House Passes the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act
Creates Six New Wilderness Areas and Two National Scenic Areas Step on the Path to Protecting What's Left of America's Wild Places
On Tuesday, October 23, the House of Representatives voted to create almost 50,000 acres of new wilderness by passing HR 1011, the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act, sponsored by Representative Rick Boucher (D-Va.). The bill establishes six new Wilderness areas and two National Scenic Areas in Virginia's Jefferson National Forest.
"This vote to pass the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act is an important step towards protecting what's left of America's wild legacy," said Sierra Club representative Myke Bybee.
"We're running out of truly wild places where families can camp, hike, hunt and fish. There are only a handful of places left like this that haven't been logged, mined, drilled, or built on. The majority of our public lands are open for development of some kind," Bybee said. "Wilderness designation is one of the best tools we have to protect what's left of our forests and mountains. Congress is recognizing that more and more with legislation like this."
Wilderness designation offers the highest form of protection for public lands. As National Scenic Areas, Smyth County's Seng Mountain and Bear Creek will be protected from development but will allow mountain biking and limited motorized access. Areas slated for wilderness designation include:
* Stone Mountain, a 3,270-acre stretch of forest adjacent to the North Fork of the Powell River.
* Raccoon Branch, 4223 acres of rugged, high-ridged country prized by hunters, anglers, hikers, and horseback riders.
* Brush Mountain, 4,794 acres of slope characterized by its remoteness and opportunities for solitude.
* Brush Mountain East, 3,769 acres of remote country with stunning creek and mountain views.
* Garden Mountain, 3,291 acres that extend along the rugged south face of Garden Mountain, bordered by the Appalachian Trail.
* Hunting Camp Creek, 8,470 acres of remote country crossed by the Appalachian Trail.
* Lynn Camp Creek, a 3,226-acre tract of forest that includes the northern slope of Brushy Mountain and tranquil Lynn Camp Creek, as well as parts of the Appalachian Trail.
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