News In Brief

Bill for wilderness land in Oregon gets final OK

Congress gave final approval Wednesday to legislation declaring 849,000 acres of roadless national forest land in Oregon as wilderness, to be preserved in its natural state.

The House passed the legislation 281 to 99. The Senate approved the bill on voice vote earlier. It now goes to the White House.

The final version of the bill was a compromise supported by Oregon's two Republican senators, Mark Hatfield and Bob Packwood, and its three Democratic representatives.

Designated wilderness is available for nonmotorized recreation, such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and rafting, but is off limits to motorized recreation and commercial development such as logging.