CONGRESS CLEARS BOUCHER'S WILDERNESS BILL FOR OBAMA SIGNATURE

Virginia Ridge and Valley Act Permanently Protects 54,000 Acres, Promotes Tourism

            (Washington, D.C.) - The U.S. House of Representatives today approved The Virginia Ridge and Valley Act, bipartisan legislation authored by Congressman Rick Boucher (D-Abingdon)  which creates new Wilderness Areas, new National Scenic Areas and expands six existing Wilderness Areas  in portions of Bland, Craig, Grayson, Giles, Lee, Montgomery and Smyth Counties within the Jefferson National Forest.

             A bi-partisan majority of the Virginia Congressional delegation co-sponsored the bill with Boucher. Since the measure previously received Senate approval, it now goes to President Obama who has promised to sign it.

            "Southwest Virginia possesses the state's best outdoor experience, with the highest mountains, most interesting rivers and excellent hunting, camping, fishing, hiking and backpacking opportunities.  Today's passage of the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act will designate nearly 54,000 acres of the Jefferson National Forest as Wilderness or National Scenic Areas, thereby permanently protecting their pristine quality, while enhancing the tourism economy of the region by enticing travelers to visit and enjoy the superb natural landscape which Southwest Virginia offers," Boucher said.

            The measure was approved as part of the Omnibus Public Lands legislation. During the 110^th Congress, the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act was approved in the House, and identical legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Jim Webb and former Senator John Warner but was not acted on by the Senate. 

            "The success we mark today is due in large part to the tireless work of former Senator John Warner, and I want to thank him for his years of effort to preserve the scenic heritage of Southwest Virginia," Boucher said.

            Designating a tract of land as wilderness enables the U.S. Forest Service to preserve the undisturbed character of the landscape.  Recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, picnicking, backpacking, bird watching, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, spelunking, rock-climbing and many other outdoor activities would be continued and encouraged in the newly designated areas.  At the same time, motorized traffic and mechanized equipment would be banned to prevent any disruption to the ecosystems and diverse wildlife in the areas.

            The legislation passed by the House would designate approximately 43,000 acres of the Jefferson National Forest as Wilderness or Wilderness study areas.  The measure additionally would designate more than 10,000 acres of the Forest as National Scenic Areas.  The National Scenic Area designations in Southwest Virginia would protect the recreational, historic and natural resources in the delineated areas.  Non- motorized mountain biking would be permitted in the National Scenic Areas, and limited motorized access would be permitted in certain portions of the Scenic Areas.

            Each of the proposed Wilderness and National Scenic Area designations has been endorsed by either the U.S. Forest Service or the Board of Supervisors of the County in which the area would be located.  The new Wilderness Areas are:

• Stone Mountain (Cave Springs) - The Stone Mountain proposed Wilderness Area is a 3,270-acre tract of land adjacent to the North Fork of the Powell River in Lee County.  The property is considered to be one of the least disturbed forests in all of Southwest Virginia and is home to rich populations of two rare salamanders.  The Stone Mountain and Payne Branch trails are included as part of the proposed Wilderness Area and provide convenient access for hikers and hunters wishing to visit the Wilderness Area.  The trails are also connected to an adjacent campground at Cave Springs.                

• Raccoon Branch - The Raccoon Branch proposed Wilderness Area is located in Smyth County in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.  The property contains 4,223 acres of extremely rugged country characterized by high ridges and low streams.  Eight major trails provide excellent access for hunters, fishermen, hikers and horseback riders and two nearby campgrounds serve as convenient trailheads.  In addition, 4.5 miles of the Appalachian Trail also traverses the proposed Wilderness Area.

• Brush Mountain - The Brush Mountain proposed Wilderness Area is located in Montgomery County, near the Town of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech.  The area is 4,794 acres in size and extends approximately 8 miles along the northwest slope of Brush Mountain.  The property is characterized largely by its remoteness, despite its proximity to the suburbs of Blacksburg, providing hunters and hikers with a feeling of true wilderness solitude.

• Brush Mountain East - The Brush Mountain East proposed Wilderness Area is adjacent to the Brush Mountain proposed Wilderness Area and is located in Craig County.  This tract is 3,743 acres in size and shares many of the characteristics of its neighboring proposed Wilderness Area.  Brush Mountain East also possesses excellent views along Craig Creek and Brush Mountain's steep mountain face and is near the Audie Murphy Monument lookout near the top of the ridge.

• Garden Mountain - The Garden Mountain proposed Wilderness Area is located in Bland County.  The tract is 3,291 acres and extends along the rugged south face of Garden Mountain.  Lick Creek lies at the foot of this steep ridgeline.  There are two developed trails associated with the proposal.  The Appalachian Trail parallels the northern boundary along the summit of Garden Mountain, while the Lick Creek Trail provides access to the valley bottom.

• Hunting Camp Creek - Hunting Camp Creek proposed Wilderness Area (8,470 acres) in Bland County is adjacent to the proposed Garden Mountain Wilderness.  The valleys of Hunting Camp Creek and Little Wolf Creek provide excellent opportunities for solitude and a true wilderness experience.  The valleys of both creeks show evidence of the past workings of beaver including old dams and long chains of marshy areas.  The Appalachian Trail traverses this wild, scenic area.

• Lynn Camp Creek - The Lynn Camp Creek proposed Wilderness Study Area (3,226 acres) is located in Bland County.  Lynn Camp includes the northern slope of Brushy Mountain.  This steep ridge descends to the tranquil Lynn Camp Creek.  North of Lynn Camp Creek lies the Lynn Camp Mountain.  Two trails traverse this gem.  The Appalachian Trail moves from south to north, while the Lynn Camp Trail follows the course of Lynn Camp Creek from east to west.  The proposed Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area will be studied by the Forest Service for possible designation by Congress as Wilderness.  Until Congress acts, this area will be managed as Wilderness.

            The proposed National Scenic Areas designated in the legislation are:

• Seng Mountain - The Seng Mountain proposed National Scenic Area is 5,192 acres in size and is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Smyth County.  Rowland Creek Falls, a 45-foot cascading waterfall, is a major scenic attraction in the area.  The area also includes a network of recreational trails, and convenient access is provided to visitors via the Hurricane Campground and Skulls Gap Picnic Area.

• Bear Creek - The Bear Creek proposed National Scenic Area is located in Smyth County and includes 5,128 acres.  The area extends from the crest of Walker Mountain southward to the crest of Brushy Mountain and includes the enclosed valley between the two mountains.  An extensive network of trails is included in the proposed area, including more than four miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

            In addition, the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act will expand six existing Wilderness Areas to protect the unique and undisturbed landscape of the region. The Mountain Lake Wilderness Area in Giles and Craig Counties will be expanded to include an additional 5,476 acres; the Lewis Fork Wilderness Area in Smyth and Grayson Counties will be expanded an additional 308 acres; the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness Area in Grayson County will be expanded by 1,845 acres; Shawvers Run Wilderness Area which is located in Craig County will be expanded to include an additional 2,249 acres of Wilderness; Peters Mountain Wilderness Area which is located in Giles County will be expanded to include an additional 1,203 acres of Wilderness; and the Kimberling Creek Wilderness Area in Bland County will be expanded by 612 acres.

            "I am pleased that Congress has approved this legislation which will protect the scenic beauty and natural heritage which characterizes Southwest Virginia. I want to thank Senator Webb and Senator Mark Warner and my Virginia House colleagues for their support of this worthwhile measure," Boucher concluded.

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