In a bipartisan push to honor historical land, Georgia lawmakers have taken a step to immortalize the Muscogee tribe's ancestral grounds by proposing the creation of the Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve. Georgia’s legislative collective, crafting bills aiming to establish what would become the state's first national park, turned their attention to the area ribboned along the Ocmulgee River near Macon. According to WABE, the region holds the culturally significant mounds and historical sites highly esteemed by the Muscogee people.
The current protected region spans roughly 700 acres and envelops seven mounds, a federal protection dating back to 1936. The not-so-modest expansion of the park would stretch across many more miles along the riverbank, with areas already benefiting from various protection levels. It's a crucial milestone that holds the potent promise to carefully start to restore, not to mention co-manage, lands of deep cultural and historical relevance in consultation with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, who faced forced removal to Oklahoma around two centuries ago.
"The Ocmulgee Mounds, Ocmulgee River, and all of middle Georgia hold historical significance to The Muscogee (Creek) Nation," Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David W. Hill expressed in a release noted by WABE. "We are ready to help preserve and co-manage the land which holds the rich cultural history, natural resources, and recreational opportunities that a National Park and Preserve will bring to Georgia."
Cross-party support signifies a robust backing for the legislative move, making it a political no-brainer when faced with the usually contentious arena of land management. Even hunting and fishing, deeply ingrained in Georgia tradition, are supposed to continue seamlessly, while The National Park Service will oversee the journal of federal land stewardship. A handy collaboration with Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources ensures state wildlife areas just outside the boundaries won't go unchecked. From the military’s vested interest in thwarting restrictive developmental creep for flight paths adjacent to Robins Air Force Base, to legislative assurances against the use of eminent domain tactics on private lands, the bill strikes to comprehensively address various stakeholder concerns, fostering a unified front.
Thirteen Georgia representatives, including conservative Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, are part of a significant political gathering. Representative Austin Scott emphasized the cultural, communal, and economic importance of the Ocmulgee Mounds to the state. This collaboration between government officials from different parties reflects a progressive approach, showing respect for cultural heritage and acknowledging past mistakes. It's more than just talk; Georgia Democrats like Representative Sanford Bishop and Senator Jon Ossoff are actively involved, demonstrating a departure from typical political dynamics towards a more cooperative and respectful approach, as reported by WABE.
