Published: February 20, 2007 07:53 pm      

Lawmakers look to preserve SW.Va.’s scenic wilderness

BLAND, Va. — Legis-lation introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate would protect and expand national scenic and wilderness areas in Southwest Virginia.

The Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007, co-authored by U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., U.S. Sen. John Warner, R-Va., and U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., would create new national Wilderness Areas, new National Scenic Areas, and would expand six existing Wilderness Areas in portions of Bland, Giles, Smyth, Craig, Grayson, Lee and Montgomery counties within the Jefferson National Forest.

“Southwest Virginia possesses the state’s best outdoor experience, with the highest mountains, most interesting rivers and superb hunting, camping, fishing, hiking and backpacking opportunities,” Boucher said in a news release. “If enacted, the legislation which Sen. Warner and I are introducing would not only designate nearly 55,000 acres of the Jefferson National Forest as Wilderness or National Scenic Areas, thereby protecting their pristine quality, but also would enhance the tourism economy of the region by enticing travelers to visit and enjoy the protected and untouched landscape which Southwest Virginia has to offer. I greatly appreciate Senator Warner’s continued leadership on this legislation, and I am pleased and welcome Sen. Jim Webb to our effort.”

The legislation was just recently introduced by the three lawmakers, Boucher spokesman John Noble said.

The proposed legislation would specifically create six new Wilderness Areas and one new Wilderness Study area within the Jefferson National Forest. It also would create two National Scenic areas while protecting recreational, historic and natural resources in those areas. Boucher said mountain biking would be permitted in the National Scenic Areas, and limited motorized access would be permitted in certain portions of the scenic areas.

In Bland County, the legislation would create the proposed Garden Mountain Wilderness area on a tract extending 3,291 acres along the south face of Garden Mountain, Boucher said. Two trails also are connected with the site. Boucher said the Appalachian Trail parallels the northern boundary along the summit of Garden Mountain while the Lick Creek Trail provides access to the valley bottom.

The legislation also would create the proposed Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness Area along 8,470 acres in Bland County, which is located adjacent to the proposed Garden Mountain Wilderness area. Boucher said the Appalachian Trail also extends along the proposed Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness Area.

The proposed National Scenic Areas designated in the legislation include an expansion of the Mountain Lake Wilderness Area in Giles and Craig counties with an additional 5,476 acres, and the expansion of the Peters Mountain Wilderness area in Giles County to include an additional 1,203 acres. The Kimberling Creek Wilderness Area in Bland County also would be expanded by 612 acres.

“I am pleased to co-sponsor this bill with Sen. Warner and Congressman Boucher,” Webb, an original co-sponsor of the legislation, said in the news release. “We are fully committed to preserving Virginia’s land and waterways — some of the finest this country has to offer.”

“As a father and grandfather, I feel an obligation to ensure that our children have lasting opportunities to enjoy and explore Virginia’s immense natural beauty,” Warner said. “This bill will preserve some of our most pristine lands for future generations and add significantly to the natural attractions of Southwest Virginia.”

Designating a tract of land as wilderness allows the U.S. Forest Service to preserve the scenic and natural character of the land. Boucher said recreational activities such as swimming, hunting, camping, fishing, kayaking, swimming, picnicking, backpacking, bird watching, horseback riding, rock-climbing and others would continue and be encouraged in the new federal designation.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com