[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 29, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E99-E100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 WILD MONONGAHELA: A NATIONAL LEGACY FOR WEST VIRGINIA'S SPECIAL PLACES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2008

  Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce 
legislation to designate additional areas as wilderness within the 
Monongahela National Forest in our State of West Virginia. Joining me 
in this initiative are my West Virginia colleagues Representatives 
Shelley Moore Capito and Alan Mollohan.
  Our senior Senator, Robert C. Byrd, is fond of noting that: ``West 
Virginia is one of the most beautiful and unique places. It is the most 
southern of the northern and the most northern of the southern; the 
most eastern of the western and the most western of the eastern. It is 
where the East says good morning to the West, and where Yankee Doodle 
and Dixie kiss each other good night.''
  Indeed, West Virginia is a most beautiful and unique place. And with 
the introduction of our legislation, ``Wild Monongahela: A National 
Legacy for West Virginia's Special Places,'' we are striving to keep it 
that way.
  This is about the heart and soul of West Virginia. Our southern 
mountains have been yielding their coal for generations and our 
northern ridge lines are being targeted by the merchants of wind power. 
More development is coming, and, in most cases, it is welcomed.
  But as West Virginians we are intimately connected to our land. Our 
roots are planted deep in our misty hollers and our majestic mountains. 
We know that we will be judged by future generations on our stewardship 
of this land that is West Virginia. And so I believe that it is of 
paramount importance that we, once again, set aside some of God's 
handiwork in our forests by preserving these Federal lands in their 
pristine state.
  We hunt these woods; we fish these streams. These few areas that we 
are proposing to conserve in their natural state represent a 
significant national resource. But more importantly to us, they 
constitute a fundamental right of West Virginians to retain a vital 
link to our heritage, and to know that, forever more, these lands will 
remain in their natural state as our Creator forged them. We cherish 
this as nothing less and nothing more than our birthright as West 
Virginians.
  By way of background, the Monongahela National Forest is comprised of 
over 919,000 acres of Federal land in 10 counties of the eastern 
portion of West Virginia. The forest is a major recreational resource 
for West Virginians as well as people from neighboring States, hosting 
approximately 3 million visitors annually. Currently, the forest has 
five federally designated wilderness areas comprising 78,041 acres: 
Otter Creek, Dolly Sods, Laurel Fork North and South, and the Cranberry 
Wilderness.
  As part of the revision of the Forest Plan completed in 2006, 18 
roadless areas were inventoried and evaluated for their wilderness 
potential. As a result of this process, the West Virginia Delegation to 
the U.S. House of Representatives is proposing to designate seven of 
the evaluated areas as wilderness. Totaling 47,128 acres, three of the 
areas are additions to existing wilderness: the Cranberry Expansion in 
Webster and Pocahontas Counties, the Dolly Sods Expansion in Tucker 
County and the Dry Fork Expansion in Tucker County to the Otter Creek 
Wilderness. The other four are proposed new wilderness areas: Big Draft 
in Greenbrier County, Cheat Mountain in Randolph County, Roaring Plains 
West in Pendleton and Randolph Counties and Spice Run in Greenbrier and 
Pocahontas Counties.
  Under the new Land and Resource Management Plan for the Monongahela 
National Forest, all seven areas are now being managed essentially as 
wilderness. Cheat Mountain, the Cranberry Expansion, the Dry Fork 
addition to Otter Creek Wilderness and Roaring Plains West are under 
Management Prescription 5.1, Recommended Wilderness. Meanwhile, the Big 
Draft area, the Dolly Sods Expansion and the Spice Run area are under 
Management Prescription 6.2, Backcountry Recreation. This management 
prescription emphasizes a non-motorized setting with a largely natural 
environment and a lack of management-related disturbance.
  Before I describe the special attributes of the seven areas contained 
in our legislation, I would like to note the support this initiative 
has among working men and women in West Virginia. I am proud that the 
West Virginia AFL-CIO passed a resolution last October in support of 
additional wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest. Their 
resolution states that ``wilderness forest areas and the outdoor 
recreation, hunting and fishing they provide improve the quality of 
life for all West Virginians.'' The resolution further notes that 
``protected wilderness helps diversify and stabilize economies by 
attracting and retaining business, residents, and a local workforce, in 
addition to generating travel and tourism, one of the fastest growing 
sectors of West Virginia.''
  I am also proud that people of faith in West Virginia support 
additional wilderness. The Reverend Dennis Sparks, executive director 
of the West Virginia Council of Churches, wrote to me as follows: ``An 
area of federal land belonging to all Americans, the Monongahela 
National Forest can uniquely provide opportunities for reflection and 
inspiration that are becoming ever scarcer in our rapidly modernizing 
and developing world. We believe that carefully protecting this 
wonderful national forest and its wilderness-quality lands not only has 
a sound Biblical basis, but is also the best and most practical course 
of action for safeguarding the world which we will pass along to our 
children.''
  Similarly, Bob Marshall, D.V.M., wrote: ``Like me, you were probably 
raised by parents who took you to church, where you learned many of the 
morals and ethics that guide your decisions today. I was taught to 
`Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your 
neighbor as yourself.' These words still speak to me today, and have 
led me to believe that West Virginia needs to preserve as much of our 
wild lands as possible, through the Wilderness proposal.''

