A bill to establish the Waco Mammoth Site as a national monument got a favorable reception in a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee after testimony by Waco City Manager Larry Groth.

At the invitation of Congressman Chet Edwards, D-Waco, Groth testified before the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands in favor of House Resolution 1376.

Edwards called the mammoth site a “fantastic national treasure.”

Officials with the National Park Service also urged the lawmakers to pass the bill, and subcommittee members seemed to support it, officials with Edwards’ office said.

“This is good legislation, and I look forward to helping it move through the process,” said subcommitee chairman Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz.

Groth pointed out that the site is already being developed and protected in a partnership among the city of Waco, Baylor University and community donors. Baylor scientists have discovered at least 24 Columbian mammoths buried in a mudslide some 68,000 years ago — the largest known collection of mammoths that died simultaneously.

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 and preparing to open it to the public.

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.

“Bringing in the National Park Service as a partner with the city of Waco and Baylor University would greatly strengthen an already strong relationship,” Groth said.

An Edwards spokesman said he expects the bill to move to the Natural Resources Committee in the next few weeks, then to the House floor for a vote.

In a phone interview from Washington, D.C., Groth said Edwards’ advocacy of the project, with help from Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison, should ensure the bill’s swift passage.

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