This bill officially redesignates the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park, updates its administration, and directs the Secretary of the Interior to take specific tribal lands into trust for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Austin Scott
Representative
GA-8
This Act officially redesignates the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park, aligning its administration with other National Park System units. It maintains existing fishing and hunting regulations while directing the Secretary of the Interior to increase employment opportunities for culturally affiliated Indian tribes. Furthermore, the bill authorizes agreements with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation for resource management and directs the transfer of specific acreage into federal trust status for the Tribe, excluding gaming use.
Ocmulgee Mounds to Become Georgia’s First National Park: New Tribal Jobs and Land Protections Included
Georgia is about to see a major upgrade to its outdoor and historical landscape. The Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is being redesignated as a full-blown National Park, putting it in the same league as Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. Beyond the name change, this move streamlines how the park is run under federal law and ensures that the 12,000 years of human history at the site are managed with modern efficiency. For the average visitor, this means the park you love gets a higher profile and more robust federal protection, while the 'Historical' tag is dropped to reflect its status as a premier national destination.
A Seat at the Table
This bill isn't just about changing the signs at the entrance; it’s about who is running the show. Section 4 specifically directs the Secretary of the Interior to ramp up hiring for members of Indian tribes to work in park operations. If you’re a member of a culturally affiliated tribe, like the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, this translates to real-world career opportunities in conservation and park management. The bill also mandates that the government keeps talking to these tribes to protect religious and cultural sites. It’s a move that ensures the people whose ancestors built the mounds are the ones helping to preserve them for the next generation.
Fishing, Hunting, and the Fine Print
For the weekend outdoorsman, the rules are staying pretty grounded. Section 4 clarifies that you can still fish in the park’s waters as long as you’re following Georgia state laws. The Secretary can temporarily close areas for safety or wildlife management, but they have to check in with the State of Georgia first. If you own private land that happens to fall within the park’s new boundaries, your rights to hunt, fish, or trap remain exactly as they are now. The bill is careful not to step on the state’s toes regarding wildlife management, keeping the balance between federal oversight and local tradition.
Land Trust and the Gaming Clause
One of the most significant logistical shifts involves about 134 acres of land currently owned by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Under Section 6, this land will be moved into a federal trust, officially making it part of the tribe’s reservation. While this gives the tribe more sovereignty over their property, there is a very specific catch: no gambling. The bill explicitly prohibits class II or class III gaming on this specific slice of land. It’s a straightforward trade-off—the tribe gains federal trust status and protection for their land, but the area remains dedicated to heritage and conservation rather than becoming a new casino site.