Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative

The Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative (ONPPI) is a community based group of Middle Georgia citizens working together to expand the current boundaries of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. Our purpose is to inform you about ongoing work to conserve important wildlife habitats, natural areas, and historic sites along the Ocmulgee River in middle Georgia and to petition you to consider supporting this work.

In March of this year, legislation passed designating the first National Park and Preserve in the State of Georgia. This legislation, the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park Boundary Revision Act (HR 538 & S 135), accomplished three things.  First, it quadrupled the size of the national park unit in Macon by enlarging the current 700 acre boundary to nearly 3,000 acres.  Second, it changed the Congressional designation from a National Monument to a National Historical Park.  Third, it authorized a federal study of 50 miles of the Ocmulgee River corridor from Macon south to Hawkinsville to explore potential additional conservation measures.

ONPPI’s role is to be the driving force in consolidating the Ocmulgee National Historical Park and Preserve with other existing public lands along the Ocmulgee River between Macon and Hawkinsville to:

• Preserve the history and remnants of the Native American mound builders,

• Protect public hunting, fishing, and wildlife habitat,

• Promote and enhance base-compatible land use around Robins Air Force Base,

• Increase name recognition and thereby national and international prominence, and

• Grow the regional recreation and tourism economy.