S. 2780 — Introduced in Senate

II 113th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2780 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 9, 2014Mr. McConnell introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to evaluate the significance of the Mill Springs Battlefield located in Pulaski and Wayne Counties, Kentucky, and the feasibility of its inclusion in the National Park System, and for other purposes. 1. Battle of Mill Springs study (a) Findings Congress finds as follows: (1) In 1994, the Mills Springs Battlefield in Pulaski and Wayne Counties in Kentucky was designated as a National Historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior. (2) The Battle of Mill Springs was the first significant Union victory in the western theater of the Civil War. (3) The outcome of the Battle of Mill Springs, along with Union victories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson paved the way for a major battle at Shiloh, Tennessee. (4) In 1991, the National Park Service placed the Mill Springs Battlefield on a list of endangered battlefields, noting the impact of this battle to the course of the Civil War. (5) In 1992, the Mill Springs Battlefield Association formed, and utilizing Federal, State, and local support has managed to preserve important tracts of the battlefield, construct an interactive visitor center, and educate the public about this historic event. (6) There is strong community interest in incorporating the Mill Springs Battlefield into the National Park Service. (7) The Mill Springs Battlefield Association has expressed its desire to give the preserved battlefield as a gift to the United States. (b) Definitions For purposes of this Act: (1) Mill springs battlefield The term Mill Springs Battlefield means the area encompassed by the National Historic Landmark designations relating to the 1862 Battle of Mill Springs located in the counties of Pulaski and Wayne in Kentucky. (2) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior. (c) Study Not later than 3 years from the date funds are made available, the Secretary shall conduct a special resource study to evaluate the significance of the Mill Springs Battlefield in Kentucky, and the feasibility of its inclusion in the National Park System. (d) Criteria for study The Secretary shall conduct the study authorized by this Act in accordance with section 8(b) of Public Law 91–383 (16 U.S.C. 1a–5(b)). (e) Content of study The study shall include an analysis of the following: (1) The significance of the Battle of Mill Springs to the outcome of the Civil War. (2) Opportunities for public education about the Civil War in Kentucky. (3) Operational issues that should be considered if the National Park System were to incorporate the Mill Springs Battlefield. (4) The feasibility of administering the Mill Springs Battlefield considering its size, configuration, and other factors, to include an annual cost estimate. (5) The economic, educational, and other impacts the inclusion of Mill Springs Battlefield into the National Park System would have on the surrounding communities in Pulaski and Wayne Counties. (6) The effect of the designation of the Mill Springs Battlefield as a unit of the National Park System on— (A) existing commercial and recreational activities, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting, and on the authorization, construction, operation, maintenance, or improvement of energy production and transmission infrastructure; and (B) the authority of State and local governments to manage those activities. (7) The identification of any authorities, including condemnation, that will compel or permit the Secretary to influence or participate in local land use decisions (such as zoning) or place restrictions on non-Federal lands if the Mill Springs Battlefield is designated as a unit of the National Park System. (f) Notification of private property owners Upon commencement of the study, owners of private property adjacent to the battlefield will be notified of the study’s commencement and scope. (g) Submission of report Upon completion of the study, the Secretary shall submit a report on the findings of the study to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.