Shawnee National Forest Conservation Act heads to Senate floor

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — U.S. Senator Dick Durbin released an update about legislation that would protect more than 13,000 acres of Shawnee National Forest.

According to Sen. Durbin, the Shawnee National Forest Conservation Act has passed through the Agriculture Committee and will now go to the Senate floor for a vote. The act, introduced in July, would establish 12,700 acres of special management areas and 750 acres of wilderness in the Shawnee National Forest.

The 12,700 acres of special management areas will be from the following areas:

• 2,953 acres from Camp Hutchins
• 3,445 acres from Ripple Hollow
• 6,310 acres from Burke Branch

The 750 acres of wilderness will be in Camp Hutchins.

“The Shawnee National Forest welcomes thousands of visitors each year, who take advantage of the beautiful views and hiking trails. It’s critical that our natural areas are preserved to ensure that generations of Illinoisans can continue to enjoy all that Shawnee National Forest has to offer. The Shawnee National Forest Conservation Act would protect more than 13,000 acres of one of our state’s richest natural resources.”
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin