Tuesday, July 28, 2009
A bill to make the Waco Mammoth Site a national monument passed the U.S. House on Monday, bringing Waco leaders’ long-sought goal within reach.
The bill was approved by the House in an 308-74 vote. Congressman Chet Edwards, D-Waco, who sponsored the bill, said he expects the Senate and President Obama will approve the measure by year’s end.
“The Waco Mammoth site is truly an American treasure,” Edwards said after the vote was recorded. “It represents unique living history that deserves to be preserved and protected for the education and enjoyment of families and children throughout Texas and this great nation for many years to come.”
The National Park Service has recommended adding the site to the federal parks system, and a project to protect and display the Ice Age bones is under way, thanks to a community fundraising effort. The site will open to the public this fall.
“If not for the incredible generosity of citizens raising $3.5 million, we would not be on the House floor today,” Edwards said. “That was very impressive to the (NPS), the Secretary of the Interior and members of Congress.”
Under the National Monument designation, the National Park Service would operate the dig area, while the city of Waco would develop the surrounding area for recreational and educational purposes. Baylor University will also remain a partner in the venture.
The city of Waco owns the 105-acre site and, with federal and private dollars, is building a climate-controlled pavilion over the dig area.
Edwards said that once the bill becomes law, he will work to secure appropriations to fund further improvements and operations. The National Park Service has proposed splitting the cost of running the monument, with $300,000 from local sources and $340,000 from the federal government. The city of Waco’s budget for the coming year includes $400,000 for operations, including eight staff, but city officials hope half of that expense can be recouped through admission fees.
Waco mayor Virginia DuPuy said Monday night that the federal government’s stamp of approval will assure tourists that this project has national importance.
“I think this is going to be huge,” DuPuy said. “For the government to say this has national import not only adds credibility, it gives this project significant resources.”
Staff writer Regina Dennis contributed to this story.
jbsmith@wacotrib.com
757-5752
Comments
By Don
Oct 8, 2009 10:26 PM | Link to this
This is great- I hope the NPS puts a lot into the Waco site
By BDDH
Jul 28, 2009 4:12 PM | Link to this
I am delighted that the House was wise enough to designate the Mammoth site as a National Park. A number of years ago when Dinosaur National Monument was still open for touring, we visited. Seeing the fossils in situ on the side of that mountain was much more impressive than seeing them in glass cases out of where they had lain for centuries. I understand that the Mammoth display will be in situ. I can hardly wait until it's ready for visitors.
By Carmine
Jul 28, 2009 1:42 PM | Link to this
National monuments are really not all over the Southwest, and they are not forgotten. Yellowstone and others do have a massive amount of visitors, but that makes the other sites all that more enjoyable to the ones who visit them. Also such a designation insures that it will be there for generations who do care to visit them.
By Tim
Jul 28, 2009 10:16 AM | Link to this
Cecil, you must not be very adventurous. I, for one, take pride in our national park system and am glad that I can visit such sites as the Grand Canyon, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Big Bend National Forest, and any other place that doesn't have disgusting buildings and traffic all around. It sounds like you're a homebody that doesn't care about preserving anything. Get out and enjoy the beauty that God has created. He created you, and I'm sure, in some way, you are a beautiful person. Are you going to forget God, as you have forgotten his creations?
By Cecil 1
Jul 28, 2009 9:17 AM | Link to this
These plots are all over the southwest U.S. They generally have a half life of about six months, after that period they tend to be forgotten and slip out of folks mind.
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