NPS - National Park Service

10/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/16/2024 09:40

Mammoth Cave National Park seeks public comments on draft Land and Rivers Trails Management Plan Environmental Assessment

News Release Date:
October 16, 2024

Contact:Molly Schroer, 270-758-2192

MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky.- The National Park Service invites the public to comment on a draft Land and River Trails Management Plan (LRTMP) Environmental Assessment for Mammoth Cave National Park. Comments can be made through the Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website from Wednesday, Oct. 16 through Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. A completed LRTMP will provide the park with a long-term strategic direction for trail maintenance, investment, and construction for the next several decades.

"The overall goal of the LRTMP is to protect park resources by utilizing sustainable trail construction techniques that limit erosion while also providing increased visitor access and recreational opportunities to new areas of interest within the park," said Superintendent Barclay Trimble. "Park service planners have created several ways for the public to review the plan's information before they officially provide their comments."

Details about the plan are included in an online story map that discusses Mammoth Cave National Park and the proposed trail alignments. The story map is accessed through the ArcGIS StoryMaps website at bit.ly/mammothtrailsmap.

A short informational video narrated by Superintendent Trimble details the LRTMP and park's planning process. It can be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/GKyGth9iDNU.

Two public meetings are scheduled to informally share information about the LRTMP, the park planning process, and answer questions in person. The first meeting will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at the Warren County Library, Bob Kirby Branch at 175 Iron Skillet Court, Bowling Green, Ky. from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. The second meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 24 at the Edmonson County Library at 280 Ferguson St., Brownsville, Ky. from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

The draft plan is available for review and comment on the PEPC website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/MammothTrails. Click 'Open for Comment' to provide written comments.

Comments made through the PEPC system are preferred but they will also be accepted by U.S. mail addressed to "Mammoth Cave National Park, Attn: Trails Plan, P.O. Box 7, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259." All mail-in comments must be postmarked by Nov. 15, 2024. Anonymous comments and comments submitted by e-mail will not be accepted. Bulk comments in any format submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted.