Capito, Senate committee colleagues hold hearing on New River Gorge proposal

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) on Feb. 22 joined U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, during a committee hearing convened by him on their bill to designate the New River Gorge National River in West Virginia as the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

The full committee field hearing was held at the Tamarack Conference Center in Beckley, W.Va., to receive testimony on the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Designation Act, S. 2555, which Sen. Capito sponsored in September 2019 with cosponsor Sen. Manchin.

“The New River Gorge is such an important part of West Virginia and a real source of pride in our state,” Sen. Capito said. “Hearing from government officials, community leaders, business owners, sportsmen, and the general public during our field hearing today gave everyone involved a stronger appreciation of all the varying perspectives involved in this effort, and underscored to me that this legislation would benefit the region and those who call it home.”

If enacted, S. 2555 would maintain hunting, fishing and trapping on privately owned land and preserve and help grow the outdoor recreation industry on the New River, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Capito’s office.

“Moving forward, it is vital that we continue working together to make decisions that are in the best interests of our state and growing our economy,” said Sen. Capito. “Redesignation of the National River to a National Park and Preserve will shine a brighter light on West Virginia and all that it has to offer, and provide another catalyst for our tourism industry and local businesses.”

Sen. Manchin said the field hearing was another opportunity to gather feedback from West Virginians “about this exciting opportunity for our state.”

Hearing witnesses included representatives from the New River Gorge National River, the West Virginia Wildlife Federation, River Expedition, and the West Virginia Department of Commerce.