Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
- Committees
- Energy and Natural Resources Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Dec 9, 2025
Bottom line
This bill expands and renames a national park unit in Georgia, creating a new national preserve, and places tribal land into trust, aiming to enhance conservation, cultural preservation, and recreational opportunities while strengthening tribal co-management.
What it actually does
This bill redesignates the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and establishes the Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve, combining them into a single unit of the National Park System in Georgia. It authorizes the acquisition of additional land from willing sellers for both the park and preserve and mandates that approximately 126 acres of land owned by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation be taken into trust by the United States for the Tribe's benefit.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue the bill will protect culturally significant sites, enhance public access to natural and historical resources, boost local tourism, and honor the ancestral ties of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation by facilitating their involvement in land management and placing their land into trust.
Opponents contend
No direct opposition is explicitly stated in the bill text or commonly associated with such conservation efforts. Potential concerns, if any, might revolve around federal land acquisition impacting local tax bases or restrictions on private land use, though the bill specifies willing sellers and prohibits eminent domain.
The bill is relatively short and clearly structured, making it accessible for a reader to understand its core provisions within a reasonable timeframe.
Section 3(a)
Redesignation of Ocmulgee Mounds National Park
This provision renames the existing Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park to the "Ocmulgee Mounds National Park." It also authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire additional land within a specified "National Park Area" from willing sellers for inclusion in the park, explicitly prohibiting the use of eminent domain.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this redesignation elevates the status of the site, reflecting its national significance and potentially attracting more resources and visitors, while allowing for strategic land expansion.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against park redesignations that expand conservation, especially when land acquisition is voluntary.
Tradeoffs
Balances the desire for expanded conservation and recognition with respecting private property rights through willing seller provisions.
Section 3(b)
Establishment of Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve
This section establishes the Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve as a new unit of the National Park System, effective once sufficient land within the "National Preserve Area" is acquired. It authorizes the Secretary to acquire land from willing sellers for the preserve, explicitly prohibiting eminent domain.
Section 4(a), (b)
Unified Administration and Management Plan
The bill mandates that the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve be administered as a single unit of the National Park System. It requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Council, to develop a general management plan within three years, specifically addressing the interpretation and preservation of cultural resources, including sacred sites and an inventory of important cultural landscapes.
Section 4(c)
Hunting and Fishing Regulations
This provision explicitly allows hunting within the National Preserve Area and fishing within both the National Park and Preserve areas, in accordance with Federal and State laws. It grants the Secretary authority to designate zones or periods for restrictions for safety, administration, or wildlife management, but only after consultation with the State.
Section 4(d)
Tribal Hiring Preference
The Secretary is directed to establish policies providing a hiring preference for members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation for positions at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve, consistent with the Indian preference policy under the Indian Reorganization Act.
Section 5
Establishment of Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Advisory Council
This section establishes a 7-member Advisory Council, including representatives from the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Muscogee (Creek) Nation (3 members), Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and a representative from the Middle Georgia Regional Commission. The Council will advise the Secretary on the management plan and provide recommendations on accommodating Tribal interests and collaboration.
Section 6
Tribal Land into Trust
This provision mandates that approximately 126 acres of land currently owned in fee by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation are taken into trust by the United States for the benefit of the Tribe. This land will become part of Indian country and be administered under laws applicable to property held in trust for Indian Tribes.
Directs the Director of the National Park Service to 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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Section 4(e)(2)
Why it matters:Likely standard legislative practice to clarify jurisdiction while enabling specific collaborative activities between federal agencies and the Tribe.
Case for: Supporters argue this ensures a holistic approach to cultural interpretation across adjacent federal lands, recognizing the broader ancestral landscape of the Tribe, and promoting inter-agency cooperation.
Case against: No specific case against, as it's a collaborative and consensual activity.
Estimated impact: Minor administrative impact, but significant for cultural recognition and interpretation.
Explicitly states that nothing in the Act precludes low-level military overflights, designation of new special use airspace, or use/establishment of military flight training routes over the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve.
Section 4(g)
Why it matters:Standard legislative practice to ensure the bill does not inadvertently interfere with existing or future military operations, particularly in areas where military training routes might overlap.
Case for: Ensures national security interests are not compromised by the establishment of the park and preserve, maintaining operational flexibility for the military.
Case against: Environmental or quiet-use advocates might argue that military overflights could detract from the visitor experience or impact wildlife, though this is a common compromise in such legislation.
Estimated impact: Maintains status quo for military operations; potential for noise or visual impacts on park/preserve experience.