A bipartisan bill to make the Ocmulgee Mounds Georgia’s first and only national park and preserve was reintroduced Wednesday after an effort in 2024 didn’t ultimately make it through Congress.
Democratic Sens. Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock, and Reps. Sanford Bishop (D, GA-02) and Austin Scott (R, GA-08) introduced the legislation.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed the bill last November, making important progress in the push to establish Georgia’s first national park and preserve. But the bill was a part of a larger public lands package that didn’t fully pass in either Congress chamber and ultimately didn’t get included in a package of legislation that temporarily funded the government through mid-March.
“We made unprecedented progress last Congress toward creating Georgia’s first ever National Park,” Ossoff said. “I look forward to working alongside Congressman Scott, Senator Reverend Warnock, Congressman Bishop, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and local leaders to successfully establish Georgia’s first national park.”
The region is the ancestral home of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, which has been involved in this process and supports the bill. The Muskogean people constructed mounds around 900 CE.
“The opportunity to make the historic Ocmulgee Mounds a national park is so important to us because we have been included, we have been shown the respect of collaboration, and because of that we can feel confident that the living history that will be told here is authentic and has the power to elevate Georgia forever,” said David Hill, principal chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. “We are thrilled to continue offering our support for this legislation every step of the way.”
The bill has a wide range of support across the state from multiple chambers of commerce, conservation organizations, and hunters and anglers.
In addition to conservation benefits, the national park and preserve also would uplift and elevate the Middle Georgia economy, expand hunting and fishing access and preserve “some of the most culturally significant sites in the country,” according to Seth Clark, Macon mayor pro tempore and executive director of the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative.
“The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce has long seen the national and park and preserve designation as a top congressional priority,” said Jessica Walden, president and CEO of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce. “Getting this done this year is vital to the economic viability and stability of middle Georgia.
“Being home to Georgia’s first and only national park and preserve will create a better business climate, allow for lower taxes, and create thousands of good paying, sustainable jobs.”
The park and preserve would also protect national security interests at Robins Air Force Base, according to Clark.
“Preserving the undeveloped lands within the Ocmulgee River Corridor is critical to safeguarding Robins Air Force Base from incompatible land use, ensuring we can sustain our national security missions,” said Brig. Gen. John C. Kubinec, retired U.S. Air Force member and president and CEO of 21st Century Partnership. “This park and preserve will also provide our military members and their families with valuable opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisure, enhancing their quality of life while strengthening the economic vitality of Middle Georgia.”
The House bill is cosponsored by 11 other members of Georgia’s Congressional Delegation: Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-01), Brian Jack (R-03), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (D-04), Nikema Williams (D-05), Lucy McBath (D-06), Rich McCormick (R-07), Mike Collins (R-10), Barry Loudermilk (R-11), Rick Allen (R-12), David Scott (D-13) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-14).
This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Macon Telegraph.
