Bill Summary
This bill, titled the Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument Act, establishes the Mill Springs Battlefield in Kentucky as a unit of the National Park System. This monument is intended to preserve and interpret the historic resources and significance of the Mill Springs Battlefield during the Civil War. The bill outlines the boundaries of the monument, as well as the Secretary's authority to acquire land for the monument through donation, purchase, or exchange. It also requires the preparation of a general management plan and states that private property rights and activities outside the monument will not be affected by its establishment.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could affect people by restricting their land use rights if they are located within or adjacent to the Monument. They may not be able to use their land for certain purposes, such as development or resource extraction, without the approval of the National Park Service.
2. This legislation could also affect people by limiting their access to the Monument. If the Secretary determines that a sufficient amount of land has not been acquired, the Monument may not be established and people may not be able to visit and learn about the historic resources and role of the Mill Springs Battlefield.
3. The legislation may also affect people who live or own property near the Monument by prohibiting certain activities or uses that could be seen, heard, or detected from within the Monument. This could impact their daily lives and potentially limit their economic opportunities.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 32 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 32 To establish the Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument in the State of Kentucky as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 8, 2019 Mr. McConnell introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To establish the Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument in the State of Kentucky as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled ``Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, Nancy, Kentucky'', numbered 297/145513, and dated June 2018. (2) Monument.--The term ``Monument'' means the Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument established by section 3(a)(1). (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service. SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF MILL SPRINGS BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT. (a) Establishment.-- (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), there is established as a unit of the National Park System, the Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument in the State of Kentucky, to preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit of present and future generations-- (A) the nationally significant historic resources of the Mill Springs Battlefield; and (B) the role of the Mill Springs Battlefield in the Civil War. (2) Determination by the secretary.--The Monument shall not be established until the date on which the Secretary determines that a sufficient quantity of land or interests in land has been acquired to constitute a manageable park unit. (3) Notice.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary makes a determination under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register notice of the establishment of the Monument. (4) Boundary.--The boundary of the Monument shall be as generally depicted on the Map. (5) Availability of map.--The Map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service. (6) Acquisition authority.--The Secretary may only acquire land or an interest in land located within the boundary of the Monument by-- (A) donation; (B) purchase from a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds; or (C) exchange. (b) Administration.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall administer the Monument in accordance with-- (A) this Act; and (B) the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including-- (i) section 100101(a), chapter 1003, and sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of title 54, United States Code; and (ii) chapter 3201 of title 54, United States Code. (2) Management plan.-- (A) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to prepare a general management plan for the Monument, the Secretary shall prepare the general management plan in accordance with section 100502 of title 54, United States Code. (B) Submission to congress.--On completion of the general management plan, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate the general management plan. (c) Private Property Protection.--Nothing in this Act affects the land use rights of private property owners within or adjacent to the Monument. (d) No Buffer Zones.-- (1) In general.--Nothing in this Act, the establishment of the Monument, or the management of the Monument creates a buffer zone outside the Monument. (2) Activity or use outside monument.--The fact that an activity or use can be seen, heard, or detected from within the Monument shall not preclude the conduct of the activity or use outside the Monument. <all>