Joshua Tree National Park Expansion Act
This bill, titled the Joshua Tree National Park Expansion Act, would expand the boundary of Joshua Tree National Park by adding about 20,149 acres of land that are shown on a dedicated map dated June 2024. The land would shift administrative control from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to the National Park Service (NPS). It would authorize the Interior Secretary to acquire additional land within the expanded boundary through donation, purchase (from a willing seller), exchange, or transfer, with the caveat that California-owned lands inside the expanded boundary could only be acquired by donation or exchange. Additionally, the bill makes a technical correction to a map reference in a separate conservation act and redesignates the Cottonwood Visitor Center as the “Dianne Feinstein Visitor Center,” with all references updated accordingly. In short, the bill would enlarge Joshua Tree National Park, transfer management of the new lands from BLM to NPS, provide specific avenues to acquire additional lands (with a limitation on California land), correct a map reference, and rename a key park facility.
Key Points
- 1Boundary expansion: Adds approximately 20,149 acres to Joshua Tree National Park, based on a map titled “Joshua Tree National Park Proposed Boundary Addition,” dated June 2024.
- 2Administrative transfer: Lands added by the expansion would shift administrative jurisdiction from the Bureau of Land Management to the National Park Service.
- 3Land acquisition authority: The Secretary of the Interior may acquire land within the expanded boundary by donation, purchase from a willing seller, exchange, or transfer.
- 4Acquisition limitation for California lands: Land within the boundary owned by the State of California or California political subdivisions can only be acquired by donation or exchange (not purchase or other means).
- 5Technical correction: Adjusts a map reference in the John Dingell Conservation Act to reflect a corrected parcel identification: from 156/149,375 to 156/149,375A.
- 6Redesignation of a visitor center: The Cottonwood Visitor Center at Joshua Tree National Park will be renamed the “Dianne Feinstein Visitor Center,” with all official references updated accordingly.