Sens. Cornyn, Hutchison Introduce Legislation To Incorporate Waco Mammoth Site Into The National Park System

Press Release

Sens. Cornyn, Hutchison Introduce Legislation To Incorporate Waco Mammoth Site Into The National Park System

Waco Mayor and Baylor Interim President Voice Their Support for the Legislation

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today announced he has introduced legislation to establish the Waco Mammoth Site as a new unit of the National Park System. U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, joins Sen. Cornyn as an original cosponsor of the legislation. This bill follows the release of a 6-year feasibility study conducted by the National Park Service, which concluded the Waco Mammoth Site meets the criteria for designating new parklands.

"In keeping with the Texas tradition of ‘bigger and better,' the Waco Mammoth Site is a global attraction—containing the world's largest-known concentration of prehistoric woolly mammoths that died from a single cause. The site, which includes the remains of 25 Columbia mammoths nearly 68,000 years old, has drawn archaeologists and paleontologists from around the world to assist in researching the remains. I commend both Baylor University and the City of Waco for their diligence in developing the site and ensuring it met the criteria to be included in the U.S. National Park System. Hopefully, with bipartisan support in Congress, the legislation I have introduced will make the site's status as National Parklands a reality. This site is a source of pride for Waco, Baylor, and the state of Texas," Sen. Cornyn said.

"The Waco Mammoth Site is one of the most important paleontological sites of its kind in the world," said Sen. Hutchison. "By officially designating it a national monument, this site may be preserved as a living laboratory where students, scientists, and visitors may continue to learn about prehistoric life."

Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy made the following comments: "We are thrilled that with the introduction of Sen. Cornyn and Sen. Hutchison's legislation, the Waco Mammoth Site is another step closer to becoming an official part of the National Park System. This status will allow the researchers working on the site to continue their important excavation efforts. The site is sure to continue to attract families, school children, and visitors from Texas and potentially from all over the world to visit Waco. The effectiveness of the Baylor-Waco partnership has been key in bringing the Waco Mammoth Site to this historic point, and I look forward to continuing to work with Baylor and the Texas congressional delegation as this exciting endeavor moves forward."

Dr. David E. Garland, Interim President of Baylor University, made the following comments: "Baylor University is pleased to be partners with the city of Waco on such an exciting project. We look forward to the educational and research opportunities a fully developed Mammoth Site can bring to our community."

Timeline:
1978: Investigation of the site begins when Paul Barron and Eddie Bufkin, both of Waco, first discover a bone protruding from an eroding creek bank and report it to the Baylor University's Strecker Museum staff.

1990: By now, fifteen mammoths have been identified, their remains preserved and removed. During the clean-up of the dig site, another bone was found which has led to the discovery of ten additional mammoths, a camel, and one tooth from a young saber-toothed cat. Boreholes in the site area indicate that additional mammoths have yet to be unearthed.

2002: Congress directs the National Park Service to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the Waco Mammoth Site as a unit of the National Park System (NPS).

2006: Sens. Cornyn and Hutchison send a letter of support urging inclusion of the Waco site into the National Park System as the National Park Service conducts its Special Resources Study.

2008: The Park Service completes the Special Resource Study, which analyzed different management plans, and concludes that the Waco Mammoth Site meets the criteria for designating new parklands based on national significance, suitability, feasibility, and need for direct management from NPS.

2009: Sens. Cornyn and Hutchison introduce legislation that would make the Waco Mammoth Site a new unit of the NPS. Specifically, the legislation identifies with the Special Resource Study Alternative C plan recommendation permitting the NPS to join the existing partnership between Baylor and the City of Waco. This cooperative effort gives lead responsibility for ensuring protection, scientific study, and visitor tourism to the NPS while allowing Baylor and the City of Waco to direct recreational and educational activities.

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