Sponsors (13)
The bill strengthens protection of Ocmulgee’s cultural and natural resources and increases tribal roles and local economic opportunities by creating a new National Park and Preserve, but it raises federal/taxpayer costs and imposes limits and governance changes that reduce some local flexibility and affect nearby landowners and jurisdictions.
Many Americans (visitors and nearby communities) will benefit from establishment of the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve, which protects cultural and natural resources and creates long‑term conservation stewardship.
Members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation gain concrete decision-making roles, protected access to sacred/cultural sites, and hiring preference for park jobs, strengthening tribal rights, cultural preservation, and local employment opportunities.
The Tribe gains sovereign control of a specific 126‑acre parcel placed into trust, expanding tribal jurisdiction and self-governance over that land.
Taxpayers and the federal budget face higher ongoing costs for land acquisition, planning, preservation, staffing, and operations associated with creating and managing the new park and preserve unit.
Private landowners near the park/preserve could face limits on future land uses and potential impacts when selling to the NPS, reducing some property options and creating local economic effects.
Fixing an official boundary map and formal definitions in statute could impede future boundary adjustments or new arrangements without additional legislation or administrative action, reducing flexibility for changing local needs.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Introduced March 25, 2025 by Austin Scott · Last progress March 25, 2025
Creates a combined Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and a new Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve, allows the Interior Secretary to acquire land for those units from willing sellers (but not by eminent domain), and requires a general management plan developed with a new advisory council and Tribal consultation. Transfers about 126 acres of tribal-owned fee land into federal trust for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and authorizes such sums as necessary to implement the Act, with a management plan due within three years and the preserve established once enough land is acquired.