The 112th Congress has a lot of unfinished business that likely will remain undone before the current session concludes, yet there remains strong bipartisan support in both chambers to make some vital permanent additions to the nation's designated wilderness areas before this Congress adjourns. Among these long-sought additions are six outstanding tracts totaling nearly 20,000 acres of gloriously pristine land in East Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest. Action by Tennessee's senators and representatives to provide permanent protection of these tracts in the wilderness bill is crucial, and time is short.
The wilderness bill now before Congress is a slimmed down version of the original 2011 package, which included widely supported additions in 25 states. The trimmer version contains areas designated for wilderness areas that are already being managed as wilderness, and where there is no dispute about the merit of permanent wilderness designation, no roads to be closed, no taxes to be lost, no costs required for purchase. There are only benefits to designating them as lasting wilderness.
For those still following the progress of the Tennessee Wilderness Act of 2011 in Congress, I have mixed news. I recently returned form a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., lobbying in support of U.S.
Sen. Lamar Alexander's bill, and what I can say after meeting with nearly the entire Tennessee delegation is that the gears of government are indeed turning, albeit slowly.
I am a lifelong resident of Hawkins County and East Tennessee and am writing in support of a bill introduced by Sens. Alexander and Corker, which would permanently protect from development, road building, and clear-cutting, 19,556 acres of the Cherokee National Forest. The Tennessee Wilderness Act of 2011 would protect two outstanding areas in upper East Tennessee: 4,446 acres as an addition to the existing Big Laurel Branch Wilderness and 2,922 acres as an addition to the existing Sampson Mountain Wilderness.
Re. the article about Rep. Phil Roe's flight over proposed additional wilderness acres in Northeast Tennessee, it was great to see the congressman took the time to explore the topic and to see in a grand scale what this bill would do to preserve our mountain heritage and ecosystems. Rep. Roe is no stranger to these places, as he has spent time in the Cherokee National Forest, with the ground-level view of an avid hiker.
Jamie Williams, president, the Wilderness Society, Washington, D.C.
Business owner Ed McAlister's guest column highlighted some of the most important reasons why Congress needs to pass the Tennessee Wilderness Act this year ("Wilderness Act would protect our green and our gold," Oct. 20).
For the past couple of months, Washington's only focus has been on the election. As politicians scrambled to win votes, neither party seemed pressed to actually pass any legislation.
After graduating from the University of Tennessee and working in the engineering world, I desired to work in an environment that I loved, so I opened a small business, River Sports Outfitters, here in Knoxville. That enabled me to take my passion for hiking, biking and paddling and make it my livelihood. Today that business has grown to employ 30 people.
Knoxville was the perfect place for me to invest. With mountains and rivers all around, we are surrounded by a natural playground ideal for kayaking, backpacking, climbing and all manner of outdoor pursuits.
William H. Meadows, Immediate Past President, The Wilderness Society
The Tennessean was right when it said (Aug. 21 editorial) that Congress should approve the Tennessee Wilderness Act. The Wilderness Act would protect some of the most beautiful places in the Cherokee National Forest. As a native Tennessean, some of my fondest memories can be traced back to hikes through the Cherokee National Forest, especially along the Appalachian Trail.
One hundred forty-five years ago last week, John Muir walked through East Tennessee on his way from Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico. While best known for his work in the High Sierra with Republican President Teddy Roosevelt, Muir saw his first mountain stream in Tennessee. He was impressed. "The scenery is far grander than any I ever beheld before," exclaimed Muir as he walked south toward the Hiwassee River.
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Tennessee's Wilderness
December 9th, 2012The 112th Congress has a lot of unfinished business that likely will remain undone before the current session concludes, yet there remains strong bipartisan support in both chambers to make some vital permanent additions to the nation's designated wilderness areas before this Congress adjourns. Among these long-sought additions are six outstanding tracts totaling nearly 20,000 acres of gloriously pristine land in East Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest. Action by Tennessee's senators and representatives to provide permanent protection of these tracts in the wilderness bill is crucial, and time is short.
