At the end of last week, Senator John Warner (R-VA) and Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA) introduced a new version of the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act (S. 942/H.R. 1975). The newly introduced measure would protect nearly 43,000 acres of the Jefferson National Forest in southwestern Virginia as wilderness and nearly 12,000 acres as scenic areas. In total, the new bill would designate seven new wilderness areas, add to existing wilderness areas, and create two new National Scenic Areas.
In an interview with the Roanoke Times after the introduction Congressman Boucher said, “Southwest Virginia possesses the state’s best outdoor experience.”
Senator Warner echoed these words saying, “This bill will preserve some of our most pristine lands for future generations.”
If enacted the legislation would permanently protect Brush Mountain in Montgomery County; Brush Mountain East in Craig County, Stone Mountain in Lee County, Raccoon Branch in Smyth County, and Garden Mountain, Hunting Camp Creek and Lynn Camp Creek in Bland County as Wilderness.
The legislation would also expand existing Wilderness in the Peters Mountain area in Giles County; Mountain Lake area in Giles and Craig counties; Shawvers Run area in Craig County; Lewis Fork area in Smyth and Grayson counties; Little Wilson Creek area in Grayson County and Kimberling Creek area in Bland County.
Background
Southwestern Virginia is home to some of the East’s last remaining wild landscapes. Virginia wilderness advocates have been working for many years to designate additional Wilderness areas in the Jefferson National Forest.
Virginia legislators, local and national environmental groups, recreational organizations, the Forest Service and local elected bodies have been working collaboratively for the last few years to put together a proposal to designate new Wilderness and Scenic Areas in the Jefferson National Forest.
In 2004 Sen. John Warner (R-VA) and Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA) introduced the Virginia Ridge and Valley Wilderness and National Scenic Area Act of 2004 (S. 2342/H.R. 4202). The legislation called for the creation of four new Wilderness Areas, expand five existing Wilderness areas and designate two National Scenic Areas in Virginia’s Jefferson National Forest.
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