H.R. 240 – Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:03 AM UTC

The Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument Act would establish a new National Park Service unit at the Mill Springs Battlefield in Kentucky. It sets up the monument to protect and interpret the historic Civil War site, outlines how the land can be acquired, and requires a management plan. The law also makes clear that private property rights remain unchanged and that no buffer zones are created around the monument.

Key Provisions

Creates the Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument in Kentucky as a unit of the National Park System to preserve and interpret the historic Civil War battlefield.
The monument is established only after the Secretary of the Interior determines that enough land or land interests have been acquired to form a manageable park unit.
The monument’s boundaries are defined by a specific map, which must be publicly available for inspection.
Land for the monument can be added only through donation, purchase from a willing seller using donated or appropriated funds, or exchange, and must be within the mapped boundary.
The Secretary of the Interior, via the National Park Service, must manage the monument according to existing National Park laws and must develop a general management plan within three years of receiving funding, then submit it to the relevant congressional committees.
The act does not affect the land‑use rights of private property owners near the monument and does not create any buffer zones outside the monument’s boundaries.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

February 5, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 4, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

January 4, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

February 5, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 4, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 240

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 4, 2019

Mr. Rogers of Kentucky introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To establish the Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument in the State of Kentucky as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument Act.

2.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Map

The term Map means the map entitled Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, Nancy, Kentucky, numbered 297/145513, and dated June 2018.

(2)

Monument

The term Monument means the Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument established by section 3(a)(1).

(3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service.

3.

Establishment of mill springs battlefield national monument

(a)

Establishment

(1)

In general

Subject to paragraph (2), there is established as a unit of the National Park System, the Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument in the State of Kentucky, to preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit of present and future generations—

(A)

the nationally significant historic resources of the Mill Springs Battlefield; and

(B)

the role of the Mill Springs Battlefield in the Civil War.

(2)

Determination by the Secretary

The Monument shall not be established until the date on which the Secretary determines that a sufficient quantity of land or interests in land has been acquired to constitute a manageable park unit.

(3)

Notice

Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary makes a determination under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register notice of the establishment of the Monument.

(4)

Boundary

The boundary of the Monument shall be as generally depicted on the Map.

(5)

Availability of map

The Map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

(6)

Acquisition authority

The Secretary may only acquire land or an interest in land located within the boundary of the Monument by—

(A)

donation;

(B)

purchase from a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds; or

(C)

exchange.

(b)

Administration

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall administer the Monument in accordance with—

(A)

this Act; and

(B)

the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including—

(i)

section 100101(a), chapter 1003, and sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of title 54, United States Code; and

(ii)

chapter 3201 of title 54, United States Code.

(2)

Management plan

(A)

In general

Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to prepare a general management plan for the Monument, the Secretary shall prepare the general management plan in accordance with section 100502 of title 54, United States Code.

(B)

Submission to congress

On completion of the general management plan, 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 the general management plan.

(c)

Private property protection

Nothing in this Act affects the land use rights of private property owners within or adjacent to the Monument.

(d)

No buffer zones

(1)

In general

Nothing in this Act, the establishment of the Monument, or the management of the Monument creates a buffer zone outside the Monument.

(2)

Activity or use outside Monument

The fact that an activity or use can be seen, heard, or detected from within the Monument shall not preclude the conduct of the activity or use outside the Monument.