Ocmulgee Mounds Park Proposal Advances in Congress
In a significant step towards establishing Georgia’s first national park, a proposal to create Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve advanced through the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Tuesday. The initiative, backed by a bipartisan group of Georgia lawmakers, aims to establish protections for the historic site located near Macon, Georgia.
Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat and the bill’s lead sponsor, expressed optimism about the progress, stating, “This is historic and unprecedented, but more work remains.” The proposal has been in the works for nearly a century, honoring the site’s deep historical significance, which spans thousands of years and includes Native American cultures. The mounds at Ocmulgee date back to around 900 A.D., with artifacts retrieved indicating human activity as far back as 10,000 BC.
The legislation has garnered additional momentum as a companion House bill also received a hearing the same day. Congressman Austin Scott, the lead sponsor in the House, emphasized the proposal’s potential benefits, including supporting public hunting and fishing rights while protecting private property. He underscored the park’s economic advantages for central Georgia and its role in bolstering national security due to its proximity to Robins Air Force Base.
Macon-Bibb County Mayor Pro Tempore Seth Clark also testified, highlighting the critical partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense for the project’s viability. If enacted, this national park would be a relatively small addition to Georgia, where only 5% of land is federally registered, yet it promises to make a significant economic impact on the region.
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Photo credit georgiarecorder.com
