Allegheny Wilderness Support Tops 400,000
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Pittsburgh, PA – Popularity just keeps growing for an Allegheny wilderness proposal. More than 400,000 Americans are represented in signing on to the "Citizens' Wilderness Proposal," which would designate nearly 55,000 acres of the Allegheny National Forest as wilderness. Two groups recently joined more than 35 other organizations in favor of the plan.
The Susquehanna Trail Club is one of the latest. Club president Wil Ahn says, "I have supported wilderness areas for years. I just would like to see more wilderness set aside, for our generation and future generations."
Hugh Rogers, president of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, says his group - also a new supporter - is reaching across the state line to help.
"It's close by, similar habitat to what we're used to and similar terrain - all the good things about leaving some part of the National Forest alone."
Kirk Johnson with Friends of Allegheny Wilderness says more support is pouring in every week, especially since Congress has passed several wilderness bills this year.
"The momentum of this campaign, and the commitment of our supporters, is building so rapidly that it has virtually taken on a life of its own at this point."
It will be up to Congress to approve the federal wilderness designation, and a legislative proposal is in the works. Those against such a move are concerned about the impact on the forest products industry.
get more stories like this via email
Social Issues
A new website aims to help Kentuckians just out of prison re-enter their communities and find job training, employment and recovery services…
Late Friday, a majority of Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga overwhelmingly voted to join the United Auto Workers. The vote is historic, as they are …
Boston University's Prison Education Program is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and is hoping to expand. Students at Massachusetts Correctional …
Social Issues
A new study suggests laws in New Mexico and 22 other states to protect school-aged LGBTQ youth are having a positive impact. According to research …
Environment
Today is Earth Day, and one initiative in southern Arizona is helping build public gardens providing beneficial habitat for pollinators, from Monarch …
Environment
A new study raised red flags about respiratory health in Pennsylvania, particularly for those living near oil and gas activity. The study by …