69–010 

Calendar No. 781 

110TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! SENATE 2d Session 110–349 

VIRGINIA RIDGE AND VALLEY ACT 

JUNE 16, 2008.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. BINGAMAN, from the Committee on Energy and Natural 

Resources, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany S. 570] 

The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was 

referred the bill (S. 570) to designate additional National Forest 

System lands in the State of Virginia as wilderness or a wilderness 

study area, to designate the Kimberling Creek Potential Wilderness Area for eventual incorporation in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness, to establish the Seng Mountain and Bear Creek Scenic 

Areas, to provide for the development of trail plans for the wilderness areas and scenic areas, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and 

recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass. 

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof 

the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2008’’. 

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 

In this Act: 

(1) SCENIC AREAS.—The term ‘‘scenic areas’’ means the Seng Mountain National Scenic Area and the Bear Creek National Scenic Area. 

(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of Agriculture. 

SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF ADDITIONAL NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND IN JEFFERSON NATIONAL FOREST, VIRGINIA, AS WILDERNESS OR A WILDERNESS STUDY AREA. 

(a) DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS.—Section 1 of Public Law 100–326 (16 U.S.C. 

1132 note; 102 Stat. 584, 114 Stat. 2057), is amended— 

(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘System—’’ and inserting ‘‘System:’’; 

(2) by striking ‘‘certain’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Certain’’; 

(3) in each of paragraphs (1) through (6), by striking the semicolon at the end 

and inserting a period; 

(4) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting a period; and 


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(5) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(9) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising approximately 

3,743 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘Brush Mountain and 

Brush Mountain East’ and dated May 5, 2008, which shall be known as the ‘Brush Mountain East Wilderness’. ‘‘(10) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising approximately 

4,794 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘Brush Mountain and 

Brush Mountain East’ and dated May 5, 2008, which shall be known as the ‘Brush Mountain Wilderness’. ‘‘(11) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising approximately 

4,223 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch’ and dated April 28, 2008, which shall be known as the ‘Raccoon 

Branch Wilderness’. ‘‘(12) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising approximately 

3,270 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘Stone Mountain’ and 

dated April 28, 2008, which shall be known as the ‘Stone Mountain Wilderness’. ‘‘(13) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising approximately 

8,470 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘Garden Mountain and 

Hunting Camp Creek’ and dated April 28, 2008, which shall be known as the ‘Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness’. ‘‘(14) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising approximately 

3,291 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘Garden Mountain and 

Hunting Camp Creek’ and dated April 28, 2008, which shall be known as the ‘Garden Mountain Wilderness’. ‘‘(15) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising approximately 

5,476 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘Mountain Lake Additions’ and dated April 28, 2008, which is incorporated in the Mountain Lake 

Wilderness designated by section 2(6) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 

U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–586). ‘‘(16) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising approximately 

308 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘Lewis Fork Addition and 

Little Wilson Creek Additions’ and dated April 28, 2008, which is incorporated 

in the Lewis Fork Wilderness designated by section 2(3) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–586). ‘‘(17) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising approximately 

1,845 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘Lewis Fork Addition and 

Little Wilson Creek Additions’ and dated April 28, 2008, which is incorporated 

in the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness designated by section 2(5) of the Virginia 

Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–586). ‘‘(18) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising approximately 

2,219 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘Shawvers Run Additions’ and dated April 28, 2008, which is incorporated in the Shawvers Run Wilderness designated by paragraph (4). ‘‘(19) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising approximately 

1,203 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘Peters Mountain Addition’ and dated April 28, 2008, which is incorporated in the Peters Mountain 

Wilderness designated by section 2(7) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 

U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–586). ‘‘(20) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising approximately 

263 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘Kimberling Creek Additions and Potential Wilderness Area’ and dated April 28, 2008, which is incorporated in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness designated by section 2(2) of the 

Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–586).’’. (b) DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREA.—Section (6)(a) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–586) is amended— (1) by striking ‘‘certain’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Certain’’; 

(2) in each of paragraphs (1) and (2), by striking the semicolon at the end and 

inserting a period; 

(3) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting a period; and 

(4) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(5) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising approximately 

3,226 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area’ and dated April 28, 2008, which shall be known as the 

‘Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area’.’’. 

SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF KIMBERLING CREEK POTENTIAL WILDERNESS AREA, JEFFERSON 

NATIONAL FOREST, VIRGINIA. 

(a) DESIGNATION.—In furtherance of the purposes of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 

1131 et seq.), certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising approximately 349 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Kimberling Creek AdVerDate Aug 31 2005 16:15 Jun 17, 2008 Jkt 069010 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6621 E:\HR\OC\SR349.XXX SR349

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ditions and Potential Wilderness Area’’ and dated April 28, 2008, is designated as 

a potential wilderness area for incorporation in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness 

designated by section 2(2) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 

note; Public Law 98–586). 

(b) MANAGEMENT.—Except as provided in subsection (c) and subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary shall manage the potential wilderness area in accordance 

with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.). 

(c) ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION.— (1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of ecological restoration (including the elimination of nonnative species, removal of illegal, unused, or decommissioned 

roads, and any other activity necessary to restore the natural ecosystems in the 

potential wilderness area), the Secretary may use motorized equipment and 

mechanized transport in the potential wilderness area until the date on which 

the potential wilderness area is incorporated into the Kimberling Creek Wilderness. (2) LIMITATION.—To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall use 

the minimum tool or administrative practice necessary to accomplish ecological 

restoration with the least amount of adverse impact on wilderness character 

and resources. 

