A Truly Wild West Virginia

Wild Monongahela Act Will Expand Wilderness in the Mountain State

Earlier this year, The Mountain State’s congressional delegation introduced the Wild Monongahela Act, a bill that protects 47,000 acres of Monongahela National Forest as Wilderness, the highest form of land protection available. It’s the first Wilderness legislation for West Virginia in 25 years, and it could signal a shift towards more Wilderness for the region as a whole.

“We’ve been working for this bill for ten years,” says Dave Saville, coordinator for the West Virginia Wilderness Coalition. “This legislation has been a model of democracy in action. People spoke and their elected officials listened. It’s great to see the system work.”

The Wild Monongahela Act will expand three existing Wilderness areas and create four new Wilderness designations, bringing the Mon’s total Wilderness to 125,169 acres. The bill has unanimous support from West Virginia’s congressional delegation, and a similar bill has been introduced to the Senate by senior Senator Robert Byrd, which promises to fast track the Wild Mon through the bureaucratic red tape.

As of press date, the bill awaits approval in the House Resources Committee.

Congressman Nick Rahall, who introduced the legislation to congress, called the bill a “watershed moment” and referred to Wilderness as a “fundamental right of West Virginians” when addressing the national delegation.

So why is Wilderness suddenly a priority for West Virginia? Chalk it up to timing. During the 2006 elections, both the house and senate majorities swung to the Democrats, a party that has a history of supporting Wilderness legislation. At the same time, West Virginia representative Nick Rahall (a long-time champion of Wilderness) became chair of the House Resources Committee, where Wilderness legislation is developed.

The West Virginia Wilderness bill could be the start of a great wave of Wilderness designations for the Mountain State. The New River Gorge National Recreation area is beginning to revise their management plan, as is the Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge, both of which are required to inventory their land for Wilderness. In two years, the George Washington National Forest will undergo the same management revision. More than 200,000 acres of the G.W. sits inside West Virginia, some of which could qualify for Wilderness.

“There aren’t many places in the U.S. we can protect as Wilderness anymore. Pennsylvania is trying to add Wilderness to the Allegheny National Forest, but they’re having a hard time finding suitable lands,” Saville says. “If you’re looking for opportunities for Wilderness, look at West Virginia. They’re here. There’s a lot of land left that still qualifies.” •

All of the areas included in the Wild Monongahela Act are currently managed as de facto Wilderness, but this bill will make their protections permanent, ensuring their ecological and recreation quality endures for generations. Here’s a look at what each new Wilderness designation has to offer.
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WILDEST OF THE WILD

A small expansion of the Otter Creek Wilderness, the area occupies the northern and eastern flanks of McGowan Mountain leading down to the Dry Fork of the Cheat River, which contains excellent whitewater runs.