Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act
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The bill would direct the Interior Department to transfer about 7 acres of federal land inside Vicksburg National Military Park to the State of Mississippi, free of charge, for use as an interpretive center that supports the park's mission.
It would also require the park's official boundary to be redrawn to exclude the transferred land once the conveyance takes place, a narrow administrative change limited to this one Mississippi park.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to convey two specific parcels of federal land within Vicksburg National Military Park — about 1.69 acres and 5.74 acres, identified on named survey maps — to the State of Mississippi by quitclaim deed and without any payment. The land would be used to facilitate public access to the park and enhance the visitor experience in a manner consistent with the park's interpretive mission, as determined by the Secretary. The land could not be used in ways that adversely affect park resources or the visitor experience, and would remain subject to any use restrictions the Secretary deems appropriate. Once the conveyance is complete, the bill would require the Secretary to modify the park's official boundary to exclude the transferred land. The bill does not authorize any other land transactions or change the park's management beyond this specific conveyance and boundary adjustment.
Key provisions
- 1Would require the Secretary of the Interior to convey two parcels (about 1.69 and 5.74 acres) of park land to Mississippi by quitclaim deed, at no cost.
- 2Would require the Secretary to modify the park's boundary to exclude the conveyed land once the transfer occurs.
- 3Would require the conveyed land to be used to facilitate public access and enhance visitor experience consistent with the park's interpretive mission.
- 4Would prohibit use of the conveyed land in ways that adversely impact park resources or visitor experience, and allow the Secretary to impose use restrictions.
Who would be affected
The National Park Service and Department of the Interior, which would carry out the conveyance and boundary change; the State of Mississippi, which would receive the land and presumably operate an interpretive center there; and visitors to Vicksburg National Military Park, whose access and experience the transferred land is meant to serve.
Why it matters
The transfer would let Mississippi build or operate visitor-facing facilities, such as an interpretive center, on land currently under federal park control, potentially improving public access and education at the site. Because the land is removed from the park boundary and subject to Secretary-imposed use restrictions, the practical effect is narrow and confined to this specific site.
What would change
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- Boundary modification excluding the conveyed land
How implementation would work
The Secretary of the Interior would identify and survey the two designated parcels using the referenced maps, then execute a quitclaim deed transferring the land to Mississippi without payment. The Secretary would attach any use restrictions deemed appropriate to protect park resources and visitor experience, and would monitor compliance with the public-access and interpretive-mission requirements. After the deed is executed, the Secretary would formally redraw and record the park's boundary to exclude the conveyed acreage.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Received in the Senate.
Official CRS summary
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This bill directs the Department of the Interior to convey approximately 7 acres of specified land (in two parcels) within the Vicksburg National Military Park to Mississippi for an interpretive center.
The conveyed land must facilitate public access to the park, may not be used in a manner that adversely impacts the park's resources or visitor experience, and remains subject to any use restriction that Interior determines is appropriate.
Interior must convey the land by quitclaim deed and without consideration, such as payment. Upon the conveyance of the land, Interior must modify the park's boundary to exclude the land.
Legislative subjects
Mississippi; Parks, recreation areas, trails; Public Lands and Natural Resources
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-452