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Amache National Historic Site Act
4/17/2024, 11:44 PM
Summary of Bill HR 2497
The bill aims to preserve and protect the history of the Amache internment camp, which was one of ten camps where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during the war. It also seeks to educate the public about this dark chapter in American history and honor the resilience of those who were unjustly detained at Amache.
If passed, the bill would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire the site and manage it as a unit of the National Park System. This would ensure that the site is properly maintained and that visitors have the opportunity to learn about the experiences of those who were held there. Overall, the Amache National Historic Site Act is a bipartisan effort to recognize and remember the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during World War II, and to ensure that future generations understand the importance of upholding civil liberties and protecting the rights of all individuals.
Congressional Summary of HR 2497
Amache National Historic Site Act
This bill establishes the Amache National Historic Site in Colorado as a unit of the National Park System to preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit of present and future generations resources associated with the incarceration of civilians of Japanese ancestry during World War II at Amache, also known as the Granada Relocation Center, and the military service of incarcerees at the Granada Relocation Center.
The National Historic Site shall not be established until the date on which the Department of the Interior determines that a sufficient quantity of land or interests in land has been acquired to constitute a manageable park unit.
After Interior makes such a determination, it shall publish in the Federal Register notice of the establishment of the historic site.
Interior may acquire only by donation any land or interests in land located within the boundary of the Camp Amache National Historic Landmark.
Any acquired lands or interests in land shall be included within the boundary of the historic site.
Interior must prepare a general management plan for the historic site.
Interior may enter into agreements with
- public or private entities to establish and operate facilities outside of the exterior boundary of the historic site for administration, visitor services, and curation of personal property; and
- other public or private entities to carry out this bill.
Interior shall provide the town of Granada, Colorado, with access to those areas of the historic site determined necessary for the operation and maintenance of water infrastructure and appurtenances.
Additionally, Interior may permit the town of Granada to construct or install new water infrastructure, systems, or appurtenances limited to the areas determined to be necessary.
Finally, Interior may accept, for addition to and administration as part of the historic site, the donation of water infrastructure, systems, or appurtenances within the boundary of the site (including associated water rights) if the water infrastructure, systems, or appurtenances are no longer used by the town of Granada.
