Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman French Hill (AR-02) hosted a ceremony celebrating the introduction of a new sign designating the Bethune Woods-Flatside Wilderness in Arkansas's Ouachita National Forest. The ceremony is the culmination of Congressman Hill's legislation, the Flatside Wilderness Enhancement Act, signed into law this past January. This legislation added 640 acres to the existing 9,541-acre site located in Perry County and Saline County, which has served as a popular destination for Arkansas outdoors enthusiasts.

"It's been a real pleasure for me over the last three decades to enjoy Flatside, and now as a member of Congress, to help enhance it so that we will protect this area and make it something special for many generations to come," said Congressman Hill. "This expansion of Flatside creates a special opportunity to preserve our wildlife and natural resources while also boosting Arkansas's economy. I am particularly pleased to celebrate this addition named after a tireless conservationist and advocate for Arkansas's wilderness, former Congressman Ed Bethune. Additionally, I appreciate Senator John Boozman and Congressman Bruce Westerman for their efforts in helping to get my legislation across the finish line.”

Pictured below: Congressman Hill (center right) celebrates the new Bethune Woods-Flatside Wilderness sign with former Congressman Ed Bethune (yellow shirt, center right), U.S. Forest Service leaders, and Arkansas conservation leaders.

Background:
The Flatside Wilderness Enhancement Act, H.R. 5636, was signed into law by President Trump on January 10, 2019. This legislation added to the wilderness area approximately 640 acres of existing National Forest lands next to Forked Mountain which has been depicted as “Recommended Wilderness Additions since 2005.” These areas have been managed as wilderness land since that time. It also named the 640-acre wilderness addition, “Bethune Woods,” in honor of former member of Congress from Arkansas, Ed Bethune, author of the House version of the 1984 Arkansas Wilderness Act. Click HERE to view the map of Flatside Wilderness. 

Additionally, on February 15, 2019, President Trump signed into law H.J.Res.31, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019. This legislation contained a provision authored by Congressman Hill and U.S. Senator John Boozman directing the U.S. Forest Service to conduct a study of additional existing U.S. forest lands located in Perry County and adjacent to the Flatside Wilderness to determine their suitability for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System.