Rep. Nick J. Rahall may try to expand protections for the New and Gauley rivers all the way to their confluence at Gauley Bridge.

Rahall announced the idea late last week during a ceremony celebrating a National Parks Conservation Association award for his work protecting public lands.

"I do not believe we are done protecting this river - this mighty resource," Rahall said during a speech at the ceremony at Sandstone Falls Visitor Center east of Beckley. "The legacy is not complete."

Rahall said that "serious consideration" should be given to extending park boundaries of the New and the Gauley to the point where they meet to form the Kanawha River. He said he would be "consulting with all interested parties to determine the feasibility and suitability of such an endeavor."

Rahall, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, has been a member of that committee during his entire 31 years of service on Congress.

During his first year in the House, in 1977, Rahall introduced a bill to designate the New River Gorge as a national river. His bill was enacted into law the following year. About 53 miles of the New, from Hinton to Ansted, are protected.

Ten years later, Rahall succeeded in designating segments of the Gauley and Meadow rivers as a National Recreation Area, along with a portion of the Bluestone as a National Scenic River. Also, Rahall had the Upper New to Glen Lyn, Va., designated for study and possible inclusion in the wild and scenic rivers system.

"We carved out, here in Southern West Virginia, the largest network of protected rivers in the Eastern United States," Rahall said.

Rahall is already working to greatly expand the wilderness areas in the Monongahela National Forest.

"We are not done furthering the economic development potential [the park] brings to local communities and our citizens," Rahall said. "We are not done ensuring that other developments do not rob our citizens of places to hunt, to fish and to enjoy other forms of outdoor recreation on public lands."

Rahall added that, "Mark Twain once quipped: 'Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.' And the New ain't just a river in West Virginia. It is part of a system that connects us with a far greater ecosystem, that breathes pure air into our souls, uplifts our spirits and inspires us to achieve greater things."

To contact staff writer Ken Ward Jr., use e-mail or call 348-1702.

Rep. Nick J. Rahall may try to expand protections for the New and Gauley rivers all the way to their confluence at Gauley Bridge.

Rahall announced the idea late last week during a ceremony celebrating a National Parks Conservation Association award for his work protecting public lands.

"I do not believe we are done protecting this river - this mighty resource," Rahall said during a speech at the ceremony at Sandstone Falls Visitor Center east of Beckley. "The legacy is not complete."

Rahall said that "serious consideration" should be given to extending park boundaries of the New and the Gauley to the point where they meet to form the Kanawha River. He said he would be "consulting with all interested parties to determine the feasibility and suitability of such an endeavor."

Rahall, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, has been a member of that committee during his entire 31 years of service on Congress.

During his first year in the House, in 1977, Rahall introduced a bill to designate the New River Gorge as a national river. His bill was enacted into law the following year. About 53 miles of the New, from Hinton to Ansted, are protected.

Ten years later, Rahall succeeded in designating segments of the Gauley and Meadow rivers as a National Recreation Area, along with a portion of the Bluestone as a National Scenic River. Also, Rahall had the Upper New to Glen Lyn, Va., designated for study and possible inclusion in the wild and scenic rivers system.

"We carved out, here in Southern West Virginia, the largest network of protected rivers in the Eastern United States," Rahall said.

Rahall is already working to greatly expand the wilderness areas in the Monongahela National Forest.

"We are not done furthering the economic development potential [the park] brings to local communities and our citizens," Rahall said. "We are not done ensuring that other developments do not rob our citizens of places to hunt, to fish and to enjoy other forms of outdoor recreation on public lands."

Rahall added that, "Mark Twain once quipped: 'Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.' And the New ain't just a river in West Virginia. It is part of a system that connects us with a far greater ecosystem, that breathes pure air into our souls, uplifts our spirits and inspires us to achieve greater things."

To contact staff writer Ken Ward Jr., use e-mail or call 348-1702.