Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 1674
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-08: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T21:55:59Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to expand the boundaries of Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky by authorizing the acquisition of additional land, while also updating an existing funding limit to account for inflation. This supports the preservation and management of the park, a major natural and cultural site known for its extensive cave system.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is titled the "Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2025."
- Boundary Modification: Amends Section 11 of the Act of June 5, 1942 (which established the park), to:
- Adjust a pre-existing $350,000 funding cap (likely for land acquisition or park operations) by tying it to inflation, using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI measures changes in the cost of living over time.
- Grant the Secretary of the Interior authority to acquire approximately 551.14 acres of land (and any related property interests) in Edmonson and Barren Counties, Kentucky. This land is shown as the "Proposed Addition" on a specific map (titled "Mammoth Cave National Park Proposed Southern Boundary Expansion," numbered 135/177,967, dated May 2025). Once acquired, this land would be incorporated into the national park.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Inflation Adjustment: Introduces an automatic update to the 1942 law's fixed $350,000 amount, ensuring its value keeps pace with rising costs, which was not previously specified.
- New Acquisition Authority: Adds explicit permission for the federal government to purchase or otherwise obtain a defined parcel of land for park expansion, which expands the park's protected area beyond its original boundaries established in 1941 and modified over time.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The National Park Service (NPS), under the Department of the Interior, would gain responsibility for managing the new land, potentially increasing operational costs (offset by the inflation adjustment). This could enhance resource allocation for conservation and visitor services.
- Citizens: Kentucky residents and park visitors may benefit from expanded recreational opportunities, such as hiking, caving, and wildlife viewing, while promoting environmental protection in the region. Local economies in Edmonson and Barren Counties could see boosts from tourism, but landowners might face changes if their property is acquired.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic land management.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government: Department of the Interior and NPS, responsible for acquisition and park administration.
- Local Communities and Landowners: Residents and property owners in Edmonson and Barren Counties, Kentucky, who may sell land or experience boundary changes.
- Environmental and Conservation Groups: Organizations focused on preserving natural sites, such as the Mammoth Cave system (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), which could support the expansion.
- Tourists and Recreation Users: Visitors to the park, who gain access to more protected areas.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill uses standard federal authority under the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 3), allowing Congress to manage federal lands for public benefit. Acquisition could involve voluntary purchase, donation, or eminent domain (government taking private property for public use with compensation), but the text emphasizes "acquire" without specifying methods.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it aligns with Congress's power to regulate national parks and protect natural resources.
- Political: Represents a bipartisan effort to maintain and grow the national park system, potentially strengthening conservation priorities in Kentucky. It may set a precedent for inflation adjustments in older environmental laws, making them more practical for modern implementation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-08: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-05-08: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-08 — PDF (2 pages)