HR 4656
Path to Florida Springs National Park Act
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Bill overview
This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine if establishing Florida Springs National Park in Central and North Florida is feasible and suitable. The study will evaluate the area’s national significance, consider various preservation options, and estimate associated costs. The study’s findings and recommendations will be reported to Congress.
Key provisions
- Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study.
- Defines the study area as approximately 2,800 square miles in Central and North Florida.
- Requires the study to evaluate the area’s national significance and feasibility for National Park System designation.
- Mandates consultation with various stakeholders, including federal, state, and local entities, and private organizations.
- Requires cost estimates for potential federal acquisition, development, and maintenance.
- Sets a 3-year deadline for the Secretary to submit a report to Congress.
- Specifies the study should follow relevant sections of the United States Code.
Who is affected
- The Secretary of the Interior
- Florida residents
- Federal agencies
- State and local governments
- Environmental organizations
Notable changes
- This bill initiates a formal process to explore the possibility of designating a significant portion of Florida’s springs and surrounding areas as a National Park.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 4656
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing Florida Springs National Park in Central and North Florida, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Path to Florida Springs National Park Act
.
In this Act:
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
The term study area means approximately 2,800 square miles of land in Florida located south of Jacksonville, north of Orlando, and east of Gainesville.
The term study area includes—
Ocala National Forest;
Lake Disston Park.
In conducting the study under subsection (b), the Secretary shall—
evaluate the national significance of the study area;
determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Park System;
consider other alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation of the study area by the Federal Government, State or local government entities, or private and nonprofit organizations;
consult with interested Federal agencies, State or local governmental entities, private and nonprofit organizations, or any other interested individuals; and
identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with the alternatives described in paragraphs (2) and (3).
The study required under subsection (b) shall be conducted in accordance with section 100507 of title 54, United States Code.
Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out the study under subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that describes—
the results of the study; and
any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.