H.R. 10581: Shenandoah Valley Access, Legacy, and Outdoor Recreation Act

This bill would expand and adjust the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District to include additional areas and update how the district is managed.

What would change

• It would rename references so the district is treated as involving both Virginia and West Virginia, instead of only Virginia.
• It would add new areas to the district, including:
  • Rockbridge County, Virginia
  • Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties, West Virginia
• It would require the district’s management plan to be updated to address the new areas, including interpretation, partnerships, and other needs.
• It would keep the district operating as a partnership model, meaning it would continue to be managed through coordination among the management entity and related partners rather than being run like a typical single federal park unit.

How administration and funding would work

• The bill says the district would not be subject to certain administrative rules or funding formulas that apply to other National Heritage Areas.
• Beginning in fiscal year 2027, the district and its management entity would continue to receive at least the same amount of funding for management and administration as was provided in fiscal year 2026.
• They would also remain eligible for technical assistance and grants available to National Heritage Areas.

Authorized funding

• The bill authorizes $1.25 million per year starting in fiscal year 2027 for the management entity.
  • Up to $625,000 could be used for the entity’s operations.
  • Up to $625,000 could be used for operation and maintenance of battlefield parks, visitor facilities, and preserved historic properties in the district.
• It also authorizes $2.5 million per year for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2033 for:
  • grants and technical assistance, and
  • acquiring land and land interests from willing sellers for the district.

Federal report

• Within two years after enactment, the Secretary of the Interior would have to report to Congress with recommendations on how to apply the district’s partnership model in other places in the National Park System.

Relevant Companies

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