By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Mammoth Cave National Park may soon increase its territorial area.
Kentucky Representative Brett Guthrie and Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell have filed “the bicameral Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act,” which would add an additional 551.14 acres of land south of the current national park boundary. The park encompasses 52,830 acres of land, according to the National Park Service.
“Kentucky is lucky to be home to an abundance of natural treasures, among them, Mammoth Cave National Park,” McConnell said. “This extensive cave network has been inspiring Kentuckians and drawing visitors from all corners of the globe for generations. Beyond its role in driving tourism to our Commonwealth, the park also plays a crucial role in the region’s economic growth, supporting good jobs for the people of Kentucky. I’m proud to partner with Congressman Guthrie on this important initiative once again which will expand the critical habitats that the National Park Service protects and preserves in the park.”
The bill would give the secretary of the interior the ability to acquire the land, which is currently owned by the Nature Conservancy and includes cave passages “including Coach and James Caves [that] hold prehistoric and historic artifacts,” a press release states.
“I am proud to introduce the Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act to expand protections for the cave system’s important biodiversity and rich history, ensuring that it can be studied, maintained, and enjoyed by future generations of Americans,” Guthrie said.
A map of the proposed boundary changes can be found here.
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