Protect Greenbury Point Conservation Area Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6628
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-08T19:15:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Protect Greenbury Point Conservation Area Act" (H.R. 6628) aims to safeguard a natural conservation area on military property in Maryland by preventing the development of a golf course and preserving public access, while permitting limited restrictions for environmental cleanup efforts.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Golf Course Development: The Secretary of the Navy is barred from constructing a golf course at the Greenbury Point Conservation Area, located at Naval Support Activity Annapolis, Maryland.
- Limits on Public Access Restrictions: The Navy cannot modify or restrict public access to the area, except in specific cases.
- Exception for Environmental Restoration: Restrictions are allowed if they support environmental restoration (cleanup and habitat improvement) in line with current laws and regulations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Section 2855 of the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (part of Public Law 118-31), which previously only limited the Navy's authority to alter or limit public access to the area:
- Updates the section's title to explicitly prohibit golf course development, replacing the prior focus on general access limitations.
- Expands the prohibition language to include golf course construction alongside any modifications or restrictions on access.
- Adds a new exception in the law's subsection (b) for environmental restoration activities, which was not previously specified, while adjusting punctuation for clarity in the existing exceptions.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Navy, particularly at Naval Support Activity Annapolis, faces stricter limits on using the land for recreational developments like golf courses, potentially redirecting resources toward conservation and maintenance. This could influence military construction budgets and planning.
- On Citizens: Local residents and visitors in the Annapolis area retain or gain assured public access to the conservation area for recreation and nature enjoyment, supporting community outdoor activities without interference from new developments.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic military property management.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Navy and Department of Defense: Directly restricted in land use decisions at the Annapolis facility.
- Local Community and Public Users: Residents of Annapolis, Maryland, and nearby areas who rely on the conservation area for public access and environmental benefits.
- Environmental Groups and Conservation Advocates: Benefit from strengthened protections and the allowance for restoration work, potentially aiding habitat preservation efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Reinforces federal oversight of military land use under military construction laws, ensuring conservation priorities align with broader environmental regulations (e.g., those under the National Environmental Policy Act). The amendment clarifies exceptions to avoid conflicts with ongoing restoration projects.
- Constitutional Implications: None significant; the bill operates within Congress's authority to regulate military appropriations and property, without infringing on executive branch powers or individual rights.
- Political Implications: Highlights tensions between military operational needs and public/environmental interests on federal lands, potentially influencing future debates on base development and conservation in coastal military installations. As an introduced bill referred to the House Armed Services Committee, it reflects local advocacy for protecting natural resources near urban areas.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Protect Greenbury Point Conservation Area Act — issued 2025-12-11 — PDF (3 pages)