No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section defines terms used in the Act, including “Advisory Council” as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Advisory Council established under section 5(a); “Map” as the map entitled “Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Proposed Boundary”, numbered 363/193026, and dated September 2024; “Secretary” as the Secretary of the Interior; “State” as Georgia; and “Tribe” as the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
This section redesignates Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as Ocmulgee Mounds National Park (with conforming references in federal records) and authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands or interests within the area depicted as "National Park Area" on the map by purchase from willing sellers, donation, or exchange (prohibiting eminent domain) for incorporation and administration as part of the park. This section further establishes Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve as a National Park System unit, effective upon the Secretary's Federal Register notice determining sufficient lands within the "National Preserve Area" on the map have been acquired similarly (with boundaries conforming to acquired lands, no eminent domain, and administration as part of the preserve); it also authorizes minor map corrections and requires map availability for public inspection in National Park Service offices. (As background, the unit—originally established as Ocmulgee National Monument in 1936 preserving approximately 2,000 acres of Native American mounds and villages near Macon, Georgia—previously permitted land acquisition only by donation.)
This section directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve as a single unit of the National Park System in accordance with applicable laws (i.e., 54 U.S.C. §§ 100101(a), 100751(a), 100752, 100753, 100502, 102101, and ch. 3201) and a general management plan (GMP) to be developed within three years of enactment, in consultation with the Advisory Council. The GMP must provide for interpretation and preservation of cultural resources (including burial grounds and sacred sites to the Tribe) and an inventory of significant cultural landscapes (including flora). This section further (1) authorizes hunting on Preserve lands and fishing on Park and Preserve waters, subject to Federal and State laws, designated zones or periods of prohibition for public safety or management reasons (after State consultation), and without affecting private lands or State fish and wildlife jurisdiction; (2) requires hiring policies giving preference to Tribe members, consistent with the Indian preference policy under section 12 of the Indian Reorganization Act (25 U.S.C. § 5116); (3) preserves administration of the adjacent Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, while directing National Park Service consultation with the Tribe on cultural programs (with Service consent); (4) preserves ongoing tribal consultation under E.O. 13175; (5) permits military overflights, special use airspace, and flight training routes; and (6) requires protection of and tribal access to sacred and cultural sites under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996 et seq.) and E.O. 13007.
This section establishes the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Advisory Council to (1) advise the Secretary of the Interior on developing and implementing the park and preserve management plan and (2) submit recommendations within three years of enactment on accommodating Tribal interests, including collaboration on land management, species management, and interpretation of cultural and Tribal resources. The council consists of seven members appointed by the Secretary: (1) a National Park Service representative, (2) a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service representative, (3) three Tribal representatives, (4) a State Department of Natural Resources representative, and (5) one member selected after considering recommendations from the Middle Georgia Regional Commission. The council is subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (except section 1013), meets at least twice per year, elects its own chairperson, requires a quorum of a majority including at least one Tribal representative, fills vacancies as with original appointments, and provides no compensation to members.
This section takes into trust for the benefit of the Tribe all right, title, and interest of the United States in approximately 126 acres of land owned in fee by the Tribe. Such land (1) is part of the Tribe's Indian country (as defined in 18 U.S.C. §1151) and (2) shall be administered in accordance with laws and regulations generally applicable to property held in trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian tribe.