HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 40
(By Delegates Perry, Anderson, Andes, Argento, Armstead, Azinger,
Barker, Beach, Boggs, Border, Browning, Burdiss, Campbell, Cann,
Canterbury, Caputo, Craig, Crosier, Doyle, Duke, Eldridge,
Ellem, Ellis, Ennis, Evans, Fragale, Frederick, Gall, Hamilton,
Hartman, Higgins, Hrutkay, Hutchins, Iaquinta, Ireland, Kessler,
Klempa, Kominar, Lane, Long, Longstreth, Manchin, Martin,
Michael, Miley, C. Miller, J. Miller, Moore, Morgan, Moye,
Paxton, Perdue, Pethtel, Pino, D. Poling, M. Poling, Porter,
Proudfoot, Reynolds, Rodighiero, Romine, Rowan, Schadler, Shaver,
Shook, Sobonya, Spencer, Staggers, Stalnaker, Stemple, Stephens,
Sumner, Swartzmiller, Tabb, Talbott, Tansill, Mr. Speaker, Mr.
Thompson, Tucker, Varner, Walters, White, Williams, Wysong and
Yost)
Requesting the United States Park Service to continue permitting
hunting on areas controlled by New River Gorge National River.
Whereas, West Virginia is a state with a rich hunting heritage;
and
Whereas, Since the creation of the New River Gorge National
River in 1979, hunters, fishermen and outdoorsmen of all kinds have
enjoyed the area for recreational purpose; and
Whereas, The National Park Service is considering prohibiting
hunting in areas controlled by the New River Gorge National River
by designating it a wilderness area; and
Whereas, The prohibition of hunting in the New River Gorge
National River area would have a drastic impact, not only with the
continuation of West Virginia's hunting traditions, but would
impact the economic stability of the area; and
Whereas, The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
strongly opposes any attempt to abolish hunting in the New River
Gorge National River area, and believes that the National Park
Service should place additional emphasis on the active management
of all wildlife in the area. If the animal population of the area
is not controlled, consequences such as malnutrition, disease and
increased animal-human conflict, along with the elimination of
plant species could be disastrous. Hunting is a valuable
management tool to these concerns; and
Whereas, Our delegation to the United States Congress should
enact legislation that would prohibit any superintendent of
director of our National Parks from solely deciding whether a park
or any part thereof should be a wilderness area, recreational area,
or an area that permits hunting; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the House of Delegates hereby requests the Park Services
to continue to permit hunting in the New River Gorge National River area; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the House of Delegates is concerned
about the economic impact that prohibiting hunting in the New River
Gorge National River would have on a tri-county area; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a certified copy of this resolution to the director of
National Park Service, the members of the West Virginia Delegation
to the United States Congress and to the Superintendent of the New
River Gorge National River.
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