A bigger Mammoth Cave National Park? McConnell, Guthrie want to expand park's boundaries

Two members of Kentucky's congressional delegation have put forward a bill that would expand the boundary of Mammoth Cave National Park.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Brett Guthrie and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, would allow the Secretary of the Interior to acquire an extra 980 acres of land beyond the park's current southern boundary in Edmonson and Barren counties to "protect wildlife, preserve cultural heritage, and bring more tourism to this national park in Kentucky’s Second District," according to a Tuesday news release.

“Kentucky is lucky to be home to an abundance of natural treasures, among them, Mammoth Cave National Park. This extensive cave network has been inspiring Kentuckians and drawing visitors from all corners of the globe for generations," McConnell said in the release. "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."

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The bill was also introduced by McConnell during the 2021-2022 assembly when it was referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings were held, but the bill fizzled.

A spokesperson from McConnell's team was not immediately available for comment on the bill's original introduction as of Wednesday afternoon.

"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,” Guthrie said in the release.

The 2023 version of the bill would let Mammoth Cave National Park acquire "critical habitat land" from The Nature Conservancy, allowing specialists from the national park to maintain the property instead, the release said. That includes "numerous cave passages" with "prehistoric and historic artifacts," including the Coach and James caves.

Mammoth Cave generated $69.2 million in 2021, and an expansion would be expected to increase its economic impact, according to the release.

Explore Mammoth Cave: Your guide to a unique Kentucky attraction, world's longest cave

Mammoth Cave is the "longest recorded cave system in the world with more than 400 miles explored and mapped," according to Kentucky Tourism. The attraction draws hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, though the numbers fluctuate. Mammoth Cave saw 663,147 annual recreational visitors in 2022, according to data from the National Park Service.

Contact reporter Rae Johnson at RNJohnson@gannett.com. Follow them on Twitter at @RaeJ_33.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mammoth Cave: Bill would expand Kentucky national park's boundaries