S. 1516 – Reading Mode

Calendar No. 478

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 1516

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 29, 2025

Mr. Durbin (for himself and Ms. Duckworth) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

July 23, 2026

Reported by Mr. Lee, with an amendment

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the Cahokia Mounds, Emerald Mounds, and Pulcher Mounds in the State of Illinois, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study Act.

Findings

Congress finds that—

(1)

the city of Cahokia—

(A)

was inhabited from approximately A.D. 700 to 1400; and

(B)

at its peak from A.D. 1050 to 1200—

(i)

covered nearly 6 square miles; and

(ii)

was home to 10,000 to 20,000 people;

(2)

more than 120 mounds were built over time at the site of the city of Cahokia;

(3)

the site of the city of Cahokia is named for the Cahokia subtribe of the Illinois Confederation, who moved into the area in the 1600s;

(4)

the city of Cahokia was the central hub and largest city of the Mississippian culture that ruled and traded across half of North America, more than 1,250,000 square miles;

(5)

the city of Cahokia—

(A)

was the first known organized urbanization and government north of Mexico; and

(B)

at its peak, was larger than most European cities, including London;

(6)

some of the Cahokia Mounds, which were built from A.D. 900 to 1400, still stand as earthen monuments and remnants of Mississippian culture, which is the greatest prehistoric ancient culture in North America, the people of which are ancestors to many of today’s First People and Nations; and

(7)

the Cahokia Mounds are designated as—

(A)

a National Historic Landmark;

(B)

an Illinois State Historic Site; and

(C)

a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

(2)

Study area

The term Study Area means—

(A)

the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site;

(B)

the Emerald Mounds in St. Clair County, Illinois; and

(C)

the Pulcher Mounds in Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois.

Special resource study

(a)

Study

The Secretary shall conduct a special resource study of the Study Area.

(b)

Contents

In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—

(1)

evaluate the national significance of the Study Area;

(2)

determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the Study Area as a unit of the National Park System;

(3)

consider other alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation of the Study Area by—

(A)

Federal, State, or local governmental entities; or

(B)

private and nonprofit organizations;

(4)

consult with—

(A)

interested entities of the Federal Government or State or local governmental entities;

(B)

private and nonprofit organizations; or

(C)

any other interested individuals; and

(5)

identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with the alternatives considered under paragraph (3).

(c)

Applicable law

The study required under subsection (a) shall be conducted in accordance with section 100507 of title 54, United States Code.

(d)

Report

Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to conduct the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report containing—

(1)

the results of the study; and

(2)

any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.