This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the national significance of key Mississippian culture sites in Illinois and evaluate options for their potential inclusion in the National Park System.
Richard Durbin
Senator
IL
The Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of key Mississippian culture sites in Illinois, known as the "Study Area." This study must evaluate the national importance of these sites and determine the feasibility of including them in the National Park System. The Secretary must also consider alternative preservation and interpretation methods and submit a final report with recommendations to Congress within three years of funding.
Historic Cahokia Mounds Site Gets Federal Study: Is National Park Status Next?
The Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study Act is a straightforward proposal that kicks off a three-year federal study focused on one of North America’s most significant ancient cities. Essentially, Congress is tasking the Secretary of the Interior—the person in charge of federal lands and parks—with figuring out the best way to protect and manage the Cahokia Mounds site and two related archaeological areas in Illinois: the Emerald and Pulcher Mounds. The big question the study must answer is whether this entire area should be brought into the National Park System (NPS).
The First City North of Mexico
To understand why this study matters, you have to appreciate the history. The bill recognizes that Cahokia, which thrived between A.D. 700 and 1400, was the central hub of the Mississippian culture, covering nearly six square miles and housing up to 20,000 people at its peak. That means when Cahokia was humming, it was bigger than most European cities, including London. It was the first known organized city life and government north of Mexico. This isn't just a pile of dirt; it’s a massive piece of North American history that currently holds National Historic Landmark, State Historic Site, and UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The study is about giving this history the federal attention it deserves.
The National Park Question and Cost Check
The core of the bill, found in Section 4, requires the Secretary to evaluate two main things. First, the study must assess the national significance of the combined "Study Area." Second, it needs to determine if it’s "feasible and desirable" to make it an official part of the National Park System. This is where the rubber meets the road. Becoming an NPS site usually means a massive influx of federal funding, maintenance resources, and national visibility, which is a huge win for preservation. But the Secretary also has to look at alternatives, like strengthening partnerships between existing state, local, and private groups already managing the site.
Crucially, the Secretary must consult with all interested parties—federal, state, local, and private—and come up with detailed cost estimates for any potential federal involvement, covering everything from land acquisition to daily operations and maintenance. This cost analysis is key because it will determine the practical viability of the NPS designation. If the numbers are too high, the Secretary has the discretion to recommend one of the alternative, non-federal approaches. The final report, including the Secretary’s recommendations, is due to Congress three years after funding is secured for the study. For those who care about history and preserving these crucial sites for future generations, this study is the first, necessary step toward ensuring this ancient American city gets the long-term protection it needs.