MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK News Release

Release Date: May 17, 2019

Contact: Molly Schroer, Molly_Schroer@nps.gov, 270-758-2192

Mammoth Cave Plans Sobriety and Safety Checkpoints

MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky., May 17, 2019 –Mammoth Cave National Park law enforcement officers will conduct periodic sobriety and safety checkpoints on park roadways for the remainder of 2019 to identify drivers who may be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol (DUI). The special law enforcement operations are being conducted to reduce the incidence of DUIs and to increase public awareness of the dangers associated with drinking and driving.

Rangers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment and will strive to delay motorists only momentarily.

-NPS-

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 MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK News Release

Release Date: May 16, 2019

Contact: Molly Schroer, Molly_Schroer@nps.gov, 270-758-2192

Green River Ferry Closes to Trailers on May 16 and to All Vehicles for Mussel Relocation Project on May 20-22

MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky., May 16, 2019. – The Green River Ferry in Mammoth Cave National Park is closed to all trailer traffic starting today, Thursday, May 16, due to low water levels, and will be closed to all vehicular traffic on May 20, 21, and 22 from 8 am to 4 pm in order for the park to complete a freshwater mussel relocation project. The ferry will reopen for service between 6 am to 8 am and 4 pm to 10 pm on the mussel relocation days. The relocation work is being conducted in advance of the Green River Ferry improvement projects which will begin construction on Monday, June 17, 2019.

The Green River in Mammoth Cave National Park contains some of the most diverse populations of freshwater mussels in North America and the world. Over 50 species of freshwater mussels are found within the park with ten species included on the federally endangered list.

The Green River Ferry access ramps are set to be extended 30 feet into the Green River and will require coffer dams to be built to restrict water across sections of the river. These dams, as well as the construction equipment’s impacts to the river bed and dredging, would negatively affect many mussels living in the construction zone. The park determined that relocating the mussels would be the best option. The actual relocation project will involve a specially trained dive team who will collect the mussels and “re-plant” them in the riverbed either above or below the Green River Ferry crossing.

“Freshwater mussels are an important part of the Green River natural system, serving as indicators of good stream health,” said the Chief of Science and Resources Management, Tim Pinion. “The park is committed to protecting mussels through a variety of efforts, including relocations like this one to avoid temporary construction impacts.”

To check the current status of the ferry operation call the Green River Ferry Hotline at 270-758-2166. For more information on the Green River Ferry improvement projects, please visit the park’s website atwww.nps.gov/maca/green-river-ferry-improvement-projects.htm.

-NPS-

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NPS Photo 1. Mussels in Hand: Freshwater mussels are harvested for a relocation project in the Green River of Mammoth Cave National Park.

NPS Photo 2. Freshwater Mussel Varieties: Mammoth Cave National Park is home to over 50 different species of freshwater mussels.

MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK News Release

Release Date: May 14, 2019

Contact: Molly Schroer, Molly_Schroer@nps.gov, 270-758-2192

Mammoth Cave National Park Plans Closure of Green River Ferry Service and Roadway for Site Improvements

MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky., May 14, 2019. – Mammoth Cave National Park’s Green River Ferry service and portions of Green River Ferry Road will be closed to all vehicular traffic from approximately Monday, June 17 to Friday, November 15in order to complete a vehicle ramp extension project. The Green River Ferry area will remain open to paddlers and hikers throughout the construction, but parking and public access will be limited.

The Green River Ferry serves as a river crossing location, river access for canoes and kayaks, boat ramp for fishing boats, and parking area for trail and river users. During periods of low and high water, extended closures of the Green River Ferry create negative impacts which affect local citizens and park staff by presenting safety problems, limiting access to recreational resources, and disrupting frequently used travel routes. The ramp extension project will extend the current vehicle access ramps into the Green River by 30 feet which should allow the ferry boat to operate during periods of low water levels.

“The Green River Ferry is an important service to the local communities that surround Mammoth Cave National Park as well as to the park itself,” said Park Facilities Chief, Steve Kovar. “We realize that this six month closure will create some inconveniences for local residents, park visitors and staff, but we know the long term improvements to the crossing will be worth the wait.”