(d) WILDNESS DESIGNATION.—The potential wilderness area shall be designated as 

wilderness and incorporated in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness on the earlier of— (1) the date on which the Secretary publishes in the Federal Register notice 

that the conditions in the potential wilderness area that are incompatible with 

the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) have been removed; or 

(2) the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act. 

SEC. 5. SENG MOUNTAIN AND BEAR CREEK SCENIC AREAS, JEFFERSON NATIONAL FOREST, 

VIRGINIA. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There are designated as National Scenic Areas— (1) certain National Forest System land in the Jefferson National Forest, comprising approximately 5,192 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled 

‘‘Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch’’ and dated April 28, 2008, which shall be 

known as the ‘‘Seng Mountain National Scenic Area’’; and 

(2) certain National Forest System land in the Jefferson National Forest, comprising approximately 5,128 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled 

‘‘Bear Creek’’ and dated April 28, 2008, which shall be known as the ‘‘Bear 

Creek National Scenic Area’’. (b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the scenic areas are— (1) to ensure the protection and preservation of scenic quality, water quality, 

natural characteristics, and water resources of the scenic areas; 

(2) consistent with paragraph (1), to protect wildlife and fish habitat in the 

scenic areas; 

(3) to protect areas in the scenic areas that may develop characteristics of oldgrowth forests; and 

(4) consistent with paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), to provide a variety of recreation opportunities in the scenic areas. 

(c) ADMINISTRATION.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall administer the scenic areas in accordance with— (A) this Act; and 

(B) the laws (including regulations) generally applicable to the National 

Forest System. 

(2) AUTHORIZED USES.—The Secretary shall only allow uses of the scenic areas 

that the Secretary determines will further the purposes of the scenic areas, as 

described in subsection (b). 

(d) MANAGEMENT PLAN.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, 

the Secretary shall develop as an amendment to the land and resource management 

plan for the Jefferson National Forest a management plan for the scenic areas. 

(2) EFFECT.—Nothing in this subsection requires the Secretary to revise the 

land and resource management plan for the Jefferson National Forest under 

section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 

1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604). 

(e) ROADS.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), after the date of enactment of this Act, no roads shall be established or constructed within the scenic 

areas. 

(2) LIMITATION.—Nothing in this subsection denies any owner of private land 

(or an interest in private land) that is located in a scenic area the right to access the private land. 


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(f) TIMBER HARVEST.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), no harvesting 

of timber shall be allowed within the scenic areas. 

(2) EXCEPTIONS.—The Secretary may authorize harvesting of timber in the 

scenic areas if the Secretary determines that the harvesting is necessary to—

(A) control fire; 

(B) provide for public safety or trail access; or 

(C) control insect and disease outbreaks. 

(3) FIREWOOD FOR PERSONAL USE.—Firewood may be harvested for personal 

use along perimeter roads in the scenic areas, subject to any conditions that the 

Secretary may impose. 

(g) INSECT AND DISEASE OUTBREAKS.—The Secretary may control insect and disease outbreaks—

(1) to maintain scenic quality; 

(2) to prevent tree mortality; 

(3) to reduce hazards to visitors; or 

(4) to protect private land. 

(h) VEGETATION MANAGEMENT.—The Secretary may engage in vegetation manipulation practices in the scenic areas to maintain the visual quality and wildlife 

clearings in existence on the date of enactment of this Act. 

(i) MOTORIZED VEHICLES.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), motorized vehicles 

shall not be allowed within the scenic areas. 

(2) EXCEPTIONS.—The Secretary may authorize the use of motorized vehicles—

(A) to carry out administrative activities that further the purposes of the 

scenic areas, as described in subsection (b); 

(B) to assist wildlife management projects in existence on the date of enactment of this Act; and 

(C) during deer and bear hunting seasons—

(i) on Forest Development Roads 49410 and 84b; and 

(ii) on the portion of Forest Development Road 6261 designated on 

the map described in subsection (a)(2) as ‘‘open seasonally’’. 

(j) WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION.—Wildfire suppression within the scenic areas shall be 

conducted—

(1) in a manner consistent with the purposes of the scenic areas, as described 

in subsection (b); and 

(2) using such means as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. 

(k) WATER.—The Secretary shall administer the scenic areas in a manner that 

maintains and enhances water quality. 

(l) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal land in the scenic 

areas is withdrawn from—

(1) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and 

(2) operation of the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing law. 

SEC. 6. TRAIL PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT. 

(a) TRAIL PLAN.—The Secretary, in consultation with interested parties, shall establish a trail plan to develop—

(1) in a manner consistent with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), 

hiking and equestrian trails in the wilderness areas designated by paragraphs 

(9) through (20) of section 1 of Public Law 100–326 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note) (as 

added by section 3(a)(5)); and 

(2) nonmotorized recreation trails in the scenic areas. 

(b) IMPLEMENTATION REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 

of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes the implementation of the trail plan, including the identification of priority trails for development. 

