---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 410ddd"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "410ddd"
heading: "New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/410ddd"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter LIX–BB — New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park"
---

# §410ddd. New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

- (a) **Findings and purposes—**
  - (1) **Findings—** The Congress finds that—
    - (A) the New Bedford National Historic Landmark District and associated historic sites as described in [subsection (c)(2)](#c-2), including the Schooner Ernestina, are National Historic Landmarks and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as historic sites associated with the history of whaling in the United States;
    - (B) the city of New Bedford was the 19th century capital of the world’s whaling industry and retains significant architectural features, archival materials, and museum collections illustrative of this period;
    - (C) New Bedford’s historic resources provide unique opportunities for illustrating and interpreting the whaling industry’s contribution to the economic, social, and environmental history of the United States and provide opportunities for public use and enjoyment; and[^1]
    - (D) during the nineteenth century, over two thousand whaling voyages sailed out of New Bedford to the Arctic region of Alaska, and joined [Alaska Natives](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) from Barrow, Alaska and other [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) in the Arctic region in subsistence whaling activities; and
    - (E) the National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) System presently contains no sites commemorating whaling and its contribution to American history.
  - (2) **Purposes—** The purposes of this section are—
    - (A) to help [preserve](/usc/16/698u–1.md?p=2), protect, and interpret the resources within the [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) described in [subsection (c)(2)](#c-2), including architecture, setting, and associated archival and museum collections;
    - (B) to collaborate with the city of New Bedford and with associated historical, cultural, and preservation organizations to further the purposes of the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) established under this section; and
    - (C) to provide opportunities for the inspirational benefit and education of the American people.
- (b) **Definitions—** For the purposes of this section—
  - (1) the term “[park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3)” means the New Bedford Whaling National Historical [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) established by [subsection (c)](#c); and
  - (2) the term “[Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1)” means the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior.
- (c) **New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park—**
  - (1) **Establishment—** In order to [preserve](/usc/16/698u–1.md?p=2) for the benefit and inspiration of the people of the United States as a national historical [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) certain districts, structures, and relics located in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and associated with the history of whaling and related social and economic themes in America, there is established the New Bedford Whaling National Historical [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3).
  - (2) **Boundaries—**
    - (A) The boundaries of the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) shall be those generally depicted on the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) numbered NAR–P49–80,000–4 and dated June 1994. Such [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) Service. In case of any conflict between the descriptions set forth in clauses [(i)](#c-2-A-i) through [(iv)](#c-2-A-iv) and such [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1), such [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) shall govern. The [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) shall include the following:
      - (i) The [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) included within the New Bedford Historic District (a National Landmark District), also known as the Bedford Landing Waterfront Historic District, as listed within the National Register of Historic Places and in the Massachusetts [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) Register of Historic Places.
      - (ii) The National Historic Landmark Schooner Ernestina, with its home port in New Bedford.
      - (iii) The land along the eastern boundary of the New Bedford National Historic Landmark District over the east side of MacArthur Drive from the Route 6 overpass on the north to an extension of School Street on the south.
      - (iv) The land north of Elm Street in New Bedford, bounded by Acushnet Avenue on the west, Route 6 (ramps) on the north, MacArthur Drive on the east, and Elm Street on the south.
    - (B) In [addition](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) to the sites, [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), and relics referred to in [subparagraph (A)](#c-2-A), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may assist in the interpretation and preservation of each of the following:
      - (i) The southwest corner of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) Pier.
      - (ii) Waterfront [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), immediately south of land adjacent to the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) Pier.
      - (iii) The Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum, located at 396 County Street.
      - (iv) The Wharfinger Building, located on Piers 3 and 4.
      - (v) The Bourne Counting House, located on Merrill’s Wharf.
- (d) **Related facilities—** To ensure that the contribution of [Alaska Natives](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) to the history of whaling in the United States is fully recognized, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall provide—
  - (1) financial and other assistance to establish links between the New Bedford Whaling National Historical [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) and the North Slope Borough Cultural Center, located in Barrow, Alaska; and
  - (2) appropriate assistance and funding for the North Slope Borough Cultural Center.
- (e) **Administration of park—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) shall be administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) in accordance with this section and the provisions of law generally applicable to [units](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of the National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) System, including the Act entitled “An Act to establish a National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) Service, and for other purposes”, approved August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; [16 U.S.C. 1](/usc/16/1.md), 2, 3, and 4)[^2] and the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; [16 U.S.C. 461–467](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(/us/usc/t16/s461–467))).[^2]
  - (2) **Cooperative agreements—**
    - (A) The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may consult and enter into cooperative agreements with interested entities and individuals to provide for the preservation, development, interpretation, and use of the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3).
    - (B) Any payment made by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) pursuant to a cooperative agreement under this paragraph shall be subject to an agreement that conversion, use, or disposal of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) so assisted for purposes contrary to the purposes of this section, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), shall result in a right of the United States to reimbursement of all funds made available to such [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) or the proportion of the increased value of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) attributable to such funds as determined at the time of such conversion, use, or disposal, whichever is greater.
  - (3) **Non-Federal matching requirements—**
    - (A) Funds authorized to be appropriated to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) for the purposes of—
      - (i) cooperative agreements under [paragraph (2)](#e-2) shall be expended in the ratio of one dollar of Federal funds for each four dollars of funds contributed by non-Federal sources; and
      - (ii) construction, restoration, and rehabilitation of visitors and interpretive facilities (other than annual operation and maintenance costs) shall be expended in the ratio of one dollar of Federal funds for each one dollar of funds contributed by non-Federal sources.
    - (B) For the purposes of this paragraph, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) is authorized to accept from non-Federal sources, and to utilize for purposes of this section, any money so contributed. With the approval of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), any donation of property, services, or goods from a non-Federal source may be considered as a contribution of funds from a non-Federal source for the purposes of this paragraph.
  - (4) **Acquisition of real property—** For the purposes of the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) only by donation such lands, interests in lands, and improvements thereon within the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) as are needed for essential visitor contact and interpretive facilities.
  - (5) **Other property, funds, and services—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may accept donated funds, property, and services to carry out this section.
- (f) **General management plan—** Not later than the end of the second fiscal year beginning after November 12, 1996, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall submit to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a general [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) for the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) and shall implement such plan as soon as practically possible. The plan shall be prepared in accordance with [section 100502 of title 54](/usc/54/100502.md) and other applicable law.
- (g) **Authorization of appropriations—**
  - (1) **In general—** Except as provided in [paragraph (2)](#g-2), there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out annual operations and maintenance with respect to the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) and to carry out the activities under [subsection (d)](#d).
  - (2) **Exceptions—** In carrying out this section—
    - (A) not more than $5,000,000 may be appropriated for construction, restoration, and rehabilitation of visitor and interpretive facilities, and directional and visitor orientation signage;
    - (B) none of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this section may be used for the operation or maintenance of the Schooner Ernestina; and
    - (C) not more than $50,000 annually of Federal funds may be used for interpretive and education programs for the Schooner Ernestina pursuant to cooperative agreements under [subsection (e)(2)](#e-2).

