Obama Signs Largest Wilderness Bill in Decades

[Stew]

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama signed legislation Monday setting aside more than 2 million acres in nine states as protected wilderness....

Environmental groups and lawmakers in both parties said the law will strengthen the national park system, restore national forests, preserve wild and scenic rivers, protect battlefields and restore balance to the management of public lands....

The depth of support for this law by people from all walks of life, as well as the size, scope and diversity of the lands protected, are a clear indication Americans recognize that our wild lands must and do serve many purposes — not the least of which is as a place to hunt, fish, hike, camp, watch birds and just find solitude....

Full article here.

Full text of law here.