Ocmulgee Mounds Site Upgraded to National Park Status, Adds Preserve, and Transfers 126 Acres to Muscogee Nation Trust

This legislation, the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act, officially renames the existing Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park to the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park. More importantly, it establishes a brand new Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve adjacent to the park, creating a single, larger protected area under the National Park System. The bill gives the Secretary of the Interior the green light to expand both the Park and the Preserve, but here’s the crucial detail: all land must be acquired from willing sellers, meaning the federal government cannot use eminent domain to seize private property for this expansion (SEC. 3).

The Land Deal: Trust Status and Tribal Partnership

This Act is a major win for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation (referred to as the Tribe in the bill). First, the legislation mandates a strong partnership, requiring the management plan for the new Park and Preserve to prioritize the preservation of cultural resources, including burial grounds and sites considered sacred by the Tribe (SEC. 4). Second, it creates a hiring preference for Tribe members for jobs at the site, aligning with existing Indian preference policies. Third, and perhaps most significantly, the bill takes 126 acres of land currently owned by the Tribe and transfers it into federal trust status for their benefit, making it part of the Tribe’s recognized “Indian country” (SEC. 6). This move provides legal and financial security for that land.

Running the Show: Advisory Council and Management

To figure out how to manage this expanded area, the bill establishes a new Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Advisory Council (SEC. 5). This council will advise the Secretary on the management plan, and its composition is key: out of seven members, three must be representatives of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. This structure ensures the Tribe has a significant, mandated voice in how the cultural and natural resources are managed, which is a major shift toward co-stewardship. The management plan has to be completed within three years of the bill becoming law.

What it Means for Hunters and Local Landowners

If you’re a local hunter or angler, pay attention to the new Preserve designation. Hunting will be allowed on federally controlled land within the new National Preserve, and fishing is permitted in the waters of the entire Park and Preserve, provided they follow existing State and Federal laws (SEC. 4). However, the Secretary can establish specific zones or times where hunting or fishing is banned for public safety or resource management. They must consult with the State before implementing these restrictions. For private landowners within the proposed boundary maps, the bill is clear: the government can only expand if you are willing to sell or donate your land. If you were hoping the government would buy your property, this is good news, but if you want to hold onto it, the explicit ban on eminent domain is your safeguard.

The Fine Print: Military Overflights

One provision that stands out is the allowance for continued military aircraft flights. The bill explicitly states it does not prevent military aircraft from flying low over the Park and Preserve, nor does it stop the designation of new special use airspace or flight training routes (SEC. 4). While the law mandates protecting sacred sites, this allowance for military air traffic introduces a potential conflict with the preservation goals, especially concerning noise and quiet enjoyment for visitors and the Tribe, though the exact impact remains to be seen.