The Green River Ferry Road will be closed from the north side of the Green River, beginning just south of Maple Springs Campground, to the south side of the river at the entrance of the Green River Ferry parking lot. Parking within the parking lot during the construction will be prohibited. Day use parking will be allowed along the south side of Green River Ferry Road in areas where vehicles can safely pull all the way off the roadway.

The Echo Springs Accessible Trail will remain open to hikers with two accessible parking spaces in the Green River Ferry parking lot remaining open only for visitors with accessibility needs.

A temporary canoe and kayak ramp is being installed at the northeast side of the Green River Ferry parking lot for river access throughout the construction period. Canoes and kayaks may be dropped off or picked up in the parking lot, but long term parking is prohibited.

“We are working with the construction team to keep as much of the Green River Ferry area open to the public as possible, but we want to make sure their work is done as safely and efficiently as possible,” said Park Superintendent Barclay Trimble. “The north side of the park will continue to be open throughout the ferry closure so we invite everyone to enjoy the beautiful drive through the park and our neighboring communities get there. You’ll find many wonderful hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities when you arrive.”

In addition to the vehicle ramp extension, the park will launch an updated ferry boat in November 2019 which has been retrofitted to improve safety and operational efficiency of the ferry service. The new boat will sit higher in the water, carry up to 12 tons of weight, and have longer ramps to reach further up the shoreline. The new ferry will also provide seating and bike storage for hikers and bicyclists and should be able to accommodate some horse trailers.

The ramp extension project is being coordinated by the park with assistance from the Federal Highway Administration Eastern Lands Highway Division.  For more information on the Green River Ferry improvement projects and the Green River Ferry and road closure, please visit the park’s website www.nps.gov/maca/green-river-ferry-improvement-projects.htm or call the Green River Ferry Hotline at 270-758-2166 for current ferry operating status.

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NPS PHOTO: The Green River Ferry transports a vehicle across the river to the north side ramp.

MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK News Release

Release Date: May 10, 2019

Contact: Molly Schroer, Molly_Schroer@nps.gov, 270-758-2192

Mammoth Cave National Park Hosts Naturalization Ceremony

MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky., May 10, 2019. – Mammoth Cave National Park welcomed thirty seven new citizens of the United States during a naturalization ceremony held within Mammoth Cave on Friday, May 10. The park worked with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office in Louisville, Kentucky to invite the new citizens to the park where they were sworn in by United States District Court Judge Greg N. Stivers at an area inside the cave known as “The Methodist Church.” 

The new citizens hail from 20 different countries around the world, but now reside in throughout western Kentucky. Becoming a new citizen is a voluntary process which requires each individual to meet eligibility requirements and go through a ten step naturalization process that includes written applications, tests, and personal interviews. The new citizens were accompanied to the ceremony by members of their families who supported them through their citizenship journey.

“It is very exciting to be the first to welcome and congratulate these thirty seven individuals on their hard work in becoming our newest citizens of the United States,” said Park Superintendent Barclay Trimble. “There are a number of locations across the state where these individuals could choose for their swearing in ceremony. Everyone here today chose to come to Mammoth Cave National Park for this very special moment in their lives. The park is now a part of their story and they are a part of ours.”

The naturalization ceremony has become an annual event for the park and is traditionally held in one of the historic passages inside the cave. Barren County High School Junior ROTC assisted with the ceremony by presenting the colors during the ceremony, and Rangers Mary Schubert and Jessica Cooper sang the National Anthem.

-NPS-

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Mammoth Cave National Park Superintendent, Barclay Trimble, addresses thirty seven newly sworn-in citizens of the United States during a naturalization ceremony inside Mammoth Cave.

United States District Court Judge, Greg N. Stivers, presides over the annual naturalization ceremony held inside Mammoth Cave National Park.

Event participants take the Oath of Allegiance to become naturalized citizens of the United States during a naturalization ceremony held within Mammoth Cave National Park.

MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK News Release
Release Date:  April 19, 2019
Contact: Molly Schroer, Molly_Schroer@nps.gov, 270-758-2192

Park Hosts Open House for Concessions Facilities Improvements

MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky., April 19, 2019. – Mammoth Cave National Park will hold an open house style public meeting at The Lodge at Mammoth Cave's Rotunda Room on Tuesday, May 14 from 4-6 pm to provide information on several upcoming projects to improve the park’s concessions facilities. Park staff will be on hand during the open house to explain the details of the various projects and collect public comments.

