Overview
Title
An Act To adjust the boundaries of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to include the Scarper Ridge property.
ELI5 AI
The bill is about making a park bigger by adding a piece of land called the Scarper Ridge property to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This means the boundaries of the park will change, but it doesn’t say exactly where people can see the new map or how big the new piece of land is.
Summary AI
S. 4851 aims to change the boundaries of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to include the Scarper Ridge property. The amendment involves updating Section 2(a)(2) of Public Law 92–589 by adding a new description of land that will be incorporated into the recreation area, as shown on a specific map dated July 2024. This adjustment was passed by the Senate on December 19, 2024.
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AnalysisAI
Overview of the Bill
The legislation, formally titled the "Scarper Ridge Golden Gate National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Act of 2024" (S. 4851), is a congressional act aimed at modifying the boundaries of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The adjustment involves the inclusion of the Scarper Ridge property, expanding the designated area of this renowned national park. The bill, having passed the Senate on December 19, 2024, signifies the government's intent to enlarge this recreational space, potentially increasing protected land and allowing for more conservation efforts.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One of the key issues with the bill is the reference to a specific map, entitled the "Golden Gate National Recreation Area Proposed Boundary Addition," which is crucial for understanding the precise details of the boundary changes. However, the legislation lacks clear information on how the map can be accessed or viewed by the public and stakeholders. This omission could lead to ambiguity, as interested parties might find it challenging to comprehend the full scope and implications of the boundary changes.
Additionally, the phrase "Proposed Boundary Addition" might suggest that the changes are not finalized, potentially creating uncertainty about the process for solidifying these new boundaries. The bill does not clarify the criteria or procedures required to make these changes permanent.
Another point of concern is the lack of specific details regarding the size, nature, or features of the land being incorporated into the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Without this information, evaluating the potential environmental and social impacts or the motivations behind this legislative action becomes difficult.
Potential Public Impact
The expansion of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area could have broad and varied impacts on the public. For one, it offers the potential for enhanced conservation efforts in protecting additional scenic landscapes and wildlife habitats. This could benefit the community by preserving natural spaces for recreational activities, education, and tourism.
Conversely, should the bill lack clarity regarding the boundaries and the process for finalizing the changes, it may lead to confusion and possible disputes among local residents and environmental groups.
Impact on Stakeholders
From an environmental perspective, conservation organizations might view the bill as a positive step toward safeguarding more land. The inclusion of Scarper Ridge within the park's boundaries could provide additional protection to the area's ecosystems.
For local communities, there might be a mix of positive and negative effects. On one hand, increased park size might boost local tourism, potentially driving economic benefits. On the other hand, if the expansion leads to restrictions on land use, local residents might face changes that could negatively affect their livelihoods or property rights.
Overall, while the bill's intent appears to enhance and preserve valuable natural resources, clarity on the process and implications of these boundary adjustments will be crucial for its successful implementation and acceptance by all stakeholders involved.
Issues
The amendment in Section 2 refers to a map entitled 'Golden Gate National Recreation Area Proposed Boundary Addition', numbered 641/193973, and dated July 2024, but it does not provide information on how this map can be accessed or where it can be viewed. This lack of accessibility could lead to ambiguity and prevent the public or relevant stakeholders from assessing the implications of the boundary adjustments.
The language used in Section 2, 'Proposed Boundary Addition', might imply potential future changes without detailing the process or criteria for finalizing these boundaries. This could be seen as vague or ambiguous, leading to legal uncertainties or challenges regarding the implementation of the boundary changes.
Section 2 does not provide specific details about the size or characteristics of the land being added to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This omission makes it difficult to assess the potential environmental, social, or economic impact of the addition, as well as the justifications for this legislative change.
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
The section provides the short title of the Act, which is called the "Scarper Ridge Golden Gate National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Act of 2024."
2. Scarper Ridge boundary adjustment Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill updates Public Law 92–589 to extend the Scarper Ridge area's boundaries. It adds new land, identified on a specific map as "Proposed Boundary Addition," to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.