Monuments Protection Act

public land in the United States is managed and administered for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations;

the National Park System (including National Parks, National Monuments, and National Recreation Areas) is managed for the benefit and inspiration of all the people of the United States;

the National Wildlife Refuge System is administered for the benefit of present and future generations of people in the United States, with priority consideration for compatible wildlife-dependent general public uses of the National Wildlife Refuge System;

the National Forest System is dedicated to the long-term benefit of present and future generations;

the reopening and temporary operation and management of public land, the National Park System, the National Wildlife Refuge System, and the National Forest System using funds from States and political subdivisions of States during periods in which the Federal Government is unable to operate and manage the areas at normal levels due to a lapse in appropriations is consistent with the values and purposes for which those areas were established;

any restriction of public access to national monuments, the National Park System, or the National Wildlife Refuge System during a lapse in appropriations, when such restriction is not necessary to comply with budgetary constraints and when an agency has not taken steps to mitigate restrictions on public access, shall be considered a direct violation of the purpose for which these lands and monuments were established and entrusted to Federal agencies for management; and

Federal agencies that serve as the management agency of national monuments, the National Park System, or the National Wildlife Refuge System have been entrusted with such properties to maintain and prioritize public access, including during a lapse in appropriations.

Covered unit— The term covered unit means—

Public land— The term public lands has the meaning given that term in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702).

Secretary— The term Secretary means—

Eligible entity— The term eligible entity means the several States, the District of Columbia, federally recognized Indian tribes, and territories and possessions of the United States, and political subdivisions thereof.

In general— Not later than 6 months after an eligible entity offers to enter into an agreement under this section, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with that eligible entity under which the eligible entity shall assume, in whole or in part, activities to resume or continue operations and public access to any covered unit during any period when those activities would not otherwise be carried out because there is—

Conditions— Agreements entered into under this section—

Copies of agreements— A copy of each agreement entered into under this section shall be—

Reimbursement— To the extent that funds are made available, through Acts of appropriation or otherwise, for activities carried out by an eligible entity under an agreement entered into under this section, the Secretary shall reimburse the eligible entity for costs expended by the eligible entity to carry out those activities.

that an offer was made;

what eligible entity made the offer;

what the offer entailed; and

why the Secretary did not enter into an agreement pursuant to that offer.