S. 32Senate116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument Act

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Updated April 13, 2026 at 11:56 PM UTC

The Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument Act would designate the Mill Springs Battlefield in Kentucky as a new National Park Service unit, preserving its Civil War historic resources for current and future generations. The monument can be created once the Interior Secretary confirms enough land has been secured, and it will be managed under existing National Park System rules with a required management plan. The law also clarifies that private property rights remain unchanged and no buffer zones are established 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 set by a specific map, and the Secretary may acquire land within those boundaries only through donation, purchase from willing sellers, or exchange.
The Secretary must develop a general management plan within three years of receiving funding and submit it to the relevant House and Senate committees.
The act protects private property rights, stating it does not affect land‑use rights of owners inside or near the monument, and it does not create any buffer zones outside the monument.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

January 8, 2019

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 8, 2019

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

January 8, 2019

Floor Debate

3 members

What members said about S. 32 on the floor

2 Republicans1 Democrat

Sen. Jack ReedD-RI · Jan 8, 2019

Mr. President, today I am once again introducing, along with my colleagues Senator Whitehouse, Senator Blumenthal, and Senator Murphy, legislation to designate river segments within the Wood-…

Mr. President, today I am once again introducing, along with my colleagues Senator Whitehouse, Senator Blumenthal, and Senator Murphy, legislation to designate river segments within the Wood- Pawcatuck watershed as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Following more than three years of intense study, this legislation would formally recognize the recreational, natural, and historical qualities of portions of the Beaver, Chipuxet, Green Fall-Ashaway, Pawcatuck, Queen-Usquepaugh, Shunock, and Wood Rivers that flow through Rhode Island and Connecticut while providing access to Federal resources and promoting strong partnerships for their restoration and protection.

The Wood-Pawcatuck watershed is a National treasure that not only holds natural and scenic value, but also is an important economic driver for the area. Indeed, the 12 local river communities experience direct economic benefits from their proximity to these rivers through increased recreation and tourism. The watershed provides many opportunities for visitors to explore history and experience nature, including viewing early industrial mill ruins, trout fishing, bird watching, and kayaking.

I have long been a supporter of protecting and restoring these special rivers, which is why I sponsored the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Protection Act in 2013. The process that was initiated by that law has been a critical tool for bringing together stakeholders from Rhode Island and Connecticut including representatives from State agencies, local governments, and conservation groups in order to develop a collaborative path forward. The resulting Stewardship Plan, which has been formally adopted by the study committee and is supported by all twelve local river communities, builds upon currently existing efforts to preserve and manage the river ecosystems while also considering what steps will need to be taken collectively in the future in order to protect them.

I would like to commend Representatives Langevin, Cicilline, and Courtney for again introducing companion legislation. In October 2018 we commemorated the 50th anniversary of the landmark Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and I am proud that after all these years we are continuing our work to protect such extraordinary places. I look forward to working with all of my colleagues to pass this legislation so that we can preserve the rivers of the Wood-Pawcatuck watershed for the enjoyment of current and future generations.

Sen. Mitch McConnellR-KY · Jan 8, 2019

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Sen. Steve DainesR-MT · Jan 8, 2019

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Sen. Mitch McConnellR-KY · Jan 8, 2019

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued January 8, 2019

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 32

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 8, 2019

Mr. McConnell introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and 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.

Short title

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

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.

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.