July 23, 2025
Mr. Fine introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing Florida Springs National Park in Central and North Florida, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Path to Florida Springs National Park Act
.
Sec. 2. Special Resource Study
(a) Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
(2) Study area
(A) In general
The term study area means approximately 2,800 square miles of land in Florida located south of Jacksonville, north of Orlando, and east of Gainesville.
(B) Inclusion
The term study area includes—
(i)
Ocala National Forest;
(ii)
Lake George, Relay, Tiger Bay, Seminole Forest (Lake Tracy Unit), Rock Springs Run, Marshall Swamp, Ocala (Lake Delancy and Church Lake Units), Belmore, Camp Blanding, Ocklawaha River, and Grove Park Wilderness Management Areas;
(iii)
Lake George, Heart Island, Rice Creek, Hull Swamp, Crescent Lake, Lochloosa Wildlife, Clark Bay, Silver Springs Forest, Newnans Lake, Murphy Creek, Horseshoe Point, Moses Creek, and Pellicer Creek Conservation Areas;
(iv)
Lake George, Tiger Bay, Seminole, Etoniah Creek, Jennings, and Matanzas State Forests, and Indian Lake State Forest Campground;
(v)
Lower Wekiva River Preserve, Dunns Creek, Haw Creek Preserve, Paynes Prairie Preserve, De León Springs, Blue Spring, and Faver Dykes State Parks;
(vi)
Longleaf Pine Preserve, Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area, Deep Creek Preserve, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, and Princess Place; and
(vii)
Lake Disston Park.
(b) In general
The Secretary shall conduct a special resource study of the study area.
(c) Contents
In conducting the study under subsection (b), 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 the Federal Government, State or local government entities, or private and nonprofit organizations;
(4)
consult with interested Federal agencies, State or local governmental entities, private and nonprofit organizations, or any other interested individuals; and
(5)
identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with the alternatives described in paragraphs (2) and (3).
(d) Applicable Law
The study required under subsection (b) shall be conducted in accordance with section 100507 of title 54, United States Code.
(e) Report
Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out the study under subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that describes—
(1)
the results of the study; and
(2)
any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.