Overview
Title
To amend the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act to expand the boundary of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in the State of Vermont, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
In this bill, they want to make a big park in Vermont even bigger by adding more land, like farms and a mountain, to protect nature and teach people about it. They also plan to create a special place in the park to learn about taking care of the environment.
Summary AI
H.R. 986 aims to expand the boundaries of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Vermont. It includes extending the park to incorporate specific historic and protection zones, such as the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion and Mt. Tom area, as well as the Billings Farm and Museum. Additionally, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to acquire land through various means and can use the King Farm for agricultural, conservation, and educational purposes. The bill also establishes a National Park Service Stewardship Institute within the park to promote stewardship practices and leadership in conservation.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation aims to amend the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act, primarily to expand the boundaries of the park located in Vermont. This expansion includes a historic and protection zone as well as a new map to depict these changes. Additionally, the bill allows land acquisition by various methods, such as donations, purchases, or exchanges, and introduces provisions for the use of acquired lands. The legislation also establishes the National Park Service Stewardship Institute to foster stewardship and conservation practices within the park.
Significant Issues
Several issues arise with the proposed amendments.
Financial Considerations: The bill lacks specific details on the costs associated with the boundary expansion, land acquisition, and the establishment of the Stewardship Institute. This lack of financial transparency could lead to unmonitored spending, which is a significant concern for public financial oversight.
Vague Language and Ambiguities: The bill uses broad language that grants significant discretion without clear guidelines, particularly regarding land acquisitions and the operations of the Stewardship Institute. These ambiguities could lead to inconsistent application of the law and lack of accountability.
Accessibility and Transparency: The map that details the boundary changes must be accessible to the public; however, the bill does not specify how this will be achieved, raising potential transparency concerns.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the expansion of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park could enhance recreational and educational opportunities by preserving and maintaining important historical and natural resources. The creation of the Stewardship Institute also promises to advance conservation efforts and public education through workshops and innovative programs. However, the lack of financial transparency and oversight could result in inefficient use of resources, which might not meet public expectations for accountability in government spending.
Impact on Stakeholders
Local Communities and Visitors: The park expansion can be seen as a benefit, providing more space for public enjoyment and potential economic benefits from increased tourism. However, without clear guidelines, there may be conflict or confusion over land use and accessibility.
Conservation and Historical Groups: These stakeholders might appreciate the bill’s focus on stewardship and historical preservation. Still, the lack of specific metrics for the Stewardship Institute raises concerns about the effectiveness of these initiatives.
Landowners and Federal Agencies: Landowners and government agencies involved in land transfers might face challenges due to the broad and vague language, which could result in ambiguities during negotiations or exchanges.
Overall, while the intentions of the bill appear positive, aiming to expand and enhance a national historical park while promoting preservation and stewardship, the lack of detailed guidance and financial transparency presents challenges. These issues need addressing to prevent unintended consequences and ensure the bill fulfills its objectives without leading to inefficiencies or misuse of resources.
Issues
The bill does not specify the costs associated with the boundary expansion in Section 2. Without financial details, it is challenging to assess potential wasteful spending or financial implications, which is significant for public financial oversight.
Section 3 fails to outline specific limits or guidelines on the amount of land the Secretary can acquire within the park's boundary, potentially leading to unchecked expenditures. This issue is crucial for financial transparency and management.
The language in Section 2 regarding 'as determined by the Secretary to be appropriate' is vague and gives broad discretion without clear guidelines, which might lead to arbitrary decisions impacting legal and organizational transparency.
Section 5's establishment of the National Park Service Stewardship Institute lacks specific details on budget or funding allocations, which could lead to concerns about unmonitored or wasteful spending, significant for financial and organizational accountability.
The text in Section 3 about the types of activities permitted on acquired lands lacks specificity, which might result in inconsistent application and potential misuse of the land, raising ethical and organizational concerns.
The bill does not specify how the map detailing the boundary changes will be made easily accessible to the general public, which could pose a transparency concern in Section 2.
Section 4 references a map change without providing additional context or explanation for the reasons behind the change. Without this context, understanding the implications of the change is challenging.
The purposes and administration of the National Park Service Stewardship Institute in Sections 5 and 6 are described in broad terms without specific measurable goals or integration plans with existing services, affecting accountability and effectiveness.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
In Section 1, the Act is officially named the "Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act Amendments Act of 2025."
2. Boundary expansion Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The amendment to the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act changes the park's boundaries to include a historic zone with the mansion and nearby buildings, a portion of Mt. Tom, a protection zone with the Billings Farm and Museum, and the King Farm, which will be split between the two zones. A map of the new boundaries is available for public viewing at the National Park Service offices.
3. Acquisition of land Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section amends the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act to allow the Secretary to acquire land within the park by donation, purchase, transfer, or exchange, and specifies that the newly acquired King Farm land can be used for agriculture, conservation, and education while preserving its historical character.
4. Scenic zone Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section modifies the boundary description of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park by replacing the map dated November 19, 1991, with a new map labeled “Proposed Boundary Revision,” numbered 456/190,048, and dated August 2023.
5. National Park Service Stewardship Institute Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The text describes the establishment of the National Park Service Stewardship Institute at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. The Institute aims to promote good stewardship practices, foster innovation within the National Park Service, and share best practices in conservation and resource management through programs and research.
6. National Park Service Stewardship Institute Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The National Park Service Stewardship Institute is established at the park to promote stewardship practices through various programs and create opportunities for innovation, best practices exchange, and community engagement in conservation and resource management. The Institute will operate as a program within the park.