Bill > S1516

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a comprehensive special resource study of the Cahokia Mounds, Emerald Mounds, and Pulcher Mounds in Illinois, with the goal of evaluating their national significance and potential for inclusion in the National Park System. The bill begins by highlighting the historical importance of Cahokia, a pre-Columbian urban center that existed from approximately 700-1400 AD, which was the largest and most sophisticated city north of Mexico during its peak, covering nearly 6 square miles and housing 10,000-20,000 people. The study will evaluate the national significance of these archaeological sites, determine their suitability for becoming a national park unit, and explore alternative methods of preservation and interpretation through federal, state, local, or nonprofit entities. The Secretary is required to consult with various interested parties, identify cost estimates for potential federal involvement, and submit a comprehensive report to congressional committees within three years of receiving funding. The mounds are already recognized as a National Historic Landmark, an Illinois State Historic Site, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which underscores their cultural and historical importance to understanding the Mississippian culture and its contributions to North American prehistory.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1516/all-info