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Byrd Wins Funds for Expansion of Monongahela National Forest

Washington, D.C.—February 27, 2004—More than 1,400 new acres will be added to the Monongahela National Forest thanks to the efforts of U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the U.S. Forest Service.

"The Monongahela National Forest is an American treasure in West Virginia," Byrd said.  "By protecting the forest and building on its legacy, we ensure that people from around the world will be able to marvel at its beauty for decades to come."

Byrd added $1.8 million to federal appropriations legislation for the U.S. Forest Service to purchase new land for the Monongahela National Forest from TNC.  TNC is first purchasing the property from Beckwith Lumber of Pocahontas County.

The funding will allow the U.S. Forest Service to acquire from The Nature Conservancy eight different parcels totaling approximately 1,480 acres of in-holdings within the Monongahela National Forest.

"More than 23 million visitors traveled in West Virginia last year, making tourism one of our leading industries," commented Senator Byrd. "I am delighted to help create an infrastructure that supports tourism, including recreation, conservation, and historic lands.  I hope all West Virginians will take the opportunity to enjoy these special places with their friends and families."

Five of the eight tracts occur in high elevation sites on Gauley and Cheat Mountains and near the Highland Scenic Highway. Spruce forests on these high summits support an overlap of northern and southern Appalachian species, including habitat for the West Virginia northern flying squirrel, which is federally listed as endangered.  These properties also include native brook trout streams, buffer for the upper Elk River, access to hiking trails, and buffer for the historic Allegheny Battlefield.

The tracts are being acquired by The Nature Conservancy from Beckwith Lumber, a timber company based in Slaty Fork, Pocahontas County.

"High-elevation sites with their endangered species, historic sites, and recreation lands can carry responsibilities that private landowners may prefer to pass on to others," said Rodney Bartgis, State Director of The Nature Conservancy.  "The Nature Conservancy appreciates working with Beckwith Lumber to address the company’s needs in a way that can protect these properties’ special features and provide continued access to the public that uses them."

Ralph Beckwith, President of Beckwith Lumber Company, agreed.

"In order for our company to continue to provide jobs and an economic benefit to Pocahontas County and the State of West Virginia, we must be able to have access to a continued, reliable supply of high quality timber, and yet minimize the impact on sensitive areas of our forest and recreation lands," Beckwith stated.  "Even though these tracts are high in their potential for timber growth and production, the transfer of these properties will help our state maintain areas for recreation and conservation and yet allow us to obtain other properties for timber growth in areas that are not so environmentally sensitive."

"These tracts are scattered among some of West Virginia’s most ecologically valuable and beautiful landscapes," Bartgis commented.  "These properties are also scattered among some of the state’s most popular recreation areas, so they are of value to sportsmen, history buffs, and family tourists, in addition to birders, hikers, and other nature lovers.  We are very grateful for Senator Byrd’s continuing support for conserving our state's precious natural heritage."