S. 3715 – Chiricahua National Park Act

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Updated September 23, 2026 at 4:53 AM UTC

The Chiricahua National Park Act would rename the existing Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona as a National Park, keeping the same land boundaries. It places the park under the Interior Department’s Secretary, who must manage it according to current National Park laws. The bill also adds protections for tribal cultural and religious sites, requiring consultation with tribes and allowing limited, temporary closures of park areas for tribal use.

Key Provisions

Changes the Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona into "Chiricahua National Park" and keeps the same boundaries as the monument at the time the law is passed.
Makes the Secretary of the Interior responsible for running the new park, following existing presidential proclamations and the usual National Park System laws.
Requires the Secretary to protect any traditional cultural or religious sites in the park and to consult with Indian tribes about that protection.
Gives tribal members the right to use those cultural sites for traditional purposes and lets a tribe ask the Secretary to temporarily close part of the park to the public to protect those uses.
If an area is closed, the Secretary must keep the closure as small and as short as possible.
Defines “Indian tribe” according to the Indian Self‑Determination and Education Assistance Act and defines “Secretary” as the Secretary of the Interior.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions

SenateCalendars Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 667.

September 17, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 28, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

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

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

January 28, 2026

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

July 29, 2026

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

September 17, 2026

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 667.

September 17, 2026

Bill Text

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Reported to SenateIssued September 17, 2026

II

Calendar No. 667

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 3715

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 28, 2026

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

September 17, 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 establish the Chiricahua National Park in the State of Arizona as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Chiricahua National Park Act.

2.

Designation of Chiricahua National Park, Arizona

(a)

Designation

(1)

In general

The Chiricahua National Monument in the State of Arizona established by Presidential Proclamation 1692 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note; 43 Stat. 1946) shall be known and designated as Chiricahua National Park (referred to in this Act as the National Park).

(2)

Boundaries

The boundaries of the National Park shall be the boundaries of the Chiricahua National Monument as of the date of enactment of this Act, as generally depicted on the map entitled Chiricahua National Park Proposed Boundary, numbered 145/156,356, and dated March 2021.

(3)

References

Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, or other record of the United States to the Chiricahua National Monument shall be considered to be a reference to the Chiricahua National Park.

(4)

Availability of funds

Any funds available for the Chiricahua National Monument shall be available for the National Park.

(b)

Administration

The Secretary of the Interior shall administer the National Park in accordance with—

(1)

Presidential Proclamation 1692 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note; 43 Stat. 1946);

(2)

Presidential Proclamation 2288 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note; 52 Stat. 1551); and

(3)

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

(A)

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

(B)

chapter 3201 of title 54, United States Code.

3.

Traditional cultural and religious sites

(a)

Protection of sites

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall ensure the protection of traditional cultural and religious sites in the National Park in accordance with the laws generally applicable to—

(A)

the National Park Service; and

(B)

units of the National Park System.

(2)

Consultation

In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with Indian Tribes in accordance with laws applicable to the protection of cultural and religious sites.

(b)

Access

(1)

In general

The Secretary, in accordance with Public Law 95–341 (42 U.S.C. 1996 et seq.)—

(A)

shall provide access to the sites described in subsection (a)(1) by members of Indian Tribes for traditional cultural and customary uses; and

(B)

may, on request of an Indian Tribe, temporarily close to general public use one or more specific areas of the National Park to protect traditional cultural and customary uses in the area by members of the Indian Tribe.

(2)

Limitation

In closing a portion of a designated area under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall limit the closure to the smallest practicable area for the minimum period necessary for the traditional cultural and religious activities.

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Indian Tribe

The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Chiricahua National Park Act.

2.

Designation of Chiricahua National Park, Arizona

(a)

Designation

(1)

In general

The Chiricahua National Monument in the State of Arizona established by Presidential Proclamation 1692 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note; 43 Stat. 1946) shall be known and designated as Chiricahua National Park (referred to in this Act as the National Park).

(2)

Boundaries

The boundaries of the National Park shall be the boundaries of the Chiricahua National Monument as of the date of enactment of this Act, as generally depicted on the map entitled Chiricahua National Park Proposed Boundary, numbered 145/156,356, and dated March 2021.

(3)

References

Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, or other record of the United States to the Chiricahua National Monument shall be considered to be a reference to the Chiricahua National Park.

(4)

Availability of funds

Any funds available for the Chiricahua National Monument shall be available for the National Park.

(b)

Administration

The Secretary of the Interior shall administer the National Park in accordance with—

(1)

Presidential Proclamation 1692 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note; 43 Stat. 1946);

(2)

Presidential Proclamation 2288 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note; 52 Stat. 1551); and

(3)

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

(A)

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

(B)

chapter 3201 of title 54, United States Code.

3.

Traditional cultural and religious sites

(a)

Protection of sites

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall ensure the protection of traditional cultural and religious sites in the National Park in accordance with the laws (including regulations) applicable to the Secretary.

(2)

Consultation

In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with Indian Tribes in accordance with laws applicable to the protection of cultural and religious sites.

(b)

Access

(1)

In general

The Secretary, in accordance with Public Law 95–341 (42 U.S.C. 1996 et seq.)—

(A)

shall provide access to the sites described in subsection (a)(1) by members of Indian Tribes for traditional cultural and customary uses; and

(B)

may, on request of an Indian Tribe, temporarily close to general public use one or more specific areas of the National Park to protect traditional cultural and customary uses in the area by members of the Indian Tribe.

(2)

Limitation

In closing a portion of a designated area under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall limit the closure to the smallest practicable area for the minimum period necessary for the traditional cultural and religious activities.

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Indian Tribe

The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

September 17, 2026

Reported with an amendment