Gateway Arch National Park Boundary Revision Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
- Committees
- Energy and Natural Resources Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 16, 2026
Bottom line
This bill makes a minor technical adjustment to the authorized acreage and official map for Gateway Arch National Park, along with a formal name update in the underlying statute.
What it actually does
This bill amends the Act of May 17, 1954, which established the Gateway Arch National Park (formerly Jefferson National Expansion Memorial). It formally updates the park's name within the statute and revises the authorized boundary, increasing the park's acreage from 100 acres to 102.18 acres. The bill also updates the reference map for the park's boundary to a newer version dated August 2023.
Proponents argue
Supporters would argue this bill provides a necessary technical update to accurately reflect the current or intended boundaries of Gateway Arch National Park, ensuring proper management and preservation of the site. They would emphasize that such adjustments are common for national parks to incorporate small, adjacent parcels for improved visitor access, resource protection, or operational efficiency, and that the name update harmonizes the statute with the park's official designation.
Opponents contend
Given the minor nature of the boundary adjustment and the formal name update, direct opposition to this specific bill is unlikely. Potential concerns, if any, might revolve around the specific parcels being added, such as their current use or ownership, or the process of acquisition, but the bill text itself does not provide details to fuel such arguments.
The bill is exceptionally short and clear, allowing for quick comprehension by any interested reader.
Section 2
Gateway Arch National Park Boundary Revision and Name Update
This section amends the original 1954 Act that established the park. It formally changes the name reference in the statute from "Jefferson National Expansion Memorial" to "Gateway Arch National Park," reflecting the current official name. More significantly, it increases the authorized acreage for the park from 100 acres to 102.18 acres and updates the reference map to a newer version dated August 2023. This allows for the inclusion of a small additional parcel of land into the park's official boundary.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this revision ensures the park's statutory boundary accurately reflects its operational needs and current management plans, potentially allowing for the inclusion of critical adjacent lands for visitor services, resource protection, or interpretive programming. The name update also harmonizes the statute with the park's official designation.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against minor technical boundary adjustments for national parks, especially when they are small. Any potential opposition would likely be localized and specific to the particular parcel of land being added, such as concerns over property rights or local land use, but such details are not in the bill text.
Tradeoffs
The primary tension, if any, would be between the federal interest in expanding a national park for public benefit and any private property rights or local development interests associated with the specific 2.18 acres. However, such minor adjustments are often made with local consensus or through established land acquisition processes.