The wilderness bill now before Congress is a slimmed down version of the original 2011 package, which included widely supported additions in 25 states. The trimmer version contains areas designated for wilderness areas that are already being managed as wilderness, and where there is no dispute about the merit of permanent wilderness designation, no roads to be closed, no taxes to be lost, no costs required for purchase. There are only benefits to designating them as lasting wilderness.
Wilderness Act slow going
December 1st, 2012For those still following the progress of the Tennessee Wilderness Act of 2011 in Congress, I have mixed news. I recently returned form a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., lobbying in support of U.S.
Sen. Lamar Alexander's bill, and what I can say after meeting with nearly the entire Tennessee delegation is that the gears of government are indeed turning, albeit slowly.
Support Tennessee Wilderness Act
November 30th, 2012I am a lifelong resident of Hawkins County and East Tennessee and am writing in support of a bill introduced by Sens. Alexander and Corker, which would permanently protect from development, road building, and clear-cutting, 19,556 acres of the Cherokee National Forest. The Tennessee Wilderness Act of 2011 would protect two outstanding areas in upper East Tennessee: 4,446 acres as an addition to the existing Big Laurel Branch Wilderness and 2,922 acres as an addition to the existing Sampson Mountain Wilderness.
SAWS aims to protect public lands
November 14th, 2012Re. the article about Rep. Phil Roe's flight over proposed additional wilderness acres in Northeast Tennessee, it was great to see the congressman took the time to explore the topic and to see in a grand scale what this bill would do to preserve our mountain heritage and ecosystems. Rep. Roe is no stranger to these places, as he has spent time in the Cherokee National Forest, with the ground-level view of an avid hiker.
Letter: Encourage support for Wilderness Act
November 11th, 2012http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/nov/08/letter-encourage-support-wilderness-act/
Jamie Williams, president, the Wilderness Society, Washington, D.C.
Business owner Ed McAlister's guest column highlighted some of the most important reasons why Congress needs to pass the Tennessee Wilderness Act this year ("Wilderness Act would protect our green and our gold," Oct. 20).
Letter: Support of act encouraged
November 11th, 2012http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/nov/09/letter-support-act-encouraged/
J.N. Welch, Knoxville
For the past couple of months, Washington's only focus has been on the election. As politicians scrambled to win votes, neither party seemed pressed to actually pass any legislation.
Letter: Thanks to Roe, Alexander, Corker
November 6th, 2012I was glad to see your Thursday, November 1, article about Congressman Roe's flyover of the proposed wilderness areas in the Cherokee National Forest.
Ed McAlister: Wilderness Act would protect our green and our gold
October 20th, 2012After graduating from the University of Tennessee and working in the engineering world, I desired to work in an environment that I loved, so I opened a small business, River Sports Outfitters, here in Knoxville. That enabled me to take my passion for hiking, biking and paddling and make it my livelihood. Today that business has grown to employ 30 people.
Knoxville was the perfect place for me to invest. With mountains and rivers all around, we are surrounded by a natural playground ideal for kayaking, backpacking, climbing and all manner of outdoor pursuits.
Time to protect wilderness
October 3rd, 2012The Tennessean was right when it said (Aug. 21 editorial) that Congress should approve the Tennessee Wilderness Act. The Wilderness Act would protect some of the most beautiful places in the Cherokee National Forest. As a native Tennessean, some of my fondest memories can be traced back to hikes through the Cherokee National Forest, especially along the Appalachian Trail.
It's time to enact Wilderness Act
October 3rd, 2012One hundred forty-five years ago last week, John Muir walked through East Tennessee on his way from Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico. While best known for his work in the High Sierra with Republican President Teddy Roosevelt, Muir saw his first mountain stream in Tennessee. He was impressed. "The scenery is far grander than any I ever beheld before," exclaimed Muir as he walked south toward the Hiwassee River.