Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act
Sponsored By: Representative Scott, Austin
Introduced
Summary
Redesignates Ocmulgee Mounds as a National Park and establishes an adjacent National Preserve. The bill would combine the two areas into a single managed unit called the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve and set rules for land use, tribal access, and resource protection.
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- Tribes: The Muscogee (Creek) Nation would get about 126 acres taken into trust as part of Indian country. The bill requires tribal consultation, preserves access to sacred and burial sites, and creates a tribal hiring preference for park jobs.
- Visitors and conservation: A general management plan must be completed within 3 years and address cultural resource protection, interpretation, and important cultural landscapes. Hunting would be allowed in the Preserve and fishing in waters of the Park and Preserve subject to federal and state law, with zones or seasonal limits after state consultation.
- Landowners and administration: Land for the Park and Preserve may be acquired only by purchase from willing sellers, donation, or exchange with no eminent domain. An advisory council with Tribal, federal, state, and regional members would advise management and meet at least twice a year.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Create Ocmulgee Park and Preserve
This bill would rename the current site as Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and create a new National Preserve. The Preserve would start after the Secretary publishes a notice that enough land was acquired. The Park and Preserve would be run as one unit. The Secretary could buy from willing sellers, accept donations, or exchange land, but could not use eminent domain. A public map would guide boundaries, and Congress could fund what is needed.
Hiring preference for Muscogee members
Members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation would get a hiring preference for jobs at the park and preserve. The policy would follow existing Indian preference rules.
Management plan and Tribal advisory council
The Secretary would have to finish a management plan within three years. The plan would be written with a seven‑member advisory council and must protect and interpret burial grounds and sacred sites. It would also list key cultural landscapes and plants to preserve or manage. The council must meet at least twice a year and send Tribal-interest recommendations within three years.
Protect sacred sites and access
The Secretary would have to protect sacred and cultural sites and allow access for Tribes with ancestral ties to the Ocmulgee River Corridor. This would follow the American Indian Religious Freedom Act and Executive Order 13007. The Park Service would consult the Tribe to offer cultural programs at Bond Swamp, with Fish and Wildlife Service consent. Ongoing Tribal consultation under Executive Order 13175 would continue.
Put 126 acres into tribal trust
About 126 acres owned by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation would be taken into federal trust for the Tribe. The land would be treated as Indian country and managed under trust land rules.
Hunting and fishing rules set
Hunting would be allowed in the Preserve and fishing in park waters if federal and state law allow it. The Secretary could close zones or seasons for safety, management, or emergencies after consulting the State. Private land use would not change, and State wildlife jurisdiction would remain.
Military flights allowed over park
The bill would not block low‑level military flights or new training airspace over the park and preserve. This could keep training routes in place but may mean local noise at times.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Scott, Austin
GA • R
Cosponsors
Bishop
GA • D
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Carter (GA)
GA • R
Sponsored 3/25/2025
McBath
GA • D
Sponsored 3/25/2025
McCormick
GA • R
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Scott, David
GA • D
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Williams (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Allen
GA • R
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Loudermilk
GA • R
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Jack
GA • R
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Greene (GA)
GA • R
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Collins
GA • R
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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