USC Chapter 11

20 U.S.C. § 191 Establishment; site; acquisition of land

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized and directed to establish and maintain a national arboretum for purposes of research and education concerning tree and plant life. For the purposes of this chapter, (1) the President is authorized to transfer to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture by Executive order any land which now belongs to the United States within or adjacent to the District of Columbia located along the Anacostia River north of Benning Bridge, and (2) the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized in his discretion to acquire, within the limits of the appropriation authorized by this chapter by private purchase, condemnation proceedings, or gift, land so located or other land within or adjacent to the District of Columbia: Provided, That the purchase price of any part of said land shall not exceed the full value assessment of such property last made before purchase thereof plus 25 per centum of such assessed value.

20 U.S.C. § 193 Administration of arboretum

In order to stimulate research and discovery the national arboretum established by the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be under competent scientific direction. The arboretum shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture separately from the agricultural, horticultural, and forestry stations of the Department of Agriculture, but it shall be so correlated with them as to bring about the most effective utilization of its facilities and discoveries.

20 U.S.C. § 194 Advisory council

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to create an advisory council in relation to the plan and development of the national arboretum to be established under this chapter, to include representatives of national organizations interested in the work of the arboretum.

20 U.S.C. § 195 Gifts, bequests, or devises for benefit of National Arboretum; separate fund in the Treasury

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to solicit, accept, receive, hold, utilize, and administer on behalf of the United States gifts, bequests, or devises of real and personal property made for the benefit of the National Arboretum or for the carrying out of any of its functions. For the purposes of the Federal income, estate, and gift tax laws, property accepted under the authority of this section shall be considered as a gift, bequest, or devise to the United States. Any gift of money accepted pursuant to the authority granted in this section, or the net proceeds from the liquidation of any property so accepted, or the proceeds of any insurance on any gift property not used for its restoration shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States for credit to a separate fund and shall be disbursed upon order of the Secretary of Agriculture.

20 U.S.C. § 196 Concessions, fees, and voluntary services

(a) In generalNotwithstanding chapters 1 to 11 and section 1302 of title 40 and division C (except sections 3302, 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41, the Secretary of Agriculture, in furtherance of the mission of the National Arboretum, may—(1) negotiate concessions and agreements for the National Arboretum with nonprofit scientific or educational organizations, the interests of which are complementary to the mission of the National Arboretum, or nonprofit organizations that support the purpose of the National Arboretum, except that the net proceeds of the organizations from the concessions or agreements, as applicable, shall be used exclusively for—(A) the research and educational work for the benefit of the National Arboretum; and (B) the operation and maintenance of the facilities of the National Arboretum, including enhancements, upgrades, restoration, and conservation; (2) provide by concession, on such terms as the Secretary of Agriculture considers appropriate and necessary, for commercial services for food, drink, and nursery sales, if an agreement for a permanent concession under this paragraph is negotiated with a qualified person submitting a proposal after due consideration of all proposals received after the Secretary of Agriculture provides reasonable public notice of the intent of the Secretary to enter into such an agreement; (3) dispose of excess property, including excess plants and fish, in a manner designed to maximize revenue from any sale of the property, including by way of public auction, except that this paragraph shall not apply to the free dissemination of new varieties of seeds and germ plasm in accordance with section 2201 of title 7; (4) charge such fees as the Secretary of Agriculture considers reasonable for temporary use by individuals or groups of National Arboretum facilities and grounds for any purpose consistent with the mission of the National Arboretum; (5) charge such fees as the Secretary of Agriculture considers reasonable for the use of the National Arboretum for commercial photography or cinematography; (6) publish, in print and electronically and without regard to laws relating to printing by the Federal Government, informational brochures, books, and other publications concerning the National Arboretum or the collections of the Arboretum; and (7) license use of the National Arboretum name and logo for public service or commercial uses. (b) Use of fundsAny funds received or collected by the Secretary of Agriculture as a result of activities described in subsection (a) shall be retained in a special fund in the Treasury. Amounts in the special fund shall be available to the Secretary of Agriculture, without further appropriation, for the use and benefit of the National Arboretum as the Secretary of Agriculture considers appropriate. (c) Acceptance of voluntary servicesThe Secretary of Agriculture may accept the voluntary services of organizations described in subsection (a)(1), and the voluntary services of individuals (including employees of the National Arboretum), for the benefit of the National Arboretum. (d) Recognition of donorsA nonprofit organization that entered into a concession or agreement under subsection (a)(1) may recognize donors if that recognition is approved in advance by the Secretary of Agriculture. In considering whether to approve such recognition, the Secretary shall broadly exercise the discretion of the Secretary to the fullest extent allowed under Federal law.

20 U.S.C. § 197 Construction of Chinese Garden at the National Arboretum

A Chinese Garden may be constructed at the National Arboretum established under this chapter with— (1) funds accepted under section 195 of this title; (2) authorities provided to the Secretary of Agriculture under section 196 of this title; and (3) appropriations provided for this purpose.