(c) SUSTAINABLE TRAIL REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall develop a sustainable 

trail, using a contour curvilinear alignment, to provide for nonmotorized travel 

along the southern boundary of the Raccoon Branch Wilderness established by section 1(11) of Public Law 100–326 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note) (as added by section 3(a)(5)) 

connecting to Forest Development Road 49352 in Smyth County, Virginia. 

SEC. 7. MAPS AND BOUNDARY DESCRIPTIONS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, 

the Secretary shall file with the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 

Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture 

of the House of Representatives maps and boundary descriptions of—

(1) the scenic areas; 


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(2) the wilderness areas designated by paragraphs (9) through (20) of section 

1 of Public Law 100–326 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note) (as added by section 3(a)(5)); 

(3) the wilderness study area designated by section 6(a)(5) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–586) (as added by section 3(b)(4)); and 

(4) the potential wilderness area designated by section 4(a). 

(b) FORCE AND EFFECT.—The maps and boundary descriptions filed under subsection (a) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except 

that the Secretary may correct any minor errors in the maps and boundary descriptions. 

(c) AVAILABILITY OF MAP AND BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION.—The maps and boundary 

descriptions filed under subsection (a) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service. 

(d) CONFLICT.—In the case of a conflict between a map filed under subsection (a) 

and the acreage of the applicable areas specified in this Act, the map shall control. 

SEC. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE. 

Any reference in the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) to the effective date 

of that Act shall be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this 

Act for purposes of administering—

(1) the wilderness areas designated by paragraphs (9) through (20) of section 

1 of Public Law 100–326 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note) (as added by section 3(a)(5)); and 

(2) the potential wilderness area designated by section 4(a). 

PURPOSE

The purposes of S. 570 are to designate certain National Forest 

System lands in the State of Virginia as wilderness, a wilderness 

study area, and national scenic areas, and to provide for the development of trail plans for those areas. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED

The Jefferson National Forest is composed of approximately 

725,000 acres located primarily in the Appalachian Mountains of 

southwestern Virginia. Currently, the Jefferson National Forest 

contains 11 wilderness areas totaling approximately 57,000 acres. 

The Jefferson National Forest contains some of the best wildland 

recreation and habitat in Virginia, and is host to millions of visitors, hundreds of species of birds, and many dozens of species of 

mammals, fish, amphibians, and reptiles, It has an existing transportation network of nearly 3,000 miles of roads. 

The Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2008 would designate nearly 40,000 additional acres of wilderness and more than 10,000 

acres as National Scenic Areas. Specifically, the bill designates six 

new wilderness areas, additions to six existing wilderness areas, a 

wilderness study area, a potential wilderness area, and two National Scenic Areas, and directs the Forest Service to develop trail 

plans. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

S. 570 was introduced by Senators Warner and Webb on February 13, 2007, and the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests 

held a hearing on the bill on April 15, 2008. At its business meeting on May 7, 2008, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources ordered S. 570 favorably reported, with an amendment in 

the nature of a substitute. 

A companion measure, H.R. 1011, was reported by the Committee on Natural Resources in the House of Representatives on 

September 4, 2007, with an amendment. It passed the House of 


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Representatives by voice vote on October 23, 2007, with an additional amendment. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in open business session on May 7, 2008, by a voice vote of a quorum present, 

recommends that the Senate pass S. 570, if amended as described 

herein. 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

The amendment recommended by the Committee includes a 

number of adjustments to the boundaries of the designated areas 

to improve manageability and to address a number of other concerns raised by the Administration and other interested parties. 

The amendment also provides additional flexibility regarding the 

development of a trail along the southern boundary of the Raccoon 

Branch Wilderness, permits seasonal motorized access on specific 

Forest Service roads within the scenic areas, and includes numerous technical and conforming changes. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1 contains the short title of the bill. 

Section 2 contains the definitions for the bill. 

Section 3 designates certain lands in the Jefferson National forest as Wilderness by amending section 1 of Public Law 100–326 (as 

amended by Public Law 106–471) to add the following twelve paragraphs, beginning with paragraph (9): 

Paragraph (9) designates approximately 3,743 acres 

(identified as ‘‘Brush Mountain East’’ on the referenced 

map) to be known as the Brush Mountain East Wilderness. 

Paragraph (10) designates approximately 4,794 acres 

(identified as ‘‘Brush Mountain’’ on the referenced map) to 

be known as the Brush Mountain Wilderness. A 500-foot 

utility corridor, which is generally described in the Jefferson National Forest’s land and resource management plan 

and is generally depicted on the map, separates the Brush 

Mountain Wilderness from the Brush Mountain East Wilderness. The boundary of the wilderness also is described 

by other notations on the map, such as 100 feet from the 

center of an adjacent road that is depicted on the map. 

Paragraph (11) designates approximately 4,223 acres 

(identified as ‘‘Raccoon Branch’’ on the referenced map) to 

be known as the Raccoon Branch Wilderness. The Virginia 

Highlands Horse Trail is a popular trail in the area, and 

a portion of the Trail would be within the Raccoon Branch 

Wilderness. In its testimony before the Committee, the 

Forest Service stated that cooperative agreements and 

commitments from user groups to help maintain that portion of the trail would be necessary to protect the resources and to provide for continued equestrian use of the 

trail. It is the Committee’s understanding that a number 

of local user groups have volunteered to do so and agrees 


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that such cooperation will be helpful to the successful implementation of that aspect of the bill. 

