The beauty of the Mon
Dolly Sods wilderness
Photos courtesy of Richard Westfall
Richard Westfall's WV Photography
By Bob Weaver
It's a great day for West Virginian's who love our mountains.
West Virginia's first wilderness legislation in over 25 years is crossing the finish line.
Some of West Virginia's unique natural treasures will now be protected in perpetuity following yesterday's approval of landmark legislation by the 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.
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 within the national forest, some of which have been endangered by drilling and other extraction.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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