Congress passes historic Wild Monongahela Act
State’s first Wilderness legislation in over 25 years reaches finish line

March 25, 2009

Some of West Virginia’s unique natural treasures will now be protected in perpetuity following today’s approval of landmark legislation by U.S. Congress.  Six areas on the Monongahela National Forest containing pristine watersheds, magnificent scenery and unparalleled recreational opportunities have been set aside as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.    

Today the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Omnibus Public Lands Act of 2009, giving final approval to over 160 federal lands bills, including the historic Wild Monongahela Act.  This legislation, was authored and championed by House Natural Resources Chairman Nick Rahall, and was sponsored by all five members of West Virginia’s Congressional delegation.  The Wild Mon Act protects roughly 37,000 acres of special wild lands on the national forest.   

“This is such an historic moment for our state as our Congressional Delegation has secured the future of some of our most special places for generations to come,” said Mike Costello, Coordinator of the West Virginia Wilderness Coalition, a joint initiative of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, West Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society and the Campaign for America’s Wilderness. 

“In championing this legislation, our Representatives and Senators contribute a great deal to the incredible legacy that is our state’s natural heritage, and for that each of them deserves a tremendous amount of credit,” Costello said.    

House members voted to approve the measure by a margin of 285 to 140.    

Introduced in early 2008, the broadly supported Wild Monongahela Act was lauded by over 100 businesses, the West Virginia Council of Churches, West Virginia AFL-CIO and nearly 50 other organizations.  With numerous long term benefits to local communities, the legislation was also supported by municipal governing bodies and elected leaders statewide.    

“Congressman Rahall, and the rest of our delegation, has demonstrated remarkable leadership in preserving the very places West Virginians love and that draw visitors to our state,” said Lewisburg Mayor John Manchester, whose city lies just miles from the newly established Big Draft Wilderness.  “We’ve protected more than just forests through this effort.  For many communities, we have safeguarded future opportunities to build our economy around a truly ‘wild and wonderful’ West Virginia.”     

Mike Price, of United Steel Workers/West Virginia AFL-CIO, applauded the measure’s economic benefits.  “Amidst the uncertainty of the nation’s financial crises, this bill ensures that, by protecting these places and their resources, we hold on to sustainable economic opportunities and an improved quality of life for West Virginians,” Price said.    

Because it shielded critical wildlife habitat and native trout streams from development threats, the measure received support from many hunters, anglers and sporting groups, including several chapters of Trout Unlimited. 

“As resident of Pendleton County, WV, I am extremely proud of the fact that the recreational opportunities found in these areas generations ago will remain intact well into the future,” said Bob Bittner, Jr., of Mountaineer Trout Unlimited. “Our leaders in Washington have taken an important step in ensuring that our state’s outdoor traditions can be passed on and enjoyed on our wildest lands and our some of our last remaining untrammeled brook trout streams.”   

Final passage of the legislation expands three existing Wilderness areas in Dolly Sods, Cranberry and Otter Creek.  Additionally, Big Draft, Spice Run and Roaring Plains West are to be permanently protected as newly designated Wilderness.