Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker on Thursday made the following statements after the Senate’s Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee advanced legislation they introduced earlier this year to preserve Tennessee’s heritage for future generations.
“Conserving some of the wildest, most pristine and beautiful areas in our state gives future generations of Tennesseans the opportunity to enjoy Tennessee’s land and heritage,” Senator Alexander said.
“The Tennessee Wilderness Act would help protect our natural heritage and give the millions of people who visit Tennessee each year an additional reason to come and enjoy our great outdoors. I commend Chairman Roberts, Ranking Member Stabenow and the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee for approving this important legislation, and I hope it can be considered by the full Senate as soon as possible.”
“Millions of people visit Tennessee each year to experience our incredible God-given outdoor amenities, and the Tennessee Wilderness Act will help preserve the Cherokee National Forest for future generations of Americans to enjoy,” said Senator Corker. “I thank Chairman Roberts and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee for supporting this effort and am hopeful the full Senate will consider and pass this legislation in the near future.”
The Tennessee Wilderness Act – legislation introduced earlier this year by Alexander and Corker as well as U.S. Representative Phil Roe (R-Tn.) – would designate nearly 20,000 acres of the Cherokee National Forest as wilderness area. Designation as a wilderness area is the highest level of conservation protection to preserve federal land.
On Thursday, The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry – chaired by Senator Pat Roberts (R-Ks.) – approved the Tennessee Wilderness Act as part of the Federal Land Management Act of 2017. The legislation must now be considered by the full Senate.
"Being a good steward of Cherokee National Forest means taking care of God’s creation for future generations,” said Mason Boring, who is involved with Young Life, an adolescent faith group. "For many in Tennessee and elsewhere, wilderness is a place where people draw close to God. I hope Congress follows Senators Alexander, Corker, and Roberts’ leads and passes the Tennessee Wilderness Act this year.”
Wilbert Griffith, a lifetime sportsman, and trout fisherman said, “Hunting and fishing is part of who we are here in the Volunteer State, and it is important to preserve that heritage. Passing the Tennessee Wilderness Act would conserve critical wildlife habitat and migration areas. I want to thank Senators Alexander, Corker and Roberts for protecting our way of life. Now it is time for Congress to act.”
“We attribute much our success to the vibrancy of the outdoor experience. Knowing our elected officials appreciate the value of protected public lands, such as wilderness areas, brings us great peace in the future of our business. I thank Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker for their steadfast leadership on the Tennessee Wilderness Act and Senator Pat Roberts for helping this move to the Senate floor. Over his tenure, Senator Corker’s involvement for public lands continually benefits our business. Thank you all for your investment our future,” said Jonathan Scott, Rock/Creek Outfitters co-owner.