Paragraph (12) designates approximately 3,270 acres 

(identified as ‘‘Stone Mountain’’ on the referenced map) to 

be known as the Stone Mountain Wilderness. 

Paragraph (13) designates approximately 8,470 acres 

(identified as ‘‘Hunting Camp Creek’’ on the referenced 

map) to be known as the Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness. 

Paragraph (14) designates approximately 3,291 acres 

(identified as ‘‘Garden Mountain’’ on the referenced map) 

to be known as the Garden Mountain Wilderness. 

Paragraph (15) designates approximately 5,476 acres 

(identified as ‘‘Mountain Lake Addition A’’, ‘‘Mountain 

Lake Addition B’’, and ‘‘Mountain Lake Addition C’’ on the 

referenced map) as an addition to the Mountain Lake Wilderness designated by section 2(6) of Public Law 98–586. 

Paragraph (16) designates approximately 308 acres 

(identified as ‘‘Lewis Fork Addition’’ on the referenced 

map) as an addition to the Lewis Fork Wilderness designated section 2(3) of Public Law 98–586. 

Paragraph (17) designates approximately 1,845 acres 

(identified as ‘‘Little Wilson Creek Addition A’’, ‘‘Little Wilson Creek Addition B’’, and ‘‘Little Wilson Creek Addition 

C’’ on the referenced map) as an addition to the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness designated section 2(5) of Public 

Law 98–586. 

Paragraph (18) designates approximately 2,219 acres 

(identified as ‘‘Shawvers Run Addition A’’, ‘‘Shawvers Run 

Addition B’’, and ‘‘Shawvers Run Addition C’’ on the referenced map) as an addition to the Shawvers Run Wilderness designated by paragraph 4 of Public Law 1O0–326 (as 

amended by Public Law 106–471). 

Paragraph (19) designates approximately 1,203 acres 

(identified as ‘‘Peters Mountain Addition’’ on the referenced map) as an addition to the Peters Mountain Wilderness designated by section 2(7) of Public Law 98–586. 

Paragraph (20) designates approximately 263 acres 

(identified as ‘‘Kimberling Creek Addition A’’ and 

‘‘Kimberling Creek Addition B’’ on the referenced map) as 

an addition to the Kimberling Creek Wilderness designated by section 2(2) of Public Law 98–586. 

Subsection (b)—designates approximately 3,226 acres (identified 

as ‘‘Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study’’ on the referenced map) 

as the Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area by adding a new 

paragraph (5) to section 6(a) of Public Law 98–586. 

Section 4(a) designates approximately 349 acres of the Jefferson 

National Forest (identified as ‘‘Kimberling Creek Potential Wilderness’’ on the referenced map) as a potential wilderness area to be 

added to the Kimberling Creek Wilderness designated by section 

2(2) of Public Law 98–586. 

Subsection (b) directs the Secretary of Agriculture (hereafter referred to as ‘‘Secretary’’) to manage the potential wilderness area 

as wilderness, subject to valid existing rights and the provisions in 

subsection (c). 


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Subsection (c) provides that the Secretary may use motorized 

equipment and mechanized transport in the potential wilderness 

area for ecological restoration until it is designated as wilderness. 

The use of motorized equipment and mechanized transport also is 

subject to the limitation that the Secretary shall, to the maximum 

extent practicable, use the minimum tool or administrative practice 

necessary to accomplish ecological restoration with the least 

amount of adverse impact on wilderness character and resources. 

Subsection (d) states that the potential wilderness area shall be 

designated as wilderness either on the date on which the Secretary 

publishes in the Federal Register notice that the conditions in the 

potential wilderness area that are incompatible with the Wilderness Act have been removed or five years after the date of the enactment, whichever is earlier. 

Section 5 designates (1) approximately 5,192 acres of the Jefferson National Forest (identified as ‘‘Seng Mountain’’ on the referenced map) as a National Scenic Area to be known as the Seng 

Mountain National Scenic Area and (2) approximately 5,128 acres 

of the Jefferson National Forest (identified as ‘‘Bear Creek’’ on the 

referenced map) as a National Scenic Area to be known as the Bear 

Creek National Scenic Area. 

Subsection (b) provides the purposes for which the National Scenic Areas are established. 

Subsection (c) directs the Secretary to administer the National 

Scenic Areas in accordance with this Act and the laws and regulations generally applicable to the National Forest System, but shall 

only allow such uses as will further the purposes established in 

subsection (b). 

Subsection (d) directs the Secretary to develop a management 

plan for the National Scenic Areas through an amendment to the 

Jefferson National Forest land and resource management plan 

within two years after the date of enactment. It also makes clear 

that this section does not require the Secretary to revise the entire 

land and resource management plan. 

Subsection (e) prohibits establishing or constructing roads within 

the National Scenic Areas, but provides that this prohibition shall 

not be construed to deny access to private land or interests in land 

within those National Scenic Areas. 

Subsection (f) prohibits the harvest of timber within the National 

Scenic Areas, except as necessary to control fire, provide for public 

safety or trail access, or control insect and disease outbreaks, and 

except for personal firewood use along perimeter roads, subject to 

any conditions the Secretary may impose. 

Subsection (g) states that insect and disease outbreaks within 

the National Scenic Areas may be controlled by the Secretary for 

the specified purposes. 

Subsection (h) states that the Secretary may engage in vegetation manipulation practices in the scenic areas to maintain the visual quality and wildlife clearings as they exist on the date of enactment. 

