Guthrie, McConnell Introduce Bill To Expand Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park Entrance on KY HWY 70 in Edmonson County.

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
Congressman Brett Guthrie and U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell  introduced the Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act in the House and U.S. Senate, respectively. This bill would expand Mammoth Cave National Park to protect wildlife, preserve cultural heritage, and bring more tourism to this national park in Kentucky’s Second District.

The legislation authorizes 980 acres of land expansion that includes the Green River watershed and the expansion on the southern boundary specifically includes the coordinates 135/177, 967 in Edmonson and Barren counties.

“As the world's longest known cave system full of biodiversity and history, Mammoth Cave National Park is not only a treasure to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, but also a treasure to the entire world, Rep. Guthrie stated in a press release. "After discussions with Mammoth Cave National Park leadership and the local community, I introduced a bill to allow the park to acquire specific land to put cultural heritage artifacts and habitats under the care and expertise of the Mammoth Cave National Park Service. I’m proud to partner with Leader McConnell on this effort to expand Mammoth Cave National Park for National Park Service employees and volunteers to conserve and people to enjoy for generations to come,” said Guthrie.

The legislation also allows the Mammoth Cave National Park Service to acquire critical habitat land owned by The Nature Conservancy that specialists with Mammoth Cave National Park are equipped to maintain. The Nature Conservancy is currently in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Private property owners are said not to be affected in the expansion.

“Kentucky is lucky to be home to an abundance of natural treasures, among them, Mammoth Cave National Park, said Senator McConnell in a released statement. "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 property, which begins near Park Mammoth in Edmonson County, includes numerous cave passages, including Coach Cave and James Cave in the Park City area, that have prehistoric and historic artifacts that the National Park System can conserve and manage, according to Rep. Guthrie's office.