Salem Maritime National Historical Park Redesignation and Boundary Study Act

# Salem Maritime National Historical Park Redesignation and Boundary Study Act **What the Bill Does** This bill makes two main changes to Salem Maritime in Massachusetts. First, it upgrades the site's official designation from a "National Historic Site" to a "National Historical Park"—a largely administrative change that reflects its importance. Second, it requires the Department of the Interior to study whether nearby areas related to Salem's maritime, coastal defense, and military history should be added to the park system. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The bill primarily affects the Salem Maritime site in Massachusetts and the local community.

The boundary study will evaluate which nearby historical sites and resources warrant inclusion in the national park, potentially expanding the protected area. The study itself is the key provision—it doesn't automatically add new land but rather investigates what could be included and whether it's practical to do so. **Current Status** The bill was signed into law, meaning it is now official. As law, the Interior Department will proceed with conducting and reporting on the boundary study as specified.