Subsection (i) prohibits motorized travel within the National Scenic Areas, except as authorized by the Secretary for necessary administrative use in furtherance of the purposes of this section, in 

support of wildlife management projects that exist on the date of 


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enactment, and on specified roads during deer and bear hunting 

seasons. 

Subsection (j) states that wildfire suppression within the National Scenic Areas shall be conducted in a manner consistent with 

the purposes of the National Scenic Areas and using such means 

as the Secretary determines are appropriate. 

Subsection (k) directs the Secretary to administer the National 

Scenic Areas to maintain and enhance water quality. 

Subsection (l) withdraws all Federal land within the National 

Scenic Areas from location, entry, and patent under the mining 

laws and from leasing under the mineral and geothermal leasing 

laws, subject to valid existing rights. 

Section 6(a) directs the Secretary to establish a trail plan for hiking and equestrian trails in the new wilderness areas and additions 

designated by section 3(a), as well as nonmotorized recreation trails 

within the two National Scenic Areas established by section 5(a). 

Subsection (b) directs the Secretary to submit a report to Congress on the implementation of the trail plan within 2 years after 

the date of enactment. 

Subsection (c) directs the Secretary to develop a specific trail for 

non-motorized travel. The Virginia Highlands Horse Trail is a popular trail in the area enjoyed by hikers, equestrians, and trail cyclists. A portion of the Trail within the proposed Raccoon Branch 

Wilderness is already closed to bicycles and would remain closed 

upon designation of the wilderness. The development of this sustainable trail is intended to provide users with a continuous route 

along the southern boundary of the proposed Raccoon Branch Wilderness connecting to forest development road 49352. 

Section 7 directs the Secretary to file with the relevant congressional committees a map and legal description of each scenic area 

designated by section 5, each wilderness area designated or expanded by section 3(a), the wilderness study area designated by 

section 3(b), and the potential wilderness area designated by section 4(a). 

Subsection (b) states that the maps and legal descriptions shall 

have the same force and effect as if included in the Act, except that 

the Secretary may correct clerical and typographical errors in the 

maps and legal descriptions. 

Subsection (c) states that the maps and legal descriptions shall 

be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the 

Chief of the Forest Service. 

Subsection (d) provides that if there is a conflict between one of 

the filed maps and the acreage estimates specified in the Act, then 

the map shall control. 

Section 8 clarifies that any reference in the Wilderness Act to the 

effective date of that Act shall be considered to be the date of enactment of this Act for purposes of administering the wilderness 

areas designated or expanded by section 3(a) and the potential wilderness area designated by section 4(a). 

COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS

The following estimate of costs of this measure has been provided 

by the Congressional Budget Office: 


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S. 570—Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2008 

S. 570 would designate 53,000 acres of federal lands within the 

Jefferson National Forest in Virginia as wilderness, wilderness 

study, potential wilderness, or scenic areas. Under the bill, the Forest Service would develop management plans for the proposed scenic areas within the next two years. Finally, the legislation would 

prohibit timber harvesting and new mineral leasing within the scenic areas. 

Based on information provided by the Forest Service, CBO estimates that implementing S. 570 would cost approximately $3 million over the 2009–2013 period, assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts. Of this amount, $2 million would be used by the 

agency for planning, marking the newly designated areas, developing trails, and preparing legal descriptions and maps. The remaining $1 million would be spent over the next five years to administer the new areas. 

Designating federal lands as wilderness could result in forgone 

offsetting receipts if, under current law, those lands would generate 

income from activities such as timber harvesting and mining. According to the Forest Service, the lands affected by S. 570 currently 

generate no significant receipts but do contain timber valued at $2 

million that may be harvested in the future. Such sales proceeds 

can be spent by the Forest Service without further appropriation. 

Thus, enacting this legislation could affect both offsetting receipts 

and direct spending, but CBO estimates that the net effect of any 

changes would be negligible over the next 10 years. Enacting the 

bill would not affect revenues. 

S. 570 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates 

as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. 

On July 30, 2007, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 

1011, the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007, as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on June 28, 

2007. The two versions of the legislation are similar, and their estimated implementation costs are the same. 

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Tyler Kruzich. This estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Assistant Director for 

Budget Analysis. 

REGULATORY IMPACT EVALUATION

In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following evaluation 

of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in carrying out 

S. 570. 

The bill is not a regulatory measure in the sense of imposing 

Government-established standards or significant economic responsibilities on private individuals and businesses. 

No personal information would be collected in administering the 

program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal privacy. 

Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the enactment of S. 570, as ordered reported. 


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CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING

S. 570, as reported, does not contain any congressionally directed 

spending items, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the Senate. 

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

The views of the Administration were included in testimony received by the Committee at a hearing on S. 570 and H.R. 1011 on 

April 15, 2008. 

STATEMENT OF JOEL HOLTROP, DEPUTY CHIEF, NATIONAL

FOREST SYSTEM, FOREST SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRI- CULTURE

* * * * * * * 

S. 570 would designate 27,817 acres in the Jefferson National Forest as new components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS). Specifically, the bill 

would designate the following areas: Brush Mountain East 

Wilderness, Brush Mountain Wilderness, Raccoon Branch 

Wilderness, Stone Mountain Wilderness, Hunting Camp 

Creek Wilderness, and Garden Mountain Wilderness. S. 

