U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) on Jan. 3 reintroduced bipartisan legislation to expand and protect a national monument site located in his home state of Georgia.
The Fort Frederica National Monument Boundary Expansion Act, H.R. 114, would increase the maximum number of acres that may be included in the monument site on St. Simons Island, Ga., from 250 acres to 305 acres.
“This legislation is critical to ensure the Park Service is able to protect this important historical landmark for the future,” said Rep. Carter, who has been joined by seven cosponsors from Georgia, including U.S. Reps. Doug Collins (R-GA) and John Lewis (D-GA).
Current statutory limits require legislation be passed that would expand the authorized boundary and remove the 250-acre ceiling established by Congress in 1958, according to a statement released on Thursday by Rep. Carter’s office.
H.R. 114 also would permit the National Park Service (NPS) to buy or receive donated land and interests within the monument site only from those willing to sell or donate additional land for inclusion, according to the Jan. 10 statement.
The NPS is now assessing nearby areas for inclusion in the Fort Frederica National Monument site, including the fort, ruins of a soldiers’ barracks and other trails, according to Carter’s statement, which noted that the areas were used previously by the British Town of Frederica, founded in 1736 by Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe.
In 2017, Rep. Carter and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) introduced the bicameral, bipartisan same-named bill, H.R. 494/S. 137, which passed the House and was considered by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee during the 115th Congress.
The newly introduced H.R. 114 has been referred to the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee for consideration.
Rep. Carter also said on Jan. 10 that Sen. Isakson last week reintroduced an identical bill to H.R. 114 in the Senate.
“I am pleased to again introduce this legislation with Senator Isakson to preserve the history and legacy of our area for Georgians and visitors for many generations to come,” said Rep. Carter.