Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1131
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-09: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-24T12:48:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to redesignate the existing Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park in Georgia as a national park, establish an adjacent national preserve, and promote the preservation, interpretation, and management of cultural, natural, and historical resources in the area, with a strong emphasis on collaboration with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation (referred to as the "Tribe").
Key Provisions
- Redesignation and Land Acquisition:
- Redesignates the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as the "Ocmulgee Mounds National Park."
- Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land or interests in land (e.g., through purchase from willing sellers, donation, or exchange) within specified areas shown on a designated map, but prohibits the use of eminent domain (forced government seizure of private property).
- Establishes the "Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve" once sufficient land is acquired to form a manageable unit, with boundaries based on acquired lands.
- Administration and Management:
- Treats the park and preserve as a single unit of the National Park System, governed by general national park laws.
- Requires a general management plan within three years, developed in consultation with an advisory council, focusing on preserving cultural resources (e.g., burial grounds and sacred sites), interpreting history, and inventorying cultural landscapes (e.g., plants and natural features significant to the Tribe).
- Permits hunting and fishing in the preserve and park waters, subject to federal and state laws, with possible restrictions for safety or management reasons; private lands remain unaffected.
- Provides hiring preference for Tribe members in park positions, following existing federal Indian preference policies.
- Ensures protection of sacred and cultural sites, allowing access for Tribes with ancestral ties, in line with the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (a law protecting Native American religious practices).
- Allows military overflights and flight training without restriction.
- Advisory Council:
- Creates a seven-member Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Advisory Council, including representatives from the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Tribe (three members), Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and a local regional commission.
- The council advises on the management plan and provides recommendations on incorporating Tribal interests in land, species, and cultural resource management; it meets at least twice a year and operates under federal advisory committee rules (without compensation for members).
- Tribal Land Trust:
- Places approximately 126 acres of land already owned by the Tribe into federal trust (meaning the U.S. government holds legal title for the Tribe's benefit), making it part of the Tribe's Indian country (lands under tribal jurisdiction) and subject to laws for trust properties.
- Other Provisions:
- No impact on the nearby Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, except for optional cultural interpretation programs in consultation with the Tribe.
- Maintains ongoing tribal consultations under Executive Order 13175 (a policy requiring federal agencies to consult with tribes on policies affecting them).
- Authorizes necessary funding to implement the act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Upgrades the status of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park (established under prior law) to a full national park, which typically implies stronger federal protection and resources for preservation.
- Introduces a new national preserve adjacent to the park, allowing continued hunting and fishing (unlike stricter national parks), to balance conservation with public recreation.
- Mandates enhanced tribal involvement through the advisory council and hiring preferences, building on but expanding existing federal policies for Native American consultation and sacred site protection.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The National Park Service will gain administrative responsibilities for a larger, unified area, requiring new management planning and coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state agencies; increased funding may be needed for land acquisition and operations.
- Citizens: Enhances public access to historical and natural sites for education and recreation, including hunting and fishing opportunities in the preserve; local communities in Georgia may see economic benefits from tourism.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic conservation and tribal affairs.
- Overall, it could boost cultural tourism and preservation efforts in central Georgia while respecting private property rights through voluntary acquisitions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation: Primary beneficiary through trust land status, advisory council representation, hiring preferences, site protections, and input on management.
- U.S. Department of the Interior (National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service): Responsible for implementation, land management, and consultations.
- State of Georgia (Department of Natural Resources): Involved in advisory council, hunting/fishing regulations, and coordination on wildlife.
- Local Entities: Middle Georgia Regional Commission provides input; private landowners may sell or donate property voluntarily.
- General Public and Visitors: Affected by expanded park access, recreational opportunities, and interpretive programs on Native American history.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces federal trust responsibilities to tribes under laws like the Indian Reorganization Act (which supports tribal self-governance) and the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, ensuring sacred sites are protected without infringing on free exercise of religion (a First Amendment right). The prohibition on eminent domain upholds Fifth Amendment property protections (requiring just compensation for takings).
- Constitutional: Aligns with federal-tribal relations under the Constitution's Indian Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8), which gives Congress authority over Native American affairs; promotes consultation to avoid sovereignty conflicts.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan support for cultural preservation and tribal partnerships (introduced by Georgia senators), potentially setting a model for co-management of public lands with indigenous groups; could influence future conservation bills by emphasizing voluntary land deals and recreational allowances in preserves.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-09: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
- 2025-03-25: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-03-25: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act — issued 2025-03-25 — PDF (13 pages)