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. The word “and” probably should not appear.
[^2]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 104–333, div. I, title V, § 511, Nov. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 4159; Pub. L. 106–176, title I, § 111(a), Mar. 10, 2000, 114 Stat. 26; Pub. L. 108–7, div. F, title I, § 154, Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 246.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Act entitled “An Act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes”, approved August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1, 2, 3, and 4), referred to in subsec. (e)(1), is act Aug. 25, 1916, ch. 408, 39 Stat. 535, known as the National Park Service Organic Act, which enacted sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 100101 of Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs. Sections 1 to 4 of the Act were repealed and restated as section 1865(a) of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and section 100101(a), chapter 1003, and sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of Title 54 by Pub. L. 113–287, §§ 3, 4(a)(1), 7, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3094, 3260, 3272. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. For disposition of former sections of this title, see Disposition Table preceding section 100101 of Title 54.

The Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 461–467), referred to in subsec. (e)(1), is act Aug. 21, 1935, ch. 593, 49 Stat. 666, known as the Historic Sites Act of 1935 and also as the Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act, which enacted sections 461 to 467 of this title. The Act was repealed and restated as section 1866(a) of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and sections 102303 and 102304 and chapter 3201 of Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs, by Pub. L. 113–287, §§ 3, 4(a)(1), 7, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3094, 3260, 3272. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. For disposition of former sections of this title, see Disposition Table preceding section 100101 of Title 54.

### Codification

In subsec. (f), “section 100502 of title 54” substituted for “section 12(b) of the Act of August 18, 1970 (16 U.S.C. 1a–7(b))” on authority of Pub. L. 113–287, § 6(e), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3272, which Act enacted Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs.

### Amendments

2003—Subsec. (g)(2)(A). Pub. L. 108–7 substituted “$5,000,000” for “$2,000,000”.

2000—Pub. L. 106–176, § 111(a)(1), substituted “Whaling National Historical Park” for “National Historic Landmark District” in section catchline.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 106–176, § 111(a)(2)(A), substituted “certain districts, structures, and relics” for “certain districts structures, and relics”.

Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 106–176, § 111(a)(2)(B), substituted “The area included within the New Bedford Historic District (a National Landmark District), also known as the” for “The area included with the New Bedford National Historic Landmark District, known as the”.

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 106–176, § 111(a)(3), struck out “to provide” before “appropriate assistance”.

Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 106–176, § 111(a)(4), redesignated subsec. (e), relating to general management plan, as (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 106–176, § 111(a)(4), redesignated subsec. (f) as (g).

Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 106–176, § 111(a)(5)(A), substituted “subsection (d).” for “section 3(D).”

Subsec. (g)(2)(C). Pub. L. 106–176, § 111(a)(5)(B), substituted “cooperative agreements under subsection (e)(2)” for “cooperative grants under subsection (d)(2)”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

Committee on Resources of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Natural Resources of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.