H.R. 2345

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2345 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

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.
<all>