Ocmulgee Mounds Bill Elevates Site to National Park & Preserve, Partners with Muscogee (Creek) Nation

This legislation officially upgrades the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park in Georgia to the status of a National Park and establishes an adjacent National Preserve. The core idea is to expand protection and recognition for this significant cultural site, outlining how the land will be managed, who gets a say, and how the deep historical ties of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation are formally acknowledged.

Growing the Footprint, Respecting Rights

So, what's changing on the ground? First, the name gets an upgrade to Ocmulgee Mounds National Park. Alongside this, the bill sets the stage for the Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve, covering a designated area shown on a specific map (Map 363193026, dated Sept 2024). The Secretary of the Interior can acquire land for both the Park and the Preserve, but only through donation, exchange, or buying from willing sellers – Section 3 explicitly forbids using eminent domain. Once enough land is gathered for the Preserve to be a 'manageable unit', it officially comes into being. Think of it as expanding the protected zone piece by piece, as land becomes available voluntarily.

Management Plan: Culture, Conservation, and Collaboration

Running this expanded area involves a few key things laid out in Section 4. The Park and Preserve will be managed together as one unit by the National Park Service. Within three years, a detailed management plan must be developed. This isn't just about trails and picnic spots; the plan must focus on preserving cultural resources, especially burial grounds and sacred sites important to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and inventorying significant cultural landscapes. For locals and visitors, hunting and fishing are generally allowed in the Preserve under state and federal rules, though the Park Service can designate specific zones or times where it's restricted after consulting the state. Notably, the bill gives hiring preference to members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation for jobs within the Park and Preserve. It also ensures continued access for members of Indian Tribes with ancestral connections to the area for visiting sacred and cultural sites.

A Seat at the Table and Land in Trust

Recognizing the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's deep connection, the bill does two significant things. First, it establishes a 7-member Advisory Council (Section 5) to guide the Secretary of the Interior on the management plan and incorporating Tribal interests. This council includes three representatives directly from the Tribe, alongside members from the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, the State DNR, and the Middle Georgia Regional Commission. Second, Section 6 directs that approximately 126 acres of land already owned by the Tribe be taken into trust by the United States for the Tribe. This formally designates the land as part of the Tribe's Indian country, solidifying their connection and rights to that specific parcel under federal law.