Federal

Big Bend National Park Boundary Adjustment Act

Source: Congress.gov · 363 words in original text

What This Bill Does

This bill allows the Secretary of the Interior to add approximately 6,100 acres of land to Big Bend National Park in Texas. The bill establishes how the Secretary can acquire this land and how it will be managed once added to the park.

Who It Affects

The Secretary of the Interior. Landowners who choose to donate or sell their land to the park. The National Park Service, which manages Big Bend National Park.

Key Provisions

• The Secretary may acquire approximately 6,100 acres of land or interests in land through donation, purchase from willing sellers, or exchange (Sec. 3(a)). • A specific map titled "Big Bend National Park, Proposed Boundary Adjustment," numbered 155/167,296 and dated November 2022, shows which land tracts should be included in the boundary (Sec. 2(1)). • Once land is acquired, the Secretary must revise the park boundary to include it and manage it following all applicable laws and regulations (Sec. 3(c)). • The Secretary cannot use eminent domain or condemnation to acquire land for this purpose (Sec. 3(d)).

What Changes

The boundary of Big Bend National Park will be expanded to include newly acquired land. That newly acquired land will become part of the park and be managed under park rules.

Important Definitions

Park: Big Bend National Park, established June 20, 1935. Secretary: The Secretary of the Interior.

118TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. 1059 AN ACT To adjust the boundary of Big Bend National Park in the State of Texas, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 2 † S 1059 ES SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 1 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Big Bend National 2 Park Boundary Adjustment Act’’. 3 SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 4 In this Act: 5 (1) MAP.—The term ‘‘map’’ means the map en- 6 titled ‘‘Big Bend National Park, Proposed Boundary 7 Adjustment’’, numbered 155/167,296, and dated 8 November 2022. 9 (2) PARK.—The term ‘‘Park’’ means the Big 10 Bend National Park established under the Act of 11 June 20, 1935 (49 Stat. 393, chapter 283; 16 12 U.S.C. 156). 13 (3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 14 the Secretary of the Interior. 15 SEC. 3. BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY ADJUST- 16 MENT. 17 (a) LAND ACQUISITION.—The Secretary may acquire 18 approximately 6,100 acres of land or interests in land gen- 19 erally depicted on the map as ‘‘Tracts to Include in 20 Boundary’’ by donation, purchase from willing sellers, or 21 exchange. 22 (b) AVAILABILITY OF MAP.—The map shall be on file 23 and available for public inspection in the appropriate of- 24 fices of the National Park Service. 25 3 † S 1059 ES (c) BOUNDARY REVISION AND ADMINISTRATION.— 1 On acquisition of any land or interests in land under sub- 2 section (a), the Secretary shall— 3 (1) revise the boundary of the Park to include 4 the acquired land or interests in land; and 5 (2) administer the acquired land or interests in 6 land as part of the Park in accordance with applica- 7 ble laws (including regulations). 8 (d) EMINENT DOMAIN OR CONDEMNATION.—In car- 9 rying out this Act, the Secretary may not use eminent do- 10 main or condemnation. 11 Passed the Senate December 18 (legislative day, De- cember 16), 2024. Attest: Secretary. 118TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. 1059 AN ACT To adjust the boundary of Big Bend National Park in the State of Texas, and for other purposes.

Important: This plain English summary was generated by AI and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Always consult the official bill text on Congress.gov or a qualified attorney for legal matters.