In what may be the ultimate example of a lame-duck session for Congress, legislation is still moving. The bipartisan Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve Establishment Act passed its last committee vote before moving to the U.S. Senate for full consideration. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources voted to move the bill forward, powered by support from both of Georgia’s senators but also U.S. Reps. Austin Scott, R-GA, and Sanford Bishop, D-GA.
“This is historic and unprecedented progress toward establishing Georgia’s first National Park, but more work remains ahead,” U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-GA, said. “I’m grateful to Congressman Scott, Congressman Bishop, and Senator Warnock for their partnership, as well the extraordinary efforts of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Macon-Bibb County Mayor Pro Tem Seth Clark, and local leaders for their years of hard work, advocacy, and leadership.”
The bill would officially establish the Ocmulgee Mounds and surrounding areas as a National Park and Preserve, expanding protections to the existing National Park Service property there but also the new land that would become part of the project.
Over in the House, the bill still has a little way to go. The House Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a hearing on the bill, which featured testimony from respected representatives Scott and Bishop.
“This hearing was further progress in making history by establishing Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve,” Scott said. “I appreciate the Federal Lands Subcommittee listening to Middle Georgians about this greatly supported effort to preserve the Ocmulgee Mounds and surrounding areas for generations to come.”
If ultimately passed, when combined with the Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge to the south, some 10,000 acres of contiguous land along the Ocmulgee River would be protected. The land stretches from just outside downtown Macon to the east, all the way south to middle of Robins Air Force Base to the east of Warner Robins.
“The impact of this bipartisan and bicameral bill to create Georgia’s first national park and preserve will allow our ancestral Muscogee descendants to help tell the story of our homelands,” said Muscogee (Creek) Principal Chief David Hill. “We know the importance of these cultural lands and are excited to partner with Middle Georgians to help reconcile our lands and our stories. I am always humbled to be back in the lands of our people and know that we are still here today carrying on our Muscogee ways.”
Another piece of the Ocmulgee National Park puzzle in its favor is its location adjacent to Robins Air Force Base. Humongous, important military bases like to have a little extra space and the Defense Department is putting a priority on both being a good neighbor and preserving their adjacent space. Oftentimes, that adjacent space can become a useable greenspace, and the potential Ocmulgee park could be a perfect example.
“We’re thrilled to see Congress making progress on protecting the encroachment zone of Robins Air Force Base by moving the bipartisan and bicameral Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Act forward,” said Ret. Brigadier General John C. Kubinec, CEO of the 21st Century Partnership and former Commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex at Robins Air Force Base.
