The Georgia congressional delegation has introduced legislation to protect the ancestral lands of the Muscogee tribe by creating the Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve, which would be Georgia’s first national park. The proposed park would include mounds and other cultural or historic sites significant to the Muscogee, with the goal of preserving the rich cultural history, natural resources, and recreational opportunities of the area. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, who were forcibly removed to Oklahoma 200 years ago, would be actively involved in co-managing the park, making it the first national park co-managed by a removed tribe.
Principal Chief David W. Hill of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation expressed support for the legislation, stating that the Ocmulgee Mounds and the surrounding area hold historical significance for the tribe. The proposed park and preserve have received widespread support after years of coalition building and federal review, with no significant opposition to federal management of the land in the central Georgia region. The National Park Service would manage the federally controlled land, while Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources would continue to manage state wildlife areas outside the park boundary, allowing for activities like hunting and fishing.
The map submitted by Sen. Jon Ossoff outlines a patchwork of state, federal, and privately protected land, including areas near Robins Air Force Base. Various stakeholders, including the military, are involved in the planning process to prevent development that could impact flight paths for planes. The legislation prohibits the use of eminent domain to acquire additional privately held land within the park boundary but authorizes the secretary of the interior to acquire property through sale, donation, or exchange. This bipartisan effort by Georgia representatives, led by Rep. Sanford Bishop and supported by other lawmakers, aims to elevate the Ocmulgee Mounds to its rightful place as a national park and preserve.
The Ocmulgee Mounds, which include the Earth Lodge where indigenous people held council meetings for centuries until their removal in the 1820s, were initially protected as a national monument by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Designating the area as a national park and preserve would provide broader protections and more cultural and historical information to visitors. The involvement of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in co-managing the park emphasizes the importance of preserving the rich heritage of the area and recognizing the historical significance of the land to the tribe. The legislation demonstrates a collaborative effort among various stakeholders to establish the Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve as a landmark that honors the past and provides educational and recreational opportunities for future generations.
