H.R. 986

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act to expand the boundary of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in the State of Vermont, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · February 5, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Balint · Committee: Committee on Natural Resources

Table of contents

• H.R. 986
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Boundary expansion
  • SEC. 3. Acquisition of land
  • SEC. 4. Scenic zone
  • SEC. 5. National Park Service Stewardship Institute

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act Amendments Act of 2025.

SEC. 2. Boundary expansion

• Section 3 of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act () is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: 16 U.S.C. 410vv–1
  • (b) Boundaries; map
    • (1) Boundaries
      • (A) In general
        • The boundaries of the park shall be as generally depicted on the map entitled , numbered 456/190,048, and dated August 2023. Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Proposed Boundary Revision
      • (B) Inclusions
        • The park shall include the following:
          • (i) A historic zone, including—
          • the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion;
          • surrounding buildings; and
          • a portion of the area known as . Mt. Tom
          • (ii) A protection zone, including the area occupied by the Billings Farm and Museum.
          • (iii) The King Farm, which shall be divided between the historic zone described in clause (i) and the protection zone described in clause (ii), as determined by the Secretary to be appropriate.
    • (2) Availability of map
      • The map described in paragraph (1)(A) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

SEC. 3. Acquisition of land

• Section 4 of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act () is amended— 16 U.S.C. 410vv–2
  • in subsection (b)—
    • (1) In general
      • The Secretary may acquire land or an interest in land within the boundary of the park by—
        • donation;
        • purchase from a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds;
        • transfer from a Federal agency; or
        • exchange.
    • (2) King Farm
      • Acquisition by the Secretary of the land described in section 3(b)(1)(B)(iii) shall include—
        • a right of access from the land acquired to the park; and
        • a right of access to the land acquired from the park.
    • by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the following:
    • in paragraph (3), by striking and inserting the following:
      • (3) Commercial operation
        • The Secretary
    • (e) King farm
      • On acquisition by the Secretary of the land described in section 3(b)(1)(B)(iii), the acquired land may be used for—
        • agricultural and forestry purposes, including the growing and harvesting of crops and trees, animal husbandry, and other agricultural operations customary in the State of Vermont;
        • conservation purposes in a manner that preserves the historic character of a working farm and forest; and
        • educational purposes relating to agriculture, forestry, and conservation activities, including the study of natural history.
  • by adding at the end the following:

SEC. 4. Scenic zone

• Section 5(a) of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act () is amended by striking and inserting . 16 U.S.C. 410vv–3(a)

SEC. 5. National Park Service Stewardship Institute

• The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act () is amended— 16 U.S.C. 410vv et seq.
  • by redesignating sections 6 through 10 as sections 7 through 11, respectively; and
    • (a) In general
      • There is established at the park the National Park Service Stewardship Institute (referred to in this Act as the ).
    • (b) Purposes
      • The purposes of the Institute are—
        • to highlight and encourage the advancement of stewardship practices through workshops, public programs, learning opportunities, and similar programming;
        • to create opportunities within the National Park Service to identify and share innovation through research, evaluation, and dialogue; and
        • to identify and exchange best practices and enhance leadership capacity, partnership development, and community engagement in the fields of conservation and resource stewardship.
    • (c) Administration
      • The Institute shall be managed as a program of the park.
  • by inserting after section 5 the following: