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HR 9416

Ocmulgee Mounds National Park Redesignation Act

119th Congress Introduced by Rick Allen and 11 co-sponsors

Redesignate Ocmulgee Mounds as a National Park and enhance tribal consultation, land-to-trust options for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and protection of sacred sites.

Subcommittee Hearings Held
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Bill Summary · HR 9416

Overview

HR 9416, the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park Redesignation Act, would redesignate the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and implement related administration, consultation, land-trust, and tribal partnership provisions. The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress on June 24, 2026, and has multiple House sponsors and co-sponsors.

Main purpose and intent

  • Redesignate the existing Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as “Ocmulgee Mounds National Park.”
  • Establish related administrative, tribal consultation, land-into-trust, and governance provisions to support management and cultural protections in the Ocmulgee Mounds region, with emphasis on cooperation with Native tribes, particularly the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Redesignation

    • Section 3(a): The park designated under the Dingell Act shall be known as the “Ocmulgee Mounds National Park.”
    • Section 3(a)(2): References to the former name in laws, maps, regulations, and records shall be updated to reflect the new name.
    • Section 3(b): The official map (titled “Ocmulgee Mounds National Park,” May 2026) may receive technical corrections and must remain publicly available through the National Park Service.

  2. Administration

    • Section 4: The park will be administered as a unit of the National Park System under existing statutes governing National Park units (including specified sections of title 54, U.S. Code and related provisions).

  3. Fishing and land-use considerations

    • Section 4(b): The Secretary may allow fishing within the park in accordance with federal and state laws, designate zones or periods where fishing is restricted for safety, management, or emergencies, and ensure any restrictions are implemented after consultation with the State. Private land within the area remains subject to state and federal laws.
    • The act preserves state authority over fish and wildlife management on lands and waters within Georgia, clarifying that federal action does not diminish state authority.

  4. Tribal employment and consultation

    • Section 4(c): The Secretary should seek to increase employment opportunities for members of Indian tribes in the park, to the maximum extent practicable.
    • Section 4(d): The bill does not prevent ongoing consultation with Indian tribes and other applicable laws.

  5. Protection of sacred and cultural sites

    • Section 4(e): The Secretary must protect traditional cultural and religious sites within the park and provide access to sites for tribes with ancestral connections to the Ocmulgee River Corridor, under applicable laws and regulations.

  6. Agreements with tribes

    • Section 5: The Secretary may enter into MOUs or cooperative agreements with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and other interested tribes to address management, conservation, and preservation of park resources. The Secretary must promptly notify parties of any requests from other tribes seeking similar agreements.

  7. Land into trust for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation

    • Section 6(a): Upon request, within 180 days the Secretary shall take into trust approximately 133.88 acres of land currently held in fee by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, as depicted on a map dated June 16, 2026.
    • Section 6(b): The land taken into trust would become part of the Muscogee Creek Indian Reservation and be administered under trust laws applicable to Indian Tribe properties.
    • Section 6(c): The land cannot be used for Class II or Class III gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Who and what would be affected

  • Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and its governance structure would be redesignated and administered under National Park System laws.
  • The Muscogee (Creek) Nation and other affiliated tribes would have enhanced opportunities for consultation, potential land trust, and participation in park management decisions.
  • Public users would benefit from clarified access to sacred sites and continued fishing opportunities under state and federal regulations.
  • The State of Georgia maintains authority over fishing, hunting, and wildlife management on lands within the park’s boundaries, subject to federal considerations and consultation requirements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill establishes a defined process for the potential transfer of 133.88 acres into trust for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, requiring a request from the Nation and action within 180 days.
  • Map corrections and availability: The map is designated as a formal reference and may be corrected administratively; it must be filed and accessible in NPS offices.
  • The act envisions ongoing tribal consultation under Executive Order 13175 and applicable laws, with opportunities for MOUs and cooperative agreements.

Notes

  • The legislation is framed to respect state authority on fishing and wildlife while expanding tribal collaboration and cultural protections within the park.
  • Gaming restrictions on the potential trust land are explicitly stated to avoid enabling gambling activities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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