Senate Approves Bill to Enhance Battlefield Protection Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, the Senate passed the American Battlefield Protection Program Enhancement Act, a bill aimed at improving the preservation of historic battlefields across the United States. The legislation, part of a broader lands package, now awaits the president’s signature to become law.

“Mississippi is home to some of our nation’s most significant and historic battlefields, and this legislation will make it easier to protect these hallowed grounds for future generations,” said Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.).

The measure updates the National Park Service’s (NPS) American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP), which promotes the conservation of historically significant battlefields. Since its inception, ABPP has helped preserve more than 35,000 acres in 20 states, including sites in Mississippi and Virginia.

Key provisions of the legislation include:

• Permit nonprofits and tribes to apply directly for ABPP grants.  Currently, only state and local governments are eligible to apply for ABPP funding.  
• Ensure Battlefield Restoration Grant funding is available for all battlefields.  ABPP administers four grant programs:  Preservation Planning, Battlefield Land Acquisition, Battlefield Restoration, and Battlefield Interpretation.  Current law only allows land preserved by a Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant to be eligible for a Restoration Grant, which provides funds to return Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War landscapes back to day-of battle conditions in order to enhance the visitor experience.  This provision would remove this requirement and allow properties that were not acquired by a Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant to be eligible for Restoration Grant funding.  This would mean the Vicksburg National Military Park, Corinth Battlefield Unit, and other state- and nonprofit-owned battlefield parks in Mississippi could be eligible for Restoration Grant funding.
• Clarify eligibility of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Sites for Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants (BLAG).  Current law allows battlefields and sites associated with the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 to be eligible for ABPP funding.  This change would clarify that only battlefields are eligible.
• Create a process for expanding and updating historic battlefield boundaries.  Currently, only lands identified in NPS maps are eligible for ABPP Battlefield Land Acquisition funding, and any updates to these maps must be approved by Congress.  This means that if there is new archaeology or research that shows the historic extent of a battlefield is different from original NPS maps, the land cannot be preserved under ABPP.  The bill creates a better process for expanding and updating the historic boundaries of battlefields to make it easier for certain sites to receive ABPP funding.

The bipartisan effort underscores the importance of preserving historical landmarks for public education and future generations. The bill has already passed the House of Representatives and is expected to be signed into law.

For more information on the American Battlefield Protection Program, visit the NPS website.