of the 
receipt of funds under subparagraph (A)--
(i) the Secretary shall require that any 
Federal funds made available under a 
cooperative agreement entered into under this 
paragraph shall be matched on a ratio of at 
least three non-Federal dollars to every 
Federal dollar; and
(ii) the non-Federal share of the match may 
be expended prior to the date of the agreement 
and may be in the form of cash, services, or 
in-kind contributions, fairly valued.
(e) Construction of Facilities on Non-Federal Lands.--In order to 
facilitate the administration of the National Recreation Area and 
associated sites, the Secretary is authorized, subject to the 
availability of appropriations or donations, to construct essential 
administrative and visitor facilities on willing non-Federal lands 
consistent with the Plan.
(f) Management in Accordance With an Integrated Management Plan.--
The Secretary shall preserve, interpret, manage, and provide 
educational and recreational uses for the National Recreation Area, in 
consultation with the owners and managers of lands in the Network, in 
accordance with the Plan.

SEC. 6. LONE STAR COASTAL PARTNERSHIP.

(a) Establishment.--There is established the Lone Star Coastal 
Partnership to facilitate cooperation among and to coordinate the 
activities of Federal, State, and local governmental entities, 
nongovernmental organizations, individuals and private entities in the 
development and implementation of the Plan for the Network.
(b) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Partnership shall be composed of up to 
31 willing members as provided for in this subsection, with not 
more than 49 percent from Federal and State governmental 
entities, representing fee or less than fee interests in land, 
and such others as appointed by the Secretary within 180 days 
of the effective date of this section as follows:
(A) One individual, appointed by the Secretary, to 
represent the National Park Service.
(B) One individual, appointed by the Secretary, to 
represent the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(C) The Texas Governor's Office of Economic 
Development Tourism office, ex officio.
(D) The Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife 
Department, ex officio.
(E) The Director of the Texas Historical 
Commission, ex officio.
(F) The County Judges of Galveston, Brazoria, 
Matagorda, Chambers, and Jefferson Counties, ex 
officio.
(G) One individual per county to represent private 
landowners in the respective counties, as recommended 
by the participating County Judges from Galveston, 
Brazoria, Matagorda, Chambers, and Jefferson Counties, 
and appointed by the Secretary. These individuals serve 
at the pleasure of the respective County Judges.
(H) Local land managers, ex officio, of each of the 
associated sites, not to exceed 15 board members at one 
time.
(I) The Chairman of the Board, ex officio, of the 
Lone Star Coastal Alliance, to represent the Alliance, 
a nonprofit organization the sole purpose of which is 
to support the Network, including but not limited to 
fundraising.
(2) Ex officio members.--Any member serving on the 
Partnership ex oficio shall serve by virtue of holding the 
office that provides for such service and shall continue to 
serve only for so long as the member holds that office.
(c) Resignation.--Any member of the Partnership may resign at any 
time, removing themselves and their sites from the Partnership. Sites 
owned by a former partner may remain in the Network by written 
agreement between the former partner and the Partnership.
(d) Compensation.--Members of the Partnership shall serve without 
pay, but while away from their homes or regular places of business in 
the performance of services for the Partnership, members may be allowed 
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same 
manner as persons employed intermittently in the Government service are 
allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
(e) Election of Officers.--The Partnership shall elect one of its 
members as Chairperson and one as Vice Chairperson. The term of office 
of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be one year. The Vice 
Chairperson shall serve as Chairperson in the absence of the 
Chairperson.
(f) Vacancy.--Any vacancy on the Partnership shall be filled in the 
same manner in which the original appointment was made.
(g) Meetings.--The Partnership shall meet at the call of the 
Chairperson or a majority of its members.
(h) Quorum.--A majority of the Partnership shall constitute a 
quorum.
(i) Committees.--The Chairperson may establish committees and 
appoint to the committees members and non-members of the Partnership. 
The purpose of the committees shall be to make recommendations to the 
Lone Star Coastal Partnership on issues related to the development and 
implementation of the Plan, as well as to undertake special activities 
as requested by the Chairperson.
(1) Membership.--In addition to members of the Partnership 
appointed to the Committees, the Chairperson may appoint 
nonvoting advisors with knowledge related to the purposes of 
the committees from the following categories of entities, 
including but not limited to--
(A) municipalities;
(B) educational and cultural institutions;
(C) environmental organizations;
(D) business and commercial entities related to 
transportation, tourism, energy, and the maritime 
industry;
(E) organizations focused on coastal issues; and
(F) Federal, State, and local agency 
representatives.
(2) Officers.--The Chairperson of the Partnership shall 
appoint members of the Partnership to chair respective 
Committees.
(3) Procedures.--All meetings of the Committees shall be 
open to the public.
(j) Executive Committee.--The Partnership is authorized to 
establish an executive committee through a two-thirds vote of the full 
membership of the Partnership for the purposes of overseeing the 
development and implementation of the Plan.
(k) Staff of the Partnership.--
(1) Detailees.--The Secretary may provide the Partnership 
with such staff and technical assistance as the Secretary, 
after consultation with the Partnership, considers appropriate 
to enable the Partnership to carry out its duties. The 
Secretary may accept the services of personnel detailed from 
the State, or any entity represented on the Partnership.
(2) Additional staff.--The Partnership may hire staff to 
accomplish the goals as set out in this Act, as deemed 
appropriate, and through means determined by agreement of the 
Partnership and Executive Committee.
(l) Hearings.--The Partnership may hold such hearings, sit and act 
at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such 
evidence, as the Partnership determines appropriate.
(m) Donations.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Partnership may seek and accept donations of funds, property, or 
services from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other private 
and public entities for the purpose of carrying out this section.
(n) Use of Funds To Obtain Money.--The Partnership may use its 
funds to obtain money from any source under any program or law 
requiring the recipient of such money to make a contribution in order 
to receive such money.
(o) Mails.--The Partnership may use the United States mails in the 
same manner and upon the same conditions as other departments and 
agencies of the United States.
(p) Obtaining Property.--The Partnership may obtain from willing 
parties through agreed upon means, such property, facilities, and 
services as may be needed to carry out its duties, except that the 
Partnership may not acquire any real property or interest in real 
property.
(q) Ethics.--All members of the Partnership are expected to comply 
with applicable ethics rules and regulations, which, along with usual 
and customary conflict of interest disclosure requirements, will be 
established in the Partnership charter and bylaws.

