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This bill would require the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of three archaeological sites in Illinois: Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville, the Emerald Mounds in St. Clair County, and the Pulcher Mounds in Monroe and St. Clair Counties. The National Park Service uses these studies to evaluate whether sites meet the criteria for designation as National Historical Sites or other units of the National Park System.
The study would assess the national significance of these Mississippian culture sites, determine whether they are suitable and feasible for National Park System designation, and explore alternative preservation approaches through state or local governments and nonprofit organizations. The study would also estimate the costs associated with federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance of the sites under various scenarios.
After completing the study, the Department of the Interior would report its findings and recommendations to Congress. This bill does not automatically designate these sites as national parks or historical sites; rather, it authorizes a study to determine whether such designation would be appropriate and practical. The bill has advanced through the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and is pending further congressional action.
AI-generated summary
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Feb 4, 2026
Feb 4, 2026 · 14:30
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a business meeting on February 4, 2026, to consider a diverse package of 30 bills spanning public lands management, conservation efforts, and historic site designations. The bills addressed varied topics including travel management plans in Utah, wildfire response improvements, emergency communications upgrades in national parks, water conservation programs, wilderness designations, ranger district transfers, and the establishment or redesignation of historic sites and memorials across multiple states. No witnesses were listed for this business meeting, which is typical for sessions focused on committee consideration and procedural votes rather than substantive testimony. Business meetings differ from legislative hearings in that they involve committee members voting on bills rather than hearing public testimony. The bills ranged from relatively narrow measures, such as renaming interpretive centers and amphitheaters after notable figures, to more substantive policy changes affecting federal land management and conservation programs. The package included bills to designate new national historic sites, expand national park boundaries, establish memorial museums, and authorize funding for river restoration and species conservation initiatives. As with all committee business meetings, consideration of these bills does not guarantee their advancement. The committee's actions at this meeting would determine whether individual bills move forward for further consideration by the full Senate.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Feb 4, 2026
Feb 4, 2026 · 14:30
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a business meeting on February 4, 2026, to consider a diverse package of 30 bills spanning public lands management, conservation efforts, and historic site designations. The bills addressed varied topics including travel management plans in Utah, wildfire response improvements, emergency communications upgrades in national parks, water conservation programs, wilderness designations, ranger district transfers, and the establishment or redesignation of historic sites and memorials across multiple states. No witnesses were listed for this business meeting, which is typical for sessions focused on committee consideration and procedural votes rather than substantive testimony. Business meetings differ from legislative hearings in that they involve committee members voting on bills rather than hearing public testimony. The bills ranged from relatively narrow measures, such as renaming interpretive centers and amphitheaters after notable figures, to more substantive policy changes affecting federal land management and conservation programs. The package included bills to designate new national historic sites, expand national park boundaries, establish memorial museums, and authorize funding for river restoration and species conservation initiatives. As with all committee business meetings, consideration of these bills does not guarantee their advancement. The committee's actions at this meeting would determine whether individual bills move forward for further consideration by the full Senate.
No CBO cost estimate has been published for this bill.