  This proposal also enjoys the support of various West Virginia 
chapters of Trout Unlimited. The vice president of the Mountaineer 
Chapter, Randy Kesling, wrote to me as follows: ``National Forest 
Wilderness Areas are the tap-roots into the landscape of our 
beginnings--the original forest. The U.S. Forest Service itself calls 
them `ecological anchors in a fragile landscape.' Today we are at 
another crossroad in the natural history of this great forest. This is 
in every sense a watershed moment--to set this fragile forest on the 
path to recovery.'' He concluded: ``The Mountaineer Chapter of Trout 
Unlimited believes that Wilderness Designation provides the best path 
to that recovery.''
  Mr. Don Gasper, who worked for the West Virginia Division of Natural 
Resources for many years, and who is a highly respected fish biologist, 
wrote: ``You lawmakers in Congress have an important opportunity right 
now to permanently protect some of the most special remaining wild 
places in the Monongahela National Forest.''
  Many communities across West Virginia have registered their support 
for wilderness. The Honorable John Manchester, the mayor of the City of 
Lewisburg in Greenbrier County, and that city's Council, passed a 
resolution which in part states: ``wilderness forest areas encompass 
the development of rural communities as people are attracted to, or 
stay in, places that are clean, beautiful and where they have ample 
opportunities to connect with nature. . . .''
  The Honorable Martin Saffer, a Pocahontas County Commissioner, wrote: 
``I encourage you to take quick action to introduce legislation to 
protect some of our most special landscapes. This is truly a watershed 
moment. The time is now.''
  In addition, the Fayette County Commission wrote in support, stating: 
``Wildlands in the National Forest enhance our area's natural resource 
based tourism economy, increase the

[[Page E100]]