The concessions facility improvement projects include:

• Construction of new family cabins;

• Improving parking and site access around the Lodge at Mammoth Cave;

• Repair and replacement of the roof and façade improvements to the main lodge building of The Lodge at Mammoth Cave;

• Refinishing and upgrading of historic Woodland Cottages, and;

• Electrical upgrade of historic Hotel Cottages.

"The facility improvements being presented at the open house are long overdue and will improve the functionality of our aging facilities," stated Barclay Trimble, Superintendent of Mammoth Cave National Park. "We are bringing these plans to the public because the involvement of our local communities and park supporters is integral to moving the park forward in the best way possible. The comments we receive will help us to shape the projects’ details and our management decisions as we develop the plans."

After collecting and reviewing comments on all of the projects, the park will release a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) specific to the construction of family cabins and the parking lot realignment for The Lodge at Mammoth Cave. These two projects will then be released for additional comments through the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) system. The NPS will respond to substantive comments for these two projects in a Final EA document.

The three remaining projects, involving roof repair and replacement, Woodland Cottage upgrading, and Hotel Cottage electrical work, will move forward for full implementation and construction after comments are received at the open house meeting in May.

Written comments on the plans will be accepted by mail to Superintendent, Mammoth Cave National Park, Attention: Commercial Service Improvement Projects, P.O. Box 7, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259, through email at MACA_CSIP@nps.gov, or via the comment form provided at the open house.

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MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK News Release

Release Date:   April 21, 2019

Contact:   Molly Schroer, Molly_Schroer@nps.gov, 270-758-2192                     

Green River Ferry Temporarily Closed for Repairs

Mammoth Cave, K.Y., April 21, 2019—The Green River Ferry closed today, Sunday, April 21, at approximately 5:45 pm due to issues with the ferry boat’s hydraulic fan motor. Ferry service will resume operations once the needed repairs are complete.

To check the status of the Green River Ferry operation, please call the Ferry Hotline at 270-758-2166 or follow Mammoth Cave National Park on Twitter or Facebook.

-NPS-

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Rick DuBose

Rick DuBose to lead Friends of Mammoth Cave

(Mammoth Cave, Ky., January 31, 2019) — As the new executive director of the Friends of Mammoth Cave National Park (FOMC), Rick DuBose is already friend-raising and fund-raising, meeting with area businesses and encouraging new members.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the Friends of Mammoth Cave as its executive director,” said DuBose. “Mammoth Cave National Park is both a local and national treasure. I look forward to working with Park staff to help protect Park resources and draw people to experience its wonder.”

DuBose comes to the Friends as a recent WKU retiree, where he worked in fundraising and alumni affairs for nearly 19 years.

“Rick’s work experience and networking abilities are a perfect match for his new job with the Friends,” said Friends Board Chairman Tom Carney. “At present, our primary initiative is called Ticket-to-Ride, bringing students to the Park for hands-on outdoor learning. We would like to enlist area businesses to serve as county sponsors.”

The mission of the FOMC, a 501-c3 organization, is to foster educational programs and research, support multi-generational visitor experiences, and promote fitness and recreational opportunities available at the Park. Last year, the Friends raised $66,000.

“I have been impressed with the work of the Friends' group under the leadership of Helen Siewers,” added DuBose. “I hope to continue to build on what she and the board have put in place." Siewers served as executive director for four years and recently accepted a position with Metro Parks Nashville as Greenways project manager.

“The Friends of Mammoth Cave have become a steadfast partner,” said Park Superintendent Barclay Trimble. “They help with planned operations, but are also responsive to Park needs. During the shutdown, the Friends set up an information table in front of the visitor center and staffed it on the weekends. They reached more than 600 visitors. The Friends are Mammoth Cave heroes.”

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(photo by Clinton Lewis)

“On behalf of the Friends, I was honored to accept this certificate this morning from MCNP Superintendent Barclay Tremble. During the shutdown, our volunteers helped nearly 600 visitors to the park who stopped by the visitors' center. You all are the best! The credit for getting this done so quickly was Helen Siewers. Thanks, Helen, for all you have done.“

Rick DuBose
Executive Director of Friends