570 would also designate 11,344 acres as additions to existing wilderness areas namely, Mountain Lake Wilderness, Lewis Fork Wilderness, Little Wilson Creek Wilderness, Shawvers Run Wilderness, Peters Mountain Wilderness, and Kimberling Creek Wilderness. 

S. 570 would designate 3,226 acres in the Jefferson National Forest as the ‘‘Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study 

Area.’’ The bill also would designate 349 acres depicted on 

the map as the ‘‘Kimberling Creek Additions and Potential 

Wilderness Area’’ as a potential wilderness area for eventual incorporation in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness. 

The bill would set forth requirements regarding ecological 

restoration within this area and would provide for the designation of the area as a wilderness within five years. 

In addition, the bill would designate 11,583 acres of the 

Seng Mountain and Bear Creek areas as national scenic 

areas for purposes of ensuring the protection and preservation of scenic quality, water quality, natural characteristics, and water resources; protecting wildlife and fish habitat; protecting areas that may develop characteristics of 

old-growth forests; and providing a variety of recreation 

opportunities. 

Finally the bill would direct the Secretary of Agriculture 

to develop a management plan for the designated national 

scenic areas. The Secretary also would be required to develop a trail plan for hiking and equestrian trails on lands 

designated as wilderness by this Act and to develop a plan 

for non-motorized recreation trails within the Seng Mountain and Bear Creek National Scenic Areas. The bill also 

would direct the Secretary to develop a sustainable nonmotorized trail in Smyth County, Virginia. 

We recognize and commend the delegation and the Committee for its collaborative approach and local involvement 


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that has contributed to the development of this bill. The 

Department supports several of the designations included 

in the bill but we object to other designations and to mandatory planning and construction requirements. The Department would like to work with the Committee to offer 

suggestions which we think will improve S. 570. 

WILDERNESS PROPOSALS

During the development or revision of a forest land and 

resource management plan (LRMP), a national forest conducts an evaluation of potential wilderness or wilderness 

study areas that satisfies the definition of wilderness 

found in section 2(c) of the Wilderness Act of 1964. On National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Eastern United 

States (east of the 100th meridian) the criteria for evaluating potential wilderness recognizes that much, if not all 

of the land, shows signs of human activity and modification. The Record of Decision for the revised Jefferson National Forest LRMP, signed on January 15, 2004, was developed over an 11-year period with extensive public involvement. It contains recommendations for 25,200 acres 

of wilderness study areas, including new wilderness study 

areas and additions to existing areas designated as wilderness. 

The Department supports the provisions in S. 570 that 

would designate new components of the NWPS that are 

consistent with the Jefferson National Forest LRMP recommendations for wilderness study. These areas are the 

proposed Garden Mountain, Hunting Creek Camp, and 

Stone Mountain Wilderness areas. 

The Department supports the designation of additions to 

existing wilderness areas for the following areas: 

Kimberling Creek A and B Additions, Lewis Fork Addition, 

Little Wilson Creek Addition, Mountain Lake A and C Additions, Peters Mountain Addition, and Shawvers Run A 

Addition. 

The Department does not oppose the designation of the 

‘‘Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area,’’ the Mountain 

Lake B Addition, and Shawvers Run Additions B and C 

areas. However, we have concerns about the suitability of 

the Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area as a component of the NWPS due to its small size, configuration, and 

manageability (due to outstanding mineral rights). The Department is willing to work with the committee to look at 

other options for protection of this area. We also have concerns about the suitability of the Mountain Lake B Addition and the Shawvers Run Additions B and C as components of the NWPS due to their size and configuration. An 

additional concern with the Mountain Lake Addition B is 

that it contains a 59-acre private inholding which could require associated road access in the future if the parcel is 

developed. 

The Department does not support the designation as 

‘‘potential wilderness’’ for the 349-acre portion of the 

Kimberling Creek area. The designation ‘‘Potential WilderVerDate Aug 31 2005 16:15 Jun 17, 2008 Jkt 069010 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6969 E:\HR\OC\SR349.XXX SR349

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ness’’ is not a designation referenced in the Wilderness Act 

of 1964. A subsequent designation of wilderness following 

a fixed time period and associated compulsory changes in 

conditions can serve to limit the Secretary’s discretion in 

the allocation of scarce resources and other management 

actions associated with the administration of the NFS and 

the NWPS. We use the term, potential wilderness, in our 

wilderness evaluation process under our LRMP efforts to 

evaluate areas as potential additions to the NWPS. The 

Kimberling Creek addition was recently acquired as NFS 

land and in its current condition does not contain the basic 

natural characteristics that make it suitable for wilderness 

due to an extensive road network. We would recommend 

that the Committee consider allowing the Secretary to continue the current management prescription for this area 

which is Dispersed Recreation-Unsuitable. This management emphasis provides for a variety of dispersed recreation uses with minimal vegetation management and 

would allow use of motorized and mechanized equipment 

for needed road and trail rehabilitation work. We plan to 

develop rehabilitation plans and implement these plans 

within the next 5 to 10 years. While this area was not recommended as a potential wilderness area in the LRMP, future wilderness designation of this area could be reevaluated after restoration activities occur. 

The Department does not support wilderness designation for the Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East 

areas. These areas lie on the north side of Brush Mountain 

and are separated by a 345 kilovolt powerline corridor. 

