Ocmulgee Mounds Site Gets National Park Upgrade and 126 Acres Back to Muscogee (Creek) Nation

This legislation, titled the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act, is a big deal for history buffs, conservationists, and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. It essentially gives the existing Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park a promotion, renaming it the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park, and creates a new Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve next door. The goal is to manage both sites as one unit within the National Park System, focusing heavily on cultural preservation.

Expanding the Footprint, Not Forcing the Sale

One of the most important takeaways for anyone living near the proposed expansion area is how the government plans to acquire land. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to expand both the Park and the Preserve by acquiring land marked on the official map (Map 363193026, dated September 2024). This can happen through purchase, donation, or exchange. Crucially, the bill explicitly states that the government cannot use eminent domain to acquire any land for either the Park or the Preserve (SEC. 3). This is a major win for private landowners in the area, ensuring that any expansion is based on willing sellers only. If you own property within the proposed boundary, the government can ask to buy it, but they can’t force you out.

A New Era of Tribal Management

This bill formalizes a significant role for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation (Tribe) in managing the site. First, the Secretary must set up hiring policies that give preference to members of the Tribe for jobs at the Park and Preserve, consistent with existing Indian preference policies (SEC. 4). This means new jobs created by the expansion will prioritize Tribal members, offering economic opportunity.

Second, the bill creates the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Advisory Council (SEC. 5). This council, which advises the Secretary on the management plan, will have seven members, and three of those seats are reserved specifically for representatives of the Tribe. This gives the Muscogee (Creek) Nation a powerful, mandated voice in how the sacred sites, burial grounds, and cultural landscapes are protected and interpreted.

Trust Land Transfer: Sovereignty in 126 Acres

Perhaps the most significant provision for the Tribe is found in Section 6. The Act transfers about 126 acres of existing federal land into a trust for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. This land will now be considered part of the Tribe’s Indian country and managed under the same federal laws that govern other trust lands. This is a direct act of restoring land sovereignty and is a major shift in how this area is managed and recognized.

Keeping the Outdoors Open

For those who enjoy hunting and fishing, the bill maintains access within the new National Preserve. Hunting is required to be allowed on federal land within the Preserve, and fishing is allowed in the waters of both the Park and Preserve, provided both activities follow Federal and State laws (SEC. 4). The Secretary can temporarily stop these activities for public safety or emergencies, but they must consult with the State of Georgia first. This ensures that the Preserve won't become a complete no-hunting zone, balancing conservation with traditional outdoor activities.

The Fine Print on Funding

As is common in legislation of this scope, the bill authorizes the appropriation of “such sums as are necessary” to carry out everything detailed in the Act (SEC. 7). This means the government has the green light to ask Congress for the funding needed to buy land, hire staff, and build infrastructure for the new Park and Preserve. While it’s good that the funding mechanism is in place, this open-ended language means the ultimate cost will be determined later through the appropriations process, without a specific dollar cap set in this initial legislation.