S 4851: Scarper Ridge Golden Gate National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Act of 2024

S 4851 in plain English: This bill expands the boundaries of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to include a specified property located in San Mateo County, California.

Stated purpose

This bill expands the official boundaries of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to include the Scarper Ridge property in San Mateo County, California.

Key points

• Expands the Golden Gate National Recreation Area boundary to add specified land in San Mateo County, California

Arguments supporters make

• Adding Scarper Ridge to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area protects open land near a major urban area, keeping it available for public enjoyment rather than private development.
• Expanding the boundary connects more natural land to an existing protected area, which can improve habitat and environmental health for the region.
• Federal management through the National Park Service can bring dedicated resources and long-term preservation that local or private ownership might not guarantee.

Arguments opponents make

• Bringing privately held or locally managed land under federal jurisdiction reduces local and state control over how the land is used or developed.
• Expanding federal land holdings increases the National Park Service's maintenance and staffing obligations without guaranteed new funding to cover those costs.
• The boundary change could restrict future land-use options for surrounding property owners and communities in San Mateo County.

Tradeoffs

Placing the Scarper Ridge land under federal protection may preserve it for public recreation long-term, but doing so shifts control away from local authorities and may impose new federal costs and land-use restrictions on the area.

Current status in Congress: Passed Senate.

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