BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A compromise bill put forward by Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho to create a protected wilderness area in central Idaho has passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

The wilderness plan passed Monday that now heads to the U.S. Senate would protect about 300,000 acres in three different areas in the rugged Boulder and White Cloud mountains. A previous plan by Simpson to designate a wilderness in the area has failed for years.

Groups dismayed with the lack of results are asking President Barack Obama to use his executive power under the Antiquities Act to create a 592,000-acre national monument instead. Simpson says he doesn't foresee any objections in the Senate and expects the wilderness bill to pass this time.

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