Delegation Will Attempt To Get The New England Wilderness Bill Back On The Legislative Tracks

WASHINGTON (Wednesday, Sept. 27) – Working to rescue the New England Wilderness Act and its provisions for Vermont, the Vermont Congressional Delegation Wednesday offered a compromise to Gov. James Douglas (R), who now has accepted it.

The Vermont Congressional Delegation – Sen. Patrick Leahy (D), Sen. Jim Jeffords (I) and Congressman Bernie Sanders (I) – proposed again to Governor Douglas that 6,066 acres of the northern part of the proposed Glastenbury wilderness area be removed from the bill. The Governor has accepted it and has agreed to weigh in, if needed, with the same House Republican leaders he had written to earlier -- this time to urge its approval.

The Delegation’s members said they will work around the clock to attempt to bring the modified bill to House and Senate votes, although the regular congressional session is drawing to a close at the end of this week.

[The text of the Vermont Congressional Delegation’s letter to Governor Douglas follows:]

September 27, 2006

The Honorable James H. Douglas

Governor

State of Vermont

109 State Street

Montpelier, VT 05609

Dear Governor Douglas:

We are writing to confirm the compromise that we have all agreed upon in order to secure final passage of S.2463, the New England Wilderness Act of 2006, which unanimously passed the Senate on September 19, 2006.

To address the actionable concerns you expressed in your September 22, 2006 letter to Chairman Pombo, the Delegation will reiterate our previous offer and amend our legislation to remove the approximately 6,000 acres in the proposed Glastenbury Wilderness Area which S. 2463 added to the wilderness study area designated by the Forest Service management plan. Once complete, the Delegation will expect your assistance, should the House and Senate leadership ask you to confirm your support of the legislation, as amended.

It was our strong preference to enact S.2463, as passed with the support of the entire United States Senate, and the vast majority of Vermonters. But, we are glad to have reached an agreement that promises to preserve these unique and carefully selected wild lands for our children and grandchildren. We hope that together with you we can salvage this opportunity at this very late hour in the legislative process.

Sincerely,

(signed)

Patrick Leahy

United States Senator

James Jeffords

United States Senator

Bernie Sanders

Member of Congress