WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., recently joined in cosponsoring legislation that would commemorate the signing of federal legislation that has provided protections for public lands and wilderness areas throughout the United States. The measure passed the Senate unanimously last week.
The Senate Resolution (S.Res.244) commemorates the 45th anniversary of the signing into law of the "Wilderness Act," on September 3, 2009. Byrd, along with Senators Ted Kennedy, D-MA, and Daniel Inouye, D-HI, are the only current members of the United States Senate who voted for the original "Wilderness Act," and this unique fact is reflected in the text of the resolution. The resolution "recognizes and commends the extraordinary work of the individuals and organizations involved in building the National Wilderness Preservation System; and is grateful for the wilderness, a tremendous asset the United States continues to preserve as a gift to future generations of the United States."
"From its majestic mountains to its raging rivers, and comforting scenic countryside, West Virginia's "Wild and Wonderful" beauty is a sight to behold," said Byrd. "And rarely have I missed an opportunity to boast of the natural beauty of West Virginia, and remind others that we have a duty to preserve this land as a reminder of what ‘is good and wholesome.' This legislation not only commemorates what we started 45 years ago, but serves as a reminder of how far we have come in preserving our nation's natural beauties and reinforces that there are opportunities to do more."
The "Wilderness Act" put 9.1 million acres of national forest land into the new system. A process was created for congressional designation of future acreage in the national forests, parks, and wildlife refuges. The Act also institutionalized an idea, describing a wilderness as "an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain." By definition, then, it was a place where vehicles would not be allowed, where no permanent camps or structures could be made, where wildlife and its habitat would be kept in as primitive a condition as possible.
Currently there are 726 wilderness areas across the nation totaling over 109 million acres. West Virginia has benefitted from the creation of wilderness areas, which include Big Draft Wilderness, Cranberry, Dolly Sods, Laurel Fork South and North, Mountain Lake, Otter Creek, Roaring Plains West, and Spice Run Wilderness.
As a result of his legislative efforts to conserve the natural splendor of our nation, Byrd was recognized in 2004 with the Hubert H. Humphrey Wilderness Leadership Award. In January 2009, Byrd also strongly supported the inclusion of the Wild Monongahela Act in S.22, which designated additional lands in the Monongahela National Forest --Big Draft, Roaring Plains West, and Spice Run -- as wilderness areas.
