WASHINGTON, DC – United States Senators John Sununu and Judd Gregg (R-NH) today (11/15) announced that the “New England Wilderness Act of 2006” (S. 4001) - legislation to designate 34,500 acres of White Mountain National Forest land in the Sandwich Range and Wild River areas as “wilderness” - passed the United States House of Representatives. Sununu authored the Senate legislation, which passed the United States Senate on Friday, September 29, and Senator Gregg co-sponsored the measure. The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

In explaining the background of the New Hampshire portion of the legislation, Sununu and Gregg said, in November of 2005, the Forest Service recommended the designation of additional acreage as “wilderness” in its Management Plan for the White Mountain National Forest. The “New England Wilderness Act of 2006” incorporates the recommendations of this Management Plan by designating approximately 23,700 acres in the area of the Wild River as “wilderness” and adding approximately 10,800 acres to the existing Sandwich Range Wilderness. The land would remain as White Mountain National Forest land under the protection of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Wilderness areas consist of federal lands that are permanently closed to such activities as mining, logging, road construction, vehicular traffic, and building construction. By law, the establishment of new wilderness must be approved by Congress.

Senator Sununu stated, “The Forest Service Plan represents a consensus view of how best to protect land in the White Mountain National Forest while ensuring the Forest’s traditional mixed use role. I am pleased that Congress has approved this bill for the benefit of New Hampshire residents and visitors as well as countless generations to come.”

“Local and state officials, citizens groups and other concerned individuals have been working for a number of years toward the goal of designating more wilderness in the White Mountain National Forest. I commend their dedication toward permanently protecting land in the Sandwich Range and the Wild River area – work that will culminate with the President signing this bill into law,” Sununu continued.

Senator Gregg stated, “New Hampshire’s landscapes and natural resources are a big reason why our state is such a great place to live and raise a family, as well as such a big draw for visitors who love the outdoors. By designating more than 34,000 acres of new wilderness, this bill will help further protect our state’s environment and represents a balanced approach on how we manage the White Mountain National Forest.  As such, I am pleased that our House colleagues have approved this important legislation and look forward to President Bush signing it into law.”

Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Jim Jeffords (I-VT) also co-sponsored S. 4001, which in addition to protecting New Hampshire acreage, would designate approximately 42,000 acres of Vermont land as wilderness. The legislation reflects an agreement reached on September 27 by the Vermont Congressional delegation and Governor James Douglas (R – VT).
There are currently five “wilderness” areas in the White Mountain National Forest. Of these, four are in New Hampshire: the Presidential Range/Dry River Wilderness; the Great Gulf Wilderness; the Sandwich Range Wilderness; and the Pemigewasset Wilderness. The Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness is in the State of Maine.

Jane Difley, President/Forester of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests; Richard Minard, President of New Hampshire Audubon; Julie Wormser, Appalachian Mountain Club Policy Director; and Dan Yetter, co-founder of the Friends of Wild River, a volunteer group of New Hampshire residents, issued the following statements upon the bill’s original passage on September 19:

Difley, stated, “This is terrific news for New Hampshire and for the White Mountain National Forest. The Wilderness designation is the first of several steps to fully implement the White Mountain National Forest Plan. On behalf of the 10,000 members of the Forest Society, I commend Senators Sununu and Gregg for their strong support of not only the Wilderness Act, but the entire WMNF plan. The combination of the 34,500 acres to be designated as Wilderness, along with the traditional mixed use role of the White Mountain National Forest overall is consistent with the founding vision of the Forest Society, which calls for the wise use of New Hampshire’s forests and their complete reservation in places of special scenic beauty.”

Minard stated, “Senate passage of the ‘New England Wilderness Act of 2006’ attests the national significance of New Hampshire’s remaining wild places and the value that we all place in keeping those lands wild. New Hampshire Audubon celebrates the bill's adoption and the leadership of Senator John Sununu and Senator Judd Gregg. By designating parts of the Sandwich Range and the Wild River areas as wilderness, the bill fulfills the vision of a broad coalition of New Hampshire residents and protects wildlife habitat for generations of Granite Staters to come.”

Wormser, stated, “We're delighted to hear of the passage of the 'New England Wilderness Act of 2006.’ Throughout their careers Senators Sununu and Gregg and their colleagues in Vermont have been strong champions for the White Mountain and Green Mountain National Forests and the multiple use approach to managing them. The areas included in this legislation are beautiful places our members and others enjoy for hiking and backpacking, wildlife viewing, and the solitude of the backcountry experience. This legislation represents the culmination of nearly a decade of collaboration among hundreds of local residents, the US forest service and our members of congress. Today the senators have given us all something to cheer about.”

Yetter stated, “This makes me so happy. We have been working with the forest service and the congressional delegation for nearly nine years, and to see this bill pass the Senate is truly a dream come true. I love the Wild River Valley for its seclusion, its quiet, its unbroken vistas, and the inescapable sound of running water from the dozens of brooks and streams that tumble down the valley. I hope Senator Sununu and Senator Gregg one day can take a break from their busy schedules and come celebrate their efforts with us in the new Wild River Wilderness Area!”

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