Update: On Thursday, December 1, 2005, President Bush signed this legislation into law.

November 17, 2005 (Washington, DC) - The Wilderness Society is hailing last night’s Senate passage of legislation to protect more than 10,000 acres of wilderness in the heart of the Caribbean National Forest. The measure now heads to the president’s desk for final approval. Introduced by Congressman Luis Fortuno (R-PR) and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), this legislation will create the first tropical forest wilderness area in the National Forest System, named “El Toro,” and will permanently protect habitat vital to eight endangered species.

“This forest, which was established by Theodore Roosevelt over a century ago, is vitally important to the people of Puerto Rico as a source of clean drinking water and recreational opportunities,” said William H. Meadows, president of The Wilderness Society. “The designation of the El Toro Wilderness will ensure that this one-of-a-kind forest is protected for future generations.”

The legislation has had the support of the Bush administration, and conservationists are confident that the president will sign it.

“The Caribbean National Forest is lucky to have such committed champions,” said Meadows. “Congressman Fortuno and Senator Clinton fought hard to keep this legislation moving. Teddy Roosevelt would be proud to know that we are finally protecting one of his first national forests.”

Located 25 miles east of San Juan, the Caribbean National Forest (CNF) is the biological heart of Puerto Rico. The forest is one of the country's only tropical national forests, home to 50 varieties of orchids and the Puerto Rican parrot, one of the ten most endangered birds in the world. Biologists estimate that this parrot's population has declined from a million at the time of Columbus's arrival to less than 100 today. The forest also features 240 native tree species, more than are found in any other National Forest in the country.

In addition to its ecological significance, the forest is also essential to the people of Puerto Rico. Receiving more than 10 feet of rain a year, the forest has eight major watersheds that provide almost all of the water to over 800,000 residents. In addition, the CNF provides a variety of recreational opportunities to nearly 1 million Puerto Ricans and tourists each year.

Legislation to protect the forest was introduced earlier this year by Congressman Luis Fortuno (R-PR) and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY). Both the House and Senate passed versions of the bill this summer. Unfortunately, the House passed version of the bill was slightly different than the Senate version forcing the Senate to reconsider the new House version this fall.