NPS: Ocmulgee River Corridor examined for National Park designation, feasibility issues arise
The study, which evaluated the 50-mile-long river corridor and adjacent areas between Macon and Hawkinsville, recognizes the area's national importance but indicates challenges in making it a part of the National Park System.
WASHINGTON – The National Park Service (NPS) has completed its evaluation of the Ocmulgee River Corridor for potential inclusion in the National Park System.
The study, which evaluated the 50-mile-long river corridor and adjacent areas between Macon and Hawkinsville, recognizes the area’s national importance but indicates challenges in making it a part of the National Park System.
A NPS news release sent Thursday said the Special Resource Study (SRS), now with Congress, assessed the corridor against four key criteria: national significance, suitability, feasibility and necessity of NPS management. All four criteria must be met for a site to be considered for potential inclusion in the National Park System.
The findings acknowledge the corridor’s historical and environmental importance, meeting the criteria for national significance and suitability, but suggest the feasibility of incorporating the area into the National Park System is currently challenging, primarily due to land acquisition complexities in the vast study area.
Additionally, the NPS says its management is not essential for the corridor’s conservation since major parts are already under the care of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. “In addition, the NPS already has a substantial presence on the north end of the river corridor at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park,” the release stated.
The NPS study suggests collaborative efforts among existing agencies, Tribal nations and private landowners could effectively conserve and enhance public enjoyment of the Ocmulgee River Corridor. It also proposes alternative recognitions like National Heritage Area or National Historic Landmark status to highlight the area’s resources.
“Given the national significance of the cultural resources and the combination of resource values in the Ocmulgee River corridor, the National Park Service and Department of the Interior stand ready to work with Congress to ensure that these resources can be appropriately and best protected,” the release stated.
The Ocmulgee River Corridor, rich in human history dating back to the Paleoindian Period, features diverse wildlife including black bears, alligators and waterfowl, and mostly features bottomland hardwood forests and swamps.
Further details on the study and its implications for the region can be found here.
