Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve

Summary#

This bill renames the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and creates the Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve. The Secretary of the Interior may acquire land shown on a specified map for the park and for the preserve by purchase from willing sellers, donation, or exchange. The bill does not authorize use of eminent domain. The park and preserve will be administered together as a single unit of the National Park System and managed under applicable federal law. The Secretary must develop a general management plan within 3 years in consultation with an advisory council. The plan must include protection and interpretation of cultural resources, including burial grounds and sites sacred to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and an inventory of cultural landscapes.

The bill requires the Secretary to allow hunting in the preserve and fishing in park and preserve waters in accordance with federal and state law, with the ability to set zones or seasons for safety or management. The Secretary must establish hiring policies that give preference to members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation consistent with existing Indian preference policy. An advisory council of seven members (including Tribal representatives, federal and state representatives, and a regional representative) will advise on the management plan and Tribal interests. The bill places about 126 acres owned in fee by the Tribe into trust for the Tribe, making that land part of the Tribe's Indian country. The bill authorizes such sums as are necessary to carry out its provisions.

What it means for you#

• Visitors: The site will be managed as a combined national park and preserve with a management plan to preserve cultural and natural resources.
• Local landowners: New land may be added only by willing sale, donation, or exchange; eminent domain is not authorized.
• Hunters and anglers: Hunting is allowed in the preserve and fishing is allowed in park and preserve waters under applicable federal and state laws; the Secretary can set restricted zones or seasons.
• Tribal members: The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is explicitly named in the bill; tribal members are to have hiring preference for park positions, access to sacred sites, and tribal land (about 126 acres) is taken into trust.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on a total cost estimate is included in the bill text. The bill authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to carry out the Act.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text about proponents' statements or detailed arguments. Sponsors listed in the provided metadata are Senator Jon Ossoff and Senator Raphael Warnock.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text or provided metadata describing opposition or opponents' statements.