Salem Maritime Park Redesignation Act

Summary#

This bill would rename the Salem Maritime National Historic Site to the "Salem Maritime National Historical Park." It also says that any legal or official reference to the old name should be treated as a reference to the new name.

The Secretary of the Interior must carry out a boundary study of Salem and its vicinity. The study will look at whether it is suitable and feasible to include sites and resources in the National Park System as part of the redesigned park. The study will focus on the area's maritime history, coastal defenses, and military history (including National Guard and militia activity). The study area specifically includes Salem, Massachusetts, and the Salem Armory Visitor Center building and adjacent Salem Armory Park. The Secretary must send a report with the study results, findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources within 3 years after funds are made available for the study.

What it means for you#

• The park's official name would change; laws and documents that use the old name would be treated as using the new name.
• The Interior Department must study whether nearby sites in Salem could become part of the park. The bill itself does not add land to the park; it only requires the study and a report.
• The study could lead to future recommendations that might affect visitors, local sites, or preservation, but the bill only requires evaluating suitability and feasibility.

Expenses#

The bill requires a funded study and a report due within 3 years after funds are made available to conduct the study. No publicly available information on expected costs, appropriations, or funding levels for the study or any related actions.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.