quality of life for Fayette County residents, protect our hunting and 
fishing lands, clean air, clean water, and protect the headwaters of 
some of Fayette County's rivers from disturbance, thus reducing the 
threats from flooding.''
  The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau wrote to me and 
specifically requested the inclusion of the Big Draft and Spice Run 
areas as wilderness. They noted: ``From the luxury of The Greenbrier 
Resort to the primitive Monongahela National Forest, visitors can 
choose their own unique experience while visiting Greenbrier County.''
  The Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau has also weighed 
in, stating: ``We feel that designating additional wilderness areas 
will increase the strong economic base that outdoor recreation in 
Pocahontas County relies on. Benefits associated with designated 
wilderness are far reaching for the people of West Virginia, our 
wildlife populations and the land itself. Protecting our last few 
remaining wilderness areas will ensure that present and future 
generations can use and enjoy parts of the forest in their natural 
state.''
  Following is a brief description of the seven areas the West Virginia 
Delegation propose to be designated as wilderness--
  Big Draft: This 5,242-acre area in the southern tip of the forest is 
located about 5 miles from White Sulphur Springs, the home of the famed 
Greenbrier Resort. According to the Forest Service evaluation of the 
area, the primary vegetative type is oak and hickory with pockets of 
hemlock and white pine as well as black hickory and sassafras. The 
evaluation makes note of the area's ``natural untrammeled appearance, 
and natural ecological processes that are the primary factors affecting 
the area.'' Trout and small-mouth bass fishing is considered excellent. 
The area has also been popular for wilderness quality whitewater trips 
down Anthony Creek, and the trout and rock bass fishing is excellent.
  Cheat Mountain: Comprised of 7,955 acres, the area ranges in 
elevation from 3,000 to 3,800 feet and is a relatively flat forested 
plateau. The area is dissected by six streams flowing through rugged 
terrain dropping steeply to the river. According to the Forest Service 
evaluation, the vegetation consists of northern hardwood stands with 
some red spruce. It has a ``natural untrammeled appearance'' and ``the 
opportunity to experience remoteness is good.'' Special features of the 
area include the High Falls of the Cheat, which is a major waterfall, 
and a favorite destination for hikers and excursion train visitors. 
Cheat Mountain is a favorite of hunters and anglers.
  Cranberry Expansion: A proposed 12,032-acre addition to the highly 
popular Cranberry Wilderness, the expansion is located between the 
Williams River on the north and the Cranberry River on the south and 
west. According to the Forest Service evaluation, ``both natural 
integrity and appearance are considered high over much of the area . . 
.'' It contains an excellent trail system and is held in high esteem by 
hunters, anglers and hikers. The combination of the Cranberry 
Wilderness, Cranberry Backcountry and Cranberry Expansion would create 
the largest area of non-motorized recreational opportunities in West 
Virginia--a vast silent forest primeval.
  Dolly Sods Expansion: Another well-known and popular wilderness area, 
Dolly Sods, is proposed to be expanded by 7,215 acres to the north. 
Most of the area is a rolling plateau of over 3,800 feet in elevation. 
The Allegheny Front drops 2,200 feet on the east, just outside the 
proposed wilderness boundary. According to the Forest Service 
evaluation, ``the bog and heath eco-types are more typical of what one 
would expect to find in Maine or southern Canada rather than West 
Virginia.'' Views west from Cabin Mountain across the Canaan Valley 
National Wildlife Refuge are outstanding.
  Dry Fork Expansion: This small 740-acre proposed expansion of the 
Otter Creek Wilderness area has a high natural integrity and appearance 
and is dominated by spruce at its higher elevations with a mixture of 
northern hardwoods. This area occupies the northern and eastern flanks 
of McGowan Mountain leading down to the Dry Fork of the Cheat River. It 
provides much of the scenic view for this popular river, which contains 
excellent whitewater recreation opportunities and trout fishing.

  Roaring Plains West: This 6,820-acre area located southwest of Dolly 
Sods ranges in elevation from 3,700 feet to over 4,700 feet and is, 
according to the Forest Service evaluation, minimally affected by 
outside forces. The Roaring Plains and Flatrock Plains areas 
encompassed by the proposed wilderness comprise the highest plateaus in 
the eastern United States. They are part of the geologic backbone of 
West Virginia called the Allegheny Front. The evaluation also notes it 
is remote backcountry, providing a good opportunity for solitude. 
Special features include an area known as Mt. Porte Crayon, with 
exceptional views.
  Spice Run: A proposed 7,124-acre new wilderness, this area rises from 
the Greenbrier River on its western boundary and is an extremely remote 
place primarily accessible from the river. There are no system trails 
within the area. The elevation ranges from 2,000 feet along the 
Greenbrier River to 3,284 feet on the top of Slab Camp Mountain. Spice 
Run, along with Davy Run and Kincaid Run, cut steep hollows which 
delineate the terrain. Spice Run is one of the most remote places in 
the State and provides excellent opportunities for solitude and 
backcountry recreation.
  In conclusion, I thank my colleagues in the West Virginia Delegation 
to the U.S. House of Representatives in joining with me to introduce 
this bill, ``Wild Monongahela: A National Legacy for West Virginia's 
Special Places.''

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