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Local official urges federal acquisition to expand Mammoth Cave National Park
Summary
Edmundson County Judge Executive Ronald Scott Lindsey told the subcommittee H.R. 32 86 would let the National Park Service acquire roughly 551 acres (including cave systems) from the Nature Conservancy for just under $1 million, funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund and NPS allocations.
Ronald Scott Lindsey, judge executive of Edmondson County, Kentucky, testified in support of H.R. 32 86, the Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act. Lindsey said the bill would authorize the National Park Service to acquire about 551 acres owned by the Nature Conservancy for incorporation into Mammoth Cave National Park, including cave passages important to endangered bat species and cultural resources.
Lindsey said the property is already under conservation easement, involves no additional private property, and that the purchase price is "just under $1,000,000." He told the committee the acquisition will be funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund along with National Park Service allocations, and that the Nature Conservancy intends to return funds to the imperiled bat conservation fund to support future conservation efforts.
Members asked clarifying questions about ownership, asking whether the Nature Conservancy could gift the land; Lindsey said he could not speak to that and that, to his knowledge, the asking price is just under $1,000,000. He emphasized local economic benefits from park visitation and urged the committee to advance the bill.