SEC. 7. INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN.

(a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after its establishment, 
the Partnership shall submit to the Secretary an integrated resource 
management plan.
(b) Contents and Development of Plan.--
(1) Management plan.--To further the purposes of this Act, 
the Plan shall include--
(A) an identifiable management plan for the 
National Park Service owned and managed lands 
consistent with the requirements of section 100502 of 
title 54, United States Code; and
(B) an identifiable management plan for associated 
sites in the Network to facilitate cooperation and 
coordination among willing owners of the associated 
sites.
(2) Additional factors.--In developing the Plan, the 
Partnership shall take into consideration--
(A) the purposes for creating the National 
Recreation Area as stated in section 2;
(B) a strategy to finance and support the public 
improvements and services recommended in the Plan, 
including allocation of non-Federal matching 
requirements set forth in section 5 and a delineation 
of private-sector roles and responsibilities;
(C) a strategy for the coordination of activities 
that may be carried out by Federal, State, and local 
agencies having jurisdiction over land within the 
Network;
(D) criteria for entering and administering 
agreements, interagency disaster coordination, funding, 
and all other provisions authorized under this Act;
(E) emphasis on local control, including but not 
limited to, the voluntary submittal of land through 
cooperative agreements as it relates to inclusion and 
exclusion into the National Recreation Area and 
associated sites by willing landowners;
(F) that this Act is prohibited from affecting--
(i) landowner rights to the adjacent and 
nearby parcels of land included in the National 
Recreation Area and associated sites; and
(ii) existing specific regulations of 
Federal, State, and local government entities 
as listed in subsections (a) and (c) of section 
8;
(G) including a policy statement that recognizes 
existing economic activities within the area and a 
program for voluntary coordination and cooperation of 
willing parties; and
(H) any additional savings provisions listed in 
section 8 of this Act that is not otherwise included in 
this section.
(3) Submission to state governor.--
(A) In general.--Prior to submitting the Plan to 
the Secretary, the Partnership shall--
(i) submit the Plan to the Governor of 
Texas for review; and
(ii) consider the Governor's 
recommendations with respect to the Plan.
(B) Failure to respond.--If the Governor does not 
respond to the Partnership with recommendations within 
90 days of receiving the Plan from the Partnership, the 
Partnership shall submit the plan to the Secretary.
(c) Approval of Plan.--
(1) Timeline.--The Partnership shall submit the Plan to the 
Secretary, and the Secretary shall approve or disapprove the 
Plan not later than 90 days after the submission.
(2) Determination.--In determining whether or not to 
approve the associated sites program, the Secretary shall 
consider--
(A) the adequacy of public participation;
(B) assurances of Plan implementation from State 
and local officials; and
(C) the adequacy of management and financial tools 
in place to implement the Plan.
(3) Disapproval.--If the Secretary disapproves the Plan, or 
any portion of the Plan--
(A) not later than 60 days after the date of such 
disapproval, the Secretary shall advise the Partnership 
in writing of the reasons for disapproval and 
recommendations for revision;
(B) not later than 90 days of receipt of such 
notice of disapproval, the Partnership shall revise and 
resubmit the Plan, or respective portions to the 
Governor of Texas for a 60-day review period;
(C) upon receipt of recommendations from the 
Governor of Texas or the expiration of the review 
period described in subparagraph (B), whichever occurs 
first, the Partnership shall resubmit the Plan to the 
Secretary; and
(D) not later than 60 days after resubmission under 
subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall approve or 
disapprove the revised Plan or portion of the Plan.
(d) Interim Program.--Prior to adoption of the Plan, the Secretary 
and the Partnership shall assist the owners and managers of land within 
the Network to ensure that existing programs, services, and activities 
that promote the purposes of this section are supported. The Secretary 
and the Partnership will develop interim criteria to address 
eligibility for the establishment of an associated site and criteria 
and eligibility for entering and administering cooperative agreements 
as provided for under subsections (c) and (d) of section 5.

