| April 23, 2008 TAKE ACTION! Wild Monongahela Act passes House of Representatives!
We have reason to celebrate! Last night,
the Wild Mon Act took a major step in the legislative process by passing the
House of Representatives by a huge margin: 368 to 17. This is a significant
milestone along the road to protecting special places on the Mon and a
reason to pause and reflect on all the work the large community of
wilderness supporters across the state and region has done to get the
process this far! This would not have happened without you! We
thank WV's Congressional Delegation for sponsoring this historic
legislaiton. On April 2nd, a legislative markup was held for Wild Mon in the House Committee on Natural Resources. While this was a positive step and necessary for the bill to pass the House, the version of the bill reported from committee was amended with one of the changes being a major disappointment for wilderness supporters. At the request of cosponsor Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, the Cheat Mountain area was removed from the bill. We have been working hard and many phone calls and letters have gone in to all our delegation members to not only thank them for introducing the legislation, but encouraging its improvement through the addition of other special places. The Seneca Creek, Roaring Plains East & North and East Fork of Greenbrier areas are all well qualified to be designated as wilderness and broad support exists across the state for this. We were hoping the bill would actually be improved instead of weakened. A hearing was held on the Senate’s version of the bill on April 15th. Senator Byrd and Senator Rockefeller still have an opportunity to improve their version of the Wild Monongahela Act by adding Seneca Creek, Roaring Plains East & North and East Fork of Greenbrier. We hope that the legislative process will move along in that body very soon so it is critical to contact them as soon as possible and ask for these areas to be added.
Please call or email Senators Byrd and Rockefeller and let them know:
Senator Robert C. Byrd
Senator John D. Rockefeller IV Areas included in the introduced Wild Monongahela Act Critical areas left out of the legislation
To see these areas on a map
Click Here |
Experience the Mon's Wild Places Upcoming Highlands Conservancy outings in the Mon's proposed and existing Wilderness areas
Dolly Sods
North and Wilderness Area Backpack 26+ mile moderate backpacking trip through this wild area that looks more like the Canadian Shield than a typical North American forest. We will explore some seldom visited trails on the first day. Several technically challenging stream crossings possible that might require a change of footwear. Pre-registration required.
Otter Creek
Backpack/Base Camp w/day hike Day one hike approximately 9 miles along Otter Creek and up and over McGowan Mountain visiting the highland bogs of Yellow Creek and Moore Run. Day 2 10 mile day hike visiting several swimming holes on the return leg. Day 3 is a nearly flat 5 mile hike out along otter Creek. Several technically challenging stream crossings that might require a change of footwear. Pre-registration required.
Seneca Creek
Backcountry Day one features a moderate 10 mile hike exploring trails on the western slope of Allegheny Mt before descending to our base camp below beautiful Seneca Falls. On day 2 we’ll explore the High Meadows above the creek without packs. On day 3 hike back to cars using the Seneca Creek Tr, Tom Lick Tr and Allegheny Tr (approximately 7 miles). Several technically challenging stream crossings that might require a change of footwear.
Roaring Plains Backpack and
Base Camp with Day Hike Day 1 hike in 2.5 miles and set up camp at the entrance to the Hidden Passage. Day 2 features a 12 mile day hike along the Canyon Rim with possible side trips. Day 3 backpack out the way we came in. Pre-registration required. For more information contact Mike Juskelis at [email protected] or 410-439-4964. ____________________ |
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www.wvwild.org |
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Brandon Dennison Joins Religious Campaign for Wilderness
Last year, after the youth group from Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church visited several proposed wilderness areas on the Mon with their leader, Brandon Dennison, they realized the importance of protecting these wild places. The group drafted a persuasive document full of photos, poems and journal excerpts titled We Want More Wilderness, which was sent to the members of West Virginia’s Congressional Delegation. They later traveled to Washington, D.C. to directly lobby Congress for additional wilderness on the Mon. Now Brandon hopes to continue his leadership in a greater capacity and make the same impact on congregations statewide in his new role, focusing on outreach in the Spiritual Campaign for Wilderness. “I just feel really strongly about being good stewards of God’s creation and this provides a good opportunity to put one’s love of God and love of wilderness into action,” he said. The Spiritual Campaign for Wilderness started in 2006 with the release of God’s Gift of a Wild and Wonderful Land, a Christian Declaration of Spiritual Values in the Monongahela National Forest, which was sponsored by several statewide and regional organizations including West Virginia Council of Churches, the Commission on Religion in Appalachia and Christians for the Mountains. Originally from Cabell County, Brandon is a senior at Shepherd University and will soon graduate with a degree in political science. Although his work will include giving presentations and circulating campaign materials such as the Declaration of Spiritual Values, Brandon hopes his outreach will entice people in the faith community to visit the Mon’s special places, in turn increasing awareness and stewardship, as was the case with the members of the Shepherdstown youth group. “I feel closest to God in the wilderness and the only way you can experience that closeness is to experience it for yourself,” he said. Contact Brandon at [email protected] to receive more information and materials or to arrange a presentation for your congregation or faith-based organization.
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