Wild Monongahela

The Wild Monongahela Act was introduced last January, with the sponsorship of all five members of West Virginia’s Congressional Delegation. The measure stands to protect nearly 40,000 acres over six areas on the Monongahela National Forest. Three existing wilderness areas; Dolly Sods, Cranberry and Otter Creek would be expanded while three additional areas; Big Draft, Spice Run and Roaring Plains West would be created under the legislation. After the bill passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming margin, it passed Senate committee and has since been packaged in with around 150 other public lands bills in a large omnibus. Unfortunately, attention to recent economic crises has forced the legislation to be shelved until lawmakers return to Washington in January.

The West Virginia Wilderness Coalition is optimistic that the measure can still be taken up as a top priority early in 2009. Years and years of hard work by West Virginians and our Congressional leaders have gone into making this legislation possible.

Please consider making a quick phone call to West Virginia’s Senators and ask that they continue to work with Senate leadership to ensure the Wild Monongahela Act remains a top priority for the 111th Congress.

Senator Byrd: 202-224-3954
Senator Rockefeller: 202-224-6472