{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-capito-miller-ensure-legislation-included-in-year-end-package-to-establish-new-river-gorge-as-park-and-preserve", "Manchin, Capito, Miller Ensure Legislation Included In Year-End Package To Establish New River Gorge As Park And Preserve", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 21, 2020\n\t\t\t Manchin, Capito, Miller Ensure Legislation Included In Year-End Package To Establish New River Gorge As Park And Preserve \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, DC \r\nU.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) andShelley Moore Capito (R-WV), along\r\nwith Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV-3) today issued the following statements\r\nregarding the inclusion of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve\r\nDesignation Actlegislation that would redesignate the New River Gorge\r\nNational River as the New River Gorge National Park and Preservein the\r\nyear-end legislative package. This redesignation will promote the beauty and\r\nhistorical significance of the New River Gorge by making the site just the 63rd\r\nNational Park and 20th National Preserve in the United States, while ensuring\r\nthat the longstanding traditions of hunting and fishing are protected for\r\ngenerations to come. Congress\r\nis expected to vote on the year-end legislative package soon, which includes\r\nthis legislation and several other provisions that will benefit West\r\nVirginians. The New River Gorge is truly one of West Virginia's most\r\ntreasured playgrounds and largest tourist attractions because of its whitewater\r\nrafting, hunting, fishing, outdoor sports and natural beauty. This designation\r\nwill increase the international recognition by highlighting West Virginia's\r\nworld-class beauty and resources. Over the last two years we have met with\r\noutdoorsmen, businesses and local leaders and other interested groups to ensure\r\nthis designation will promote the beauty and rich history of the New River\r\nGorge, while ensuring that the longstanding traditions of hunting and fishing\r\nare protected for generations to come,said Senator Manchin. The New River Gorge is such an important part of West Virginia and a real source of pride in our state. I am thrilled legislation redesignating the National River as a National Park and Preserve is included in this legislative package. 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. I'm grateful to all of the West Virginianssportsmen, business owners, and constituentsfor their feedback and involvement during this entire process. Throughout all of these discussions, it has become clear that this redesignation would bring enormous benefits to the region and those who call it home. I look forward to a strong bipartisan vote on this so we can send this to President Trump's desk for his signature,Senator Capito said. I\r\nam excited to see our legislation to redesignate the New River Gorge as a\r\nNational Park and Preserve be voted on, said Congresswoman Miller. The\r\nNew River Gorge is home to all West Virginia has to offer - our beauty, small\r\nbusinesses, and adventurous tourism opportunities. This legislation will\r\npreserve and protect the New River Gorge for generations to come and make our\r\nstate an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.  BACKGROUND: In October 2019, Senators Manchin and Capito introduced the New\r\nRiver Gorge Park and Preserve Designation Act, while Congresswoman\r\nMiller introduced the companion bill in the House. The legislation will\r\nmaintain hunting and fishing within the preserve areaareas where sportsmen\r\ncurrently enjoy hunting and fishing. The legislation also specifically protects\r\nhunting, fishing, and trapping on privately owned land and will preserve and\r\nhelp grow the vibrant outdoor recreation industry on the New River. The New\r\nRiver Gorge has a long and rich history, which is also preserved through this\r\nlegislation. Since originally introducing, the legislation has been\r\nadjusted to include several changes that would: \r\nCreate a 65,165 acre Preserve and a 7,021 acre Park. \r\nOpen up 368 acres to hunting in Grandview for the first time ever. \r\nKeeps\r\nopen 301 acres of the Lower Gorge following the requests of local hunters. \r\nAuthorize the National Park System (NPS) to bid on additional land\r\nfor the Preserve that amounts to 3,711 acres. \r\nAuthorizes the NPS to acquire up to 100 acres for parking only,\r\nwhich is needed as the area has seen an increase in visitors. For\r\nfull text of the legislation, click\r\nhere. To\r\nview images of the maps, click\r\nhere. To\r\nview a one-pager on the bill, click\r\nhere. For\r\nmore information on the New River Gorge, click\r\nhere.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-capito-miller-ensure-legislation-included-in-year-end-package-to-establish-new-river-gorge-as-park-and-preserve"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.34748306684196, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}