Federal Land Swap: Harpers Ferry National Park Gains 71 Acres, CBP Gets 25 for Training Center

This bill is essentially a non-monetary real estate transaction between two federal agencies: the Department of the Interior, which manages the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The Administrative Land Swap

In short, the legislation formalizes a trade of administrative jurisdiction over specific federal land parcels in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The Secretary of the Interior is transferring about 25 acres of federal land to the Commissioner of CBP. This 25-acre parcel, which currently sits within the boundary of the National Historical Park, will be removed from the park and designated for use by CBP’s Advanced Training Center. Think of it as the National Park Service handing over a small piece of property to its neighbor, CBP, so they can expand their operations.

At the same time, CBP is transferring a much larger chunk—about 71.51 acres spread across three parcels—back to the Secretary of the Interior. This 71-acre parcel will be officially added to the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, restoring that land to park management. Neither agency is paying the other for these transfers, making it a straight swap of oversight rather than a sale.

What This Means for Park Visitors and Taxpayers

For most people, the biggest impact revolves around access and land use. On the positive side, the National Historical Park is gaining a net increase of over 46 acres of land (71.51 acres received minus 25 acres given up). This expansion could eventually mean more trails, conservation areas, or historical sites under the protection of the National Park Service.

However, the 25 acres transferred to CBP will now become a specialized federal law enforcement training facility. This means that area, previously accessible to the public as part of the park, will likely be closed off and dedicated to security and training operations. If you’re a local hiker or someone who enjoys exploring the historical park, you’ll lose access to that specific 25-acre section. The bill requires CBP to pay for a formal survey to define the exact boundaries of their new 25-acre parcel, ensuring clarity and preventing future boundary disputes.

The Long-Term Safety Net

The bill includes a crucial safety net for the National Park Service. If CBP ever decides they no longer need that 25-acre parcel for their Advanced Training Center, the bill mandates that jurisdiction must be transferred back to the Secretary of the Interior. This land would then be re-added to the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Furthermore, the legislation ensures that this future return of land won't count against any existing acreage limits set for the park, which prevents bureaucratic hurdles if the land is ever returned. This provision acts as a safeguard, ensuring the land isn’t permanently lost from the park system if CBP’s needs change down the road.