SEC. 8. SAVINGS PROVISIONS.

(a) State and Local Jurisdiction.--Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed to diminish, enlarge, or modify any other Federal authority 
or program, and any right of the State or any political subdivision 
thereof, to exercise civil and criminal jurisdiction or to carry out 
State laws, rules, and regulations, including those relating to fish 
and wildlife, or to tax persons, corporations, franchises, including on 
lands owned by the associated sites.
(b) Relationship to Private Property.--The maintenance, operation, 
and use of private property, including the lands in proximity to lands 
administered by the National Park Service, shall not be deemed to be 
inconsistent with or otherwise subject to any restriction or regulation 
as a result of this designation.
(1) No new regulations.--Landowners shall not be subject to 
any new regulations, directly, indirectly or by implication, to 
any existing or subsequent regulations, including but not 
limited to the Endangered Species Act, as a consequence of 
designation.
(2) Clean air act.--The application of the Prevention of 
Significant Deterioration provisions of the Federal Clean Air 
Act relative to mandatory designation of Class I Areas shall 
not apply.
(3) Federally authorized or permitted channels, storm surge 
protection, flood control devices, oil and gas pipelines and 
projects.--The designation shall in no way be inconsistent with 
or impede the construction, maintenance, operation, and use of 
federally authorized or permitted channels, storm surge 
protection, flood control devices, oil and gas pipelines and 
projects and the result of such functions shall not be deemed 
to be an owned land of a public park, National Recreation Area, 
or other public resource within the meaning of section 303(c) 
of title 49, United States Code, and shall not be deemed to 
have a significant effect on natural, scenic, and recreation 
assets within the meaning of section 47101(h)(2) of title 49, 
United States Code.
(4) Emergency response.--In the event of emergency 
conditions created by acts of God, including natural disasters, 
any relevant Federal, State, or local governmental entity may 
provide expedited emergency relief and assistance where 
necessary to protect life or real property during the pendency 
of the emergency, the provision of which shall not be deemed 
inconsistent with or otherwise subject to any restriction or 
regulation as a result of this designation. This Act does not 
preempt or otherwise alter any funding or Federal support for 
lands and improved property. National hurricane response 
efforts and Federal grants would still be accessible to all 
parties within the Network that qualify under the established 
criteria for these programs. Nothing in this Act affects any 
jurisdiction or responsibility of FEMA with respect to lands 
not owned by the National Park Service.
(c) Activities Within the National Recreation Area.--
(1) Hunting, fishing, off road vehicles and personal water 
craft.--Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), and with 
the written consent of the immediate prior grantor of fee or 
less than fee interest in land to the National Park Service, 
the Secretary shall permit hunting and recreational and 
commercial fishing, off road vehicle and personal water craft 
use on lands and waters owned or managed by the National Park 
Service within the National Recreation Area, in accordance with 
applicable Federal and State law.
(2) Administrative exceptions.--The Secretary may 
temporarily restrict such uses under paragraph (1) only as 
needed to address public safety and emergency situations.
(3) Consultation.--Except in public safety and emergency 
situations, decisions to close locations within the National 
Recreation Area to such uses shall be made in consultation 
with, but not limited to, local user groups, including but not 
limited to, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
(4) Closures.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
decisions to close locations within the National Recreation 
Area to such uses shall not become effective until the 
Secretary files public notice providing the justification for 
the closure, the location or locations being closed and the 
expected duration.
(5) Savings clause.--Nothing in this Act affects any 
jurisdiction or responsibility of the State with respect to 
fish and wildlife on Federal land and water covered by this 
Act.
(6) Oil and gas minerals.--When acquiring land, waters, or 
interests therein, the Secretary shall permit a reservation by 
the grantor of all or any part of the oil and gas minerals in 
such land or waters and of other minerals therein which can be 
removed by similar means, with the right of occupation and use 
of so much of the surface of the land or waters as may be 
required for all purposes reasonably incident to the mining or 
removal of such from beneath the surface of these lands and 
water and the lands and waters adjacent thereto, under such 
regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary with respect 
to such mining or removal.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) General.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as 
may be necessary for the Secretary to provide technical assistance, 
interpretation, planning, marketing, cooperative agreement 
administration, education, and signage in furtherance of this Act.
(b) Expenditures.--Except for costs associated with the 
establishment and operations of the Partnership, interim planning, and 
development of the Plan, expenditures shall be consistent with the 
approved Plan.
(c) Land Acquisition by Condemnation.--Funds appropriated pursuant 
to this Act may not be used for the acquisition of land or any interest 
in land by condemnation.
(d) Limitation on Federal Ownership.--Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed to require or authorize the acquisition of land or interests 
in land except from willing sellers through donation, purchase with 
donated funds, exchange, or transfer from another Federal agency, 
consistent with section 4.
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