Final month, a invoice handed by each homes of Congress designated America’s 63rd nationwide park. The transfer upgraded West Virginia’s New River Gorge from a nationwide river to a federally protected vacationer vacation spot.
The present New River Gorge space spans greater than 70,000 acres, however based on Congress’ designation act, it will be divided into two sections: the park and the protect. The park, which incorporates among the most scenic slivers of waterfront, will solely be 7,021 acres. The remaining 65,165 acres will make up the protect, offering ample area for individuals to proceed looking and fishing legally.
Chances are you’ll be stunned to study that the creation of the brand new park was tied to the COVID-19 reduction invoice, however there’s truly an excellent motive: National parks drive tourism {dollars}. After all, the aim of nationwide parks is to understand and protect our nation’s pure gems, however a aspect impact of making a federally protected park is that it turns into a spot of nationwide significance—one that folks will journey from throughout to see, supporting native communities within the course of.
Even earlier than the rise of COVID-19, there was a congressional effort to deem New River Gorge a nationwide park. Now, there are much more advantages of the movement, particularly since road tripping to scenic destinations is among the solely applicable types of trip proper now.
“I’m thrilled laws redesignating the Nationwide River as a Nationwide Park and Protect is included on this legislative bundle,” mentioned Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican from West Virginia, in a statement. “Redesignation of the Nationwide River to a Nationwide Park and Protect will shine a brighter mild on West Virginia and all that it has to supply, and supply one other catalyst for our tourism trade and native companies.”
New River Gorge recurrently attracts out of doors lovers trying to whitewater raft, rock climb, hike, and bungee soar. It has been managed by the Nationwide Park Service since 1978.
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