House passes bill to protect wilderness areas

By Christian Giggenbach
Register-Herald reporter

April 25, 2008 09:55 pm

— The U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure earlier this week designating 37,771 acres of federal land as federally protected “wilderness areas,” including an area in Greenbrier County.
The House overwhelmingly voted in favor of the bill sponsored by Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., by a tally of 368-17 (46 members not voting), allowing for the expansion of three existing wilderness areas in the state, Cranberry, Dolly Sods and Otter Creek; and the establishment of three new wilderness areas, Big Draft (Greenbrier County), Roaring Plains West and Spice Run.
The bill must also pass the Senate and be signed by President Bush prior to becoming a law.
The proposed legislation has the support of the entire West Virginia congressional delegation.
Byrd is the key sponsor of the Senate companion bill which currently is being studied in an energy subcommittee.