[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2345 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2345
To establish the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve in the
State of Georgia, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 25, 2025
Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Bishop, Mr. Carter of
Georgia, Mrs. McBath, Mr. McCormick, Mr. David Scott of Georgia, Ms.
Williams of Georgia, Mr. Allen, Mr. Loudermilk, Mr. Jack, Mr. Johnson
of Georgia, Ms. Greene of Georgia, and Mr. Collins) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve in the
State of Georgia, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and
Preserve Establishment Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Advisory council.--The term ``Advisory Council'' means
the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Advisory Council
established under section 5(a).
(2) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled
``Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Proposed
Boundary'', numbered 363/193026, and dated September 2024.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Georgia.
(5) Tribe.--The term ``Tribe'' means the Muscogee (Creek)
Nation.
SEC. 3. REDESIGNATION OF OCMULGEE MOUNDS NATIONAL PARK AND
ESTABLISHMENT OF OCMULGEE MOUNDS NATIONAL PRESERVE.
(a) Redesignation of Ocmulgee Mounds National Park; Land
Acquisition.--
(1) In general.--The Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical
Park designated by section 2102(b)(1)(A) of the John D.
Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (16
U.S.C. 410yyy-3(b)(1)(A)) shall be known and designated as the
``Ocmulgee Mounds National Park''.
(2) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
``Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park'' shall be
considered to be a reference to the ``Ocmulgee Mounds National
Park''.
(3) Land acquisition for ocmulgee mounds national park.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary may acquire land or
any interest in land within the area depicted as
``National Park Area'' on the Map for inclusion in the
Ocmulgee Mounds National Park by purchase from a
willing seller, donation, or exchange.
(B) Administration.--Any land or interest in land
acquired under subparagraph (A) shall be--
(i) incorporated into the Ocmulgee Mounds
National Park; and
(ii) administered by the Secretary in
accordance with section 4.
(C) Prohibition on use of eminent domain.--Nothing
in this paragraph authorizes the use of eminent domain
to acquire land or an interest in land.
(b) Establishment of Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve.--
(1) In general.--Effective on the date on which the
Secretary publishes in the Federal Register a notice that the
Secretary has determined that sufficient land within the area
depicted as ``National Preserve Area'' on the Map has been
acquired under paragraph (2) to constitute a manageable unit,
there is established the Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve in
the State as a unit of the National Park System.
(2) Land acquisition for ocmulgee mounds national
preserve.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary may acquire land or
any interest in land within the area depicted as
``National Preserve Area'' on the Map for inclusion in
the Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve by purchase from
a willing seller, donation, or exchange.
(B) Administration.--Any land or interest in land
acquired under subparagraph (A) shall be--
(i) incorporated into the Ocmulgee Mounds
National Preserve; and
(ii) administered by the Secretary in
accordance with section 4.
(C) Prohibition on use of eminent domain.--Nothing
in this paragraph authorizes the use of eminent domain
to acquire land or an interest in land.
(3) Boundaries.--The boundaries of the Ocmulgee Mounds
National Preserve shall reflect the land and interests in land
acquired for the Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve under
paragraph (2)(A).
(c) Map.--
(1) Corrections.--The Secretary may make technical
corrections to the Map.
(2) Availability.--The Map shall be on file and available
for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the
National Park Service.
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF OCMULGEE MOUNDS NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE.
(a) In General.--The Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and the Ocmulgee
Mounds National Preserve shall--
(1) be administered as a single unit of the National Park
System in accordance with--
(A) this section;
(B) the laws generally applicable to units of the
National Park System, including--
(i) section 100101(a), chapter 1003, and
sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101
of title 54, United States Code; and
(ii) chapter 3201 of title 54, United
States Code; and
(C) any management plan developed under subsection
(b); and
(2) collectively be known and designated as the ``Ocmulgee
Mounds National Park and Preserve''.
(b) Management Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the
Advisory Council, shall develop a general management plan for
the preservation and use of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park
and Preserve in accordance with section 100502 of title 54,
United States Code.
(2) Cultural resources and landscapes.--The general
management plan developed under paragraph (1) shall provide
for--
(A) the interpretation and preservation of cultural
resources of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and
Preserve, including burial grounds and other sites that
are sacred to the Tribe; and
(B) an inventory of important cultural landscapes,
including flora, that should be preserved, managed,
developed, and maintained because of the cultural,
natural, and public use significance of the cultural
landscapes, including to the Tribe.
(c) Hunting and Fishing.--
(1) Hunting.--The Secretary shall allow hunting on land
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary within the boundaries
of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve in accordance with
applicable Federal and State laws.
(2) Fishing.--The Secretary shall allow fishing on waters
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary within the boundaries
of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve in accordance
with applicable Federal and State laws.
