The historic 2014 pollution mess that ruined the public water supply for 300,000 West Virginians showed the crucial importance of protecting Appalachia's clean streams.
Therefore, we hope Congress or President Obama finally approve the proposed Birthplace of Rivers National Monument in Monongahela National Forest, giving special status to 123,000 acres where six West Virginia streams originate. They are the Elk, Greenbrier, Gauley, Cherry, Cranberry and Williams.
For years, outdoors-lovers have urged leaders to declare the zone as the state's first national monument, a designation for certain wild places. It would be mostly a label-change, because the region already is owned by the public in the national forest and administered by the U.S. Forest Service.
"It takes an area that we think is managed well and keeps it that way in perpetuity," the head of the West Virginia Council of Trout Unlimited once explained. A national monument gets extra care and safeguards.
The designation would draw more tourists to the Mountain State. One study projected $5 million additional spending yearly by hikers, campers, hunters, anglers, mountain bikers and other nature fans.
A Web site promoting the project warns that some Congress members want to unleash greater industrial development in national forests - or even sell the forests for commercial gain.
Either Congress or the president can prevent that misfortune by declaring the national monument. We hope all West Virginia leaders press for action.