They were not recommended for wilderness study in 

LRMP. They contain fire-dependent forest habitat which 

make up approximately 50 percent of these two areas. Additionally, the areas are largely surrounded by private 

lands. Wildland urban interface (subdivisions and housing 

developments) exists on the north and south boundaries. If 

designated as wilderness, our ability to utilize prescribed 

fire for the maintenance of southern yellow pine forest 

communities and to conduct hazardous fuels reduction 

projects would be hampered in these interface areas. Our 

ability to use prescribed fire is compromised when we cannot mechanically construct firelines to better control fire 

management activities. Additionally, the narrow width of 

these areas and the bisecting powerline corridor within 

these areas detract from their naturalness and offer few 

opportunities for solitude. We have also recently identified 

a need for a small boundary change in the proposed wilderness area along the northwest side of Brush Mountain 

East. An electric distribution line is located along Craig 

Creek and the current boundary includes some of the line 

within the proposed wilderness. If the Committee proceeds 

with wilderness designation, we would like to work with 

the Committee to adjust the boundary to exclude this existing line. 

The Department could support the designation of the 

Raccoon Branch area as a wilderness area if agreements 


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are reached in resolving trail maintenance issues in the 

area and if the requirement contained in section 5(d) of the 

bill for a sustainable trail is amended to provide more 

flexibility for any future alternative trail locations. Nearly 

six miles of the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail (VHHT) 

and the Dickey Knob Trail traverse this area. These trails 

are heavily used by both equestrians and mountain bikers. 

Currently only four of the six miles of the VHHT in the 

Raccoon Branch area are open to mountain bike use due 

to the steep nature of the trail where it enter the west end 

of Raccoon Branch. Wilderness designation would eliminate mountain bike use within the area. While equestrian 

use is compatible with wilderness designation, heavy use 

and ground conditions along the VHHT necessitate extensive maintenance to sustain the integrity of the trail and 

protect watershed and other resources values. To maintain 

the trail to the standards that are needed without mechanized or motorized equipment will require cooperative 

agreements and commitments from user groups to help in 

maintenance to protect the resources and to provide for 

continued equestrian use of the trail. We would like to 

work with the Committee to adjust the boundary as now 

proposed in the bill. The adjustment would exclude the 

section of VHHT from the western boundary to its intersection with Hickory Ridge Trail #4516 which we believe 

would alleviate much of the concern with maintaining the 

trail for equestrian use. 

NATIONAL SCENIC AREA PROPOSALS

Section 4 of S. 570 would establish Seng Mountain and 

Bear Creek National Scenic Areas (NSAs). In August 2007, 

the President signed Executive Order (E.O.) No. 13443, 

‘‘Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation.’’ This E.O. requires Federal land management agencies to ‘‘. . . Manage wildlife and wildlife habitats on public lands in a manner that expands and enhances hunting 

opportunities . . .’’ Forest Service direction on compliance 

with the E.O. is being developed. Portions of both the Seng 

Mountain and Bear Creek NSAs are managed under the 

LRMP to manage black bear habitat. We would like to 

work with the Committee on language that would allow a 

low level of habitat management for black bear that would 

be consistent with the E.O. and compatible with the purposes for which the scenic areas are being established. 

The proposed Seng Mountain NSA is within the congressionally designated Mount Rogers National Recreation 

Area (NRA). The Mount Rogers NRA is managed to provide public outdoor recreation benefits and the continued 

use by a diversity of recreation uses. The Seng Mountain 

area contains a motorized trail, the Barton Gap Trail 

#4624. Motorized use of the trail would be prohibited 

under S. 570. The Barton Gap Trail is one of only five designated motorcycle trails on the George Washington and 

Jefferson National Forests and is an important part of the 

diversity of recreation opportunities that we provide the 


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visitors that use the Forest and the Mount Rogers NRA. 

The Department would like to work with the Committee to 

resolve any confusion resulting from the overlapping designations for the Seng Mountain area. The Department 

recommends that the overlapping designation be clarified 

and continued motorized use on the Barton Gap Trail be 

allowed. 

TRAIL DEVELOPMENT PLANS

S. 570 would require the Secretary to establish a trail 

plan to develop hiking and equestrian trails on lands designated as wilderness by this bill. The designated lands 

would be administered in accordance with the Wilderness 

Act. The Forest Service already addresses trail management and planning standards within the LRMP planning 

process. The Department considers the requirement to develop additional trail plans to be unnecessary. 

S. 570 also would require the Secretary to develop a sustainable trail to provide a continuous connection for nonmotorized travel between State Route (SR) 650 and Forest 

Development Road 4018. This trail would be along SR 16. 

We believe that it would be costly and difficult to provide 

a trail in this general location that would be safe for both 

equestrians and mountain bikers. The existing gravel road 

(SR 650) is winding and narrow and contains several blind 

curves. It receives high local use and is the main access 

road for campers and recreational vehicles to enter Hurricane Campground. Further, a potential connector trail for 

horses and bikes from SR 650 along the route of the old 

Marion-Rye Valley rail bed would require crossing SR 16, 

a 55-mph State highway that receives heavy commercial 

use, in a location with poor sight distance. Trail construction along the stream would be unlikely to meet our Forest 

standards for riparian protection. The bill language that 

specifies the terminus of the connector route limits our 

ability to locate and construct a trail that will meet Forest 

Service standards for safety and in a manner that is environmentally appropriate. We would like to work with the 

Committee on language that would allow us to construct 

trail facilities with adequate consideration for alternatives, 

priorities, and costs. 