(3) Limitation.--The Secretary may designate zones in
which, and establish periods during which, no hunting, fishing,
or both, shall be allowed for reasons of public safety,
administration, fish or wildlife management, or emergencies.
(4) Consultation.--The Secretary shall ensure any
regulations prescribing such restrictions under this subsection
shall be put into effect only after consultation with the
State.
(5) Private land.--Nothing in this subsection prohibits
hunting, fishing, or trapping on private land in accordance
with applicable State and Federal laws.
(6) Congressional intent.--Nothing in this Act is intended
to affect the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the State
with respect to fish and wildlife.
(d) Hiring Preference.--The Secretary shall establish policies to
provide a preference for hiring members of the Tribe for positions at
the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve, consistent with the
Indian preference policy established by the Secretary of the Interior
under section 12 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (commonly known as the
``Indian Reorganization Act'') (48 Stat. 986, chapter 576; 25 U.S.C.
5116).
(e) Effect on Administration of Bond Swamp National Wildlife
Refuge.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
nothing in this Act affects the continued administration of the
Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge by the Director of the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service as a unit of the
National Wildlife Refuge System.
(2) Cultural interpretation activities.--The Director of
the National Park Service shall consult with the Tribe to
provide cultural programs and related activities with respect
to the Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge with the consent of
the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(f) Tribal Consultation.--Nothing in this Act prevents continued
consultation with federally recognized Indian Tribes pursuant to
Executive Order 13175 (25 U.S.C. 5301 note; relating to consultation
and coordination with Indian Tribal governments).
(g) Military Overflights.--Nothing in this Act precludes--
(1) low-level overflights of military aircraft over the
Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve;
(2) the designation of new units of special use airspace
over the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve; or
(3) the use or establishment of military flight training
routes over the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve.
(h) Sacred and Cultural Sites.--The Secretary shall ensure the
protection of sacred sites and cultural sites within the Ocmulgee
Mounds National Park and Preserve and provide access to the sites by
members of Indian Tribes who have ancestral connections to the Ocmulgee
River Corridor, in accordance with Public Law 95-341 (commonly known as
the ``American Indian Religious Freedom Act'') (42 U.S.C. 1996 et seq.)
and Executive Order 13007 (42 U.S.C. 1996 note; relating to Indian
sacred sites).
SEC. 5. ADVISORY COUNCIL.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an advisory
council, to be known as the ``Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and
Preserve Advisory Council''.
(b) Duties.--The Advisory Council shall--
(1) advise the Secretary with respect to the development
and implementation of the management plan for the Ocmulgee
Mounds National Park and Preserve; and
(2) not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, submit to the Secretary recommendations regarding how
the Secretary would consider and accommodate Tribal interests
in the management of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and
Preserve, including recommendations regarding how the Secretary
and the Tribe may collaborate with respect to land management,
species management, and the interpretation of cultural
resources and resources of the Tribe at the Ocmulgee Mounds
National Park and Preserve.
(c) Members.--The Advisory Council shall consist of 7 members, to
be appointed by the Secretary, as follows:
(1) 1 member, who shall be a representative of the
applicable National Park Service office.
(2) 1 member, who shall be a representative of the
applicable United States Fish and Wildlife Service office.
(3) 3 members, who shall be representatives of the Tribe.
(4) 1 member, who shall be a representative of the State
Department of Natural Resources.
(5) 1 member, who shall be appointed after considering
recommendations from the Middle Georgia Regional Commission.
(d) Applicable Law.--The Advisory Council shall be subject to
chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the
``Federal Advisory Committee Act'') (other than section 1013 of that
title), and other applicable laws.
(e) Vacancy.--A vacancy on the Advisory Council shall be filled in
the same manner as the original appointment.
(f) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Advisory Council
(including not fewer than 1 member who is a designated representative
of the Tribe) shall constitute a quorum.
(g) Frequency of Meetings.--The Advisory Council shall meet 2 times
per year, or more often as the Chairperson of the Advisory Council
determines to be appropriate.
(h) Chairperson.--The Advisory Council shall--
(1) elect a chairperson of the Advisory Council from among
the members of the Advisory Council; and
(2) establish any rules and procedures for the Advisory
Council that the Advisory Council determines to be appropriate.
(i) No Compensation.--Members of the Advisory Council shall serve
without compensation.
SEC. 6. LAND TO BE HELD IN TRUST.
All right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the
approximately 126 acres of land owned in fee by the Tribe are hereby
taken into trust for the benefit of the Tribe. Such land--
(1) is part of Indian country (as defined in section 1151
of title 18, United States Code) of the Tribe; and
(2) shall be administered in accordance with the laws and
regulations generally applicable to property held in trust by
the United States for the benefit of an Indian Tribe.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary
to carry out this Act.
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