S.1674 - Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1674, the Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2025, proposes to modify the boundary of Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. The bill allows the Secretary of the Interior to acquire approximately 551.14 acres of land, depicted as 'Proposed Addition' on a specified map, for inclusion in the park. It also adjusts the valuation of land within the park by accounting for inflation using the Consumer Price Index.
Expected Effects
The Act will expand the Mammoth Cave National Park by approximately 551.14 acres. This expansion aims to enhance the park's resources and potentially improve visitor experiences. The adjustment for inflation in land valuation will likely affect future land acquisitions or transactions within the park.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced Conservation: Protects an additional 551.14 acres of land, potentially preserving natural resources and biodiversity.
- Increased Recreational Opportunities: Provides more space for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.
- Economic Benefits: May attract more tourists, boosting the local economy.
- Cultural Preservation: Could protect historical or archaeological sites within the expanded area.
- Improved Ecosystem Services: The added land may contribute to cleaner air and water.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Land Acquisition Costs: Acquiring the land may involve significant government expenditure.
- Possible Displacement: Land acquisition could potentially displace current landowners or residents, though the bill does not explicitly state eminent domain will be used.
- Increased Management Burden: Managing a larger park area may require additional resources and personnel.
- Impact on Local Economy: If private land is converted to park land, it could impact local tax revenues.
- Restriction of Land Use: Private land owners may be restricted in how they can use their land.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2), which grants Congress the power to manage and regulate federal lands and property. The act of expanding a National Park falls under this enumerated power. The bill also includes provisions for compensating landowners, which aligns with the Fifth Amendment's Takings Clause, requiring just compensation for private property taken for public use.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).