The vote is on a compromise bill to designate 16,500 acres as federally protected wilderness in the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. Although this was one of the smallest of the many wilderness bills to pass Congress in 1984, it was also one of the most controversial. The St. Joe Mining Company wanted to mine lead deposits in the area. The company, the Reagan Administration and the local Congressman all opposed the bill.

Designation of the Irish Wilderness was first recommended by the U.S. Forest Service in 1949, and another Forest Service review in 1979 considered it the most important potential wilderness area in the state. The Irish Wilderness contains unique geological features including springs, sink holes and caves, and good habitat for many kinds of wildlife including wild turkey and black bear. It also has historical importance as the site of an early Irish settlement.

Conference Report establishing the Irish Wilderness adopted 255-142; May 2, 1984. YES is the pro-environment vote. (Adoption of the Conference Report, S. 64.) President Reagan opposed the Conference Report, although he signed the bill into law after it passed Congress.