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Mammoth Cave National Park is one of most visited sites in the National Park System, and millions of visitors come each year, not just for the caves, but also for hiking, canoeing, and a wide diversity of plant and animal life that live in this special ecosystem, which has been designated a biosphere. Along with tourism, the cave system provides educational opportunities for the Western Kentucky University and scientists from all over world.

Unfortunately, Mammoth Cave National Park is under siege from a variety of imminent developments. A proposed massive coal-fired power plant 50 miles upwind is expected to release emissions that will affect the wildlife, both on the surface and in the caves. Air pollution and visibility are already a current problem for the caves and this power plant would only exacerbate this problem.

In addition, an industrial development known as Transpark is being built on a 4,000-6,000 acre sinkhole plain just six miles from the park. Additionally, more development has been proposed including an airport. Unfortunately, the developers are using public money to advance the project and have ignored federal laws which would protect the area such as the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.

Sierra Club is part of a group of local residents, scientists, environmentalists and cavers that has actively opposed the Transpark industrial development at the proposed location.

For more information on how you can take part in this effort, please contact Hilary Lambert at hlhopper@prodigy.net or Leslie Barras at lebarras@usa.com.