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Legislative bills

Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act Introduced in Congress

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) and U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have introduced the Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act in the House and U.S. Senate, respectively, to expand Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky's Second District. The legislation aims to protect wildlife, preserve cultural heritage, and increase tourism to the park. The bill authorizes the expansion of the park by 980 acres, including the Green River watershed, and allows the Mammoth Cave National Park Service to acquire critical habitat land from The Nature Conservancy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act seeks to expand the park by 980 acres, including the Green River watershed.
  • The legislation includes the coordinates 135/177, 967 in Edmonson and Barren counties, which would be part of the expanded park.
  • The property includes numerous cave passages, including Coach Cave and James Cave, that have prehistoric and historic artifacts that the National Park System can conserve and manage.
  • The Nature Conservancy, currently in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is selling critical habitat land to the Mammoth Cave National Park Service.
  • Tourism to Mammoth Cave National Park created $69.2 million in economic benefits in 2021, and expansion of this land is expected to increase its economic impact on the community.
  • The bill allows for the acquisition of specific land to put cultural heritage artifacts and habitats under the care and expertise of the Mammoth Cave National Park Service.
  • Congressmen Guthrie and McConnell are partnering on this effort to expand the park for National Park Service employees and volunteers to conserve and people to enjoy for generations to come.

Statistics:

  • 980 acres of land expansion
  • $69.2 million in economic benefits generated by tourism to Mammoth Cave National Park in 2021
  • Coordinates 135/177, 967 in Edmonson and Barren counties included in the expanded park
  • 2 cave passages (Coach Cave and James Cave) with prehistoric and historic artifacts

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives -- Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02)
  • U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  • Mammoth Cave National Park
  • Contify.com

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