Back in 2017 U.S. Reps. Sanford Bishop and Austin Scott co-sponsored the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park Boundary Revision Act, which sought to expand and give federal protections to the Ocmulgee Mounds just outside of Macon. The site contains thousands of years of historical artifacts from the Appalachian Mississippian culture, the Native Americans who lived in Georgia long before the arrival of Europeans and whose descendants include the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole tribes, many of whom are still active in the area. The legislation passed Congress and kicked off a study period by the National Parks Service, which is close to completion. Should NPS sign off then new legislation could be drawn up to officially create the United States’ 64th National Park, granting it additional federal funding and protections and driving tourism to Bibb County. Supporters are hopeful that with a concerted effort from Georgia legislators in D.C. that the process could come to pass later this year.
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