HOUSE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1011

The Department had the opportunity to provide testimony on this bill to the House Natural Resources Committee on two separate occasions, May and September of 

2007. H.R. 1011, as passed by the House, contains the following amendments to the bill as introduced. 

Section 2 was amended to adjust the acreage of the 

Brush Mountain East Wilderness from 3,769 acres to 3,743 

acres to provide for a setback of 100 feet along the 345 

kilovolt powerline corridor. The Department supports this 

acreage adjustment, but we remain concerned designating 

this area as wilderness for the reasons stated earlier in 

this testimony. 


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Section 4 was amended to adjust the acreage of the Seng 

Mountain National Scenic Area from 6,455 to 5,192 acres 

to provide for continued motorized use of the Barton Gap 

Trail and Black Bear habitat management. The Department supports this acreage adjustment but would like to 

work with the Committee to refine the boundaries of the 

designation further. 

Section 4 was amended to authorize motorized travel on 

Forest Development Road 6261 in the Bear Creek NSA 

during bear and deer hunting seasons. In testimony before 

the House Committee on Natural Resources in May 2007, 

the Department expressed concerns regarding the proposed Bear Creek NSA. Specifically, we were concerned 

about the limitation on our ability to improve black bear 

habitat and to provide opportunities for hunting as a result of this designation and mandated closure of the road. 

The Department indicated it could support the Bear Creek 

NSA designation if allowances were made for seasonal motorized use of the road during hunting season. The Department supports this amendment since it provides these allowances. 

Section 5 was amended to allow motorized access for 

emergency purposes involving the health and safety of persons, including search and rescue efforts and responses to 

an Amber Alert. The Department considers this addition to 

be unnecessary as these actions are currently allowed in 

wilderness under section 4(c) of the Wilderness Act of 1964 

and Forest Service policy, and recommends its deletion 

from the bill. Section 5 also was amended to provide more 

flexibility for the location of a non-motorized trail located 

along the southern boundary of the Raccoon Branch Wilderness. The Department supports this part of the amendment. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill S. 

570 as ordered reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is 

printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is 

shown in roman): 

A. Public Law 98–586 

AN ACT To designate certain national forest system lands in the State of Virginia 

as wilderness, and for other purposes 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 

United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may 

be cited the ‘‘Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984’’. 

* * * * * * * 

DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS

SEC. 6. (a) In furtherance of the purposes of the Wilderness Act, 

the Secretary of Agriculture shall review, as to their suitability for 


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preservation as wilderness, the following lands in the State of Virginia: 

(1) øcertain¿ Certain lands in the George Washington National Forest, which comprise approximately nine thousand 

three hundred acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled 

‘‘Rough Mountain Wilderness Study Area-Proposed’’, dated 

January 1984, and which shall be known as the Rough Mountain Wilderness. Study Areaø;¿. (2) øcertain¿ Certain lands in the George Washington National Forest, which comprise approximately five thousand six 

hundred acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled ‘‘Rich 

Hole Wilderness Study Area—Proposed’’, dated January 1984, 

and which shall be known as the Rich Hole Wilderness Study 

Areaø;¿. (3) øcertain¿ Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 

which comprise approximately five thousand eight hundred 

and seventy-five acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled 

‘‘Barbours Creek Wilderness Study Area—Proposed’’, dated 

February 1984, and which shall be known as the Barbours 

Creek Wilderness Study Areaø; and¿. (4) øcertain¿ Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 

which comprise approximately four thousand three hundred 

acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled ‘‘Shawvers Run 

Wilderness Study Area—Proposed’’, dated February 1984, and 

which shall be known as the Shawvers Run Wilderness Study 

Area. 

(5) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising 

approximately 3,226 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area’’ and dated 

April 28, 2008, which shall be known as the ‘‘Lynn Camp Creek 

Wilderness Study Area’’. 

* * * * * * * 

B. Public Law 100–326 

AN ACT To designate certain national forest system lands in the States of Virginia 

and West Virginia as wilderness areas 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 

United States of America in Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS. 

In furtherance of the purposes of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 

1131–1136), the following lands in the States of Virginia and West 

Virginia are hereby designated as wilderness and, therefore, as 

components of the National Wilderness Preservation øSystem—¿ 

System: 

(1) øcertain¿ Certain lands in the George Washington National Forest, which comprise approximately 9,300 acres, as 

generally depicted on a map entitled ‘‘Rough Mountain Wilderness Area—Proposed’’, dated June 1987, and which shall be 

known as the Rough Mountain Wilderness Areaø;¿. 

(2) øcertain¿ Certain lands in the George Washington National Forest, which comprise approximately 6,450 acres, as 

generally depicted on a map entitled ‘‘Rich Hole Wilderness 

Area—Proposed’’, dated June 1987, and which shall be known 

as the Rich Hole Wilderness Areaø;¿. 


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(3) øcertain¿ Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 

and George Washington National Forest which comprise approximately 5,700 acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled ‘‘Barbours Creek Wilderness Area—Proposed’’, dated June 

1987, and which shall be known as the Barbours Creek Wilderness Areaø;¿. 

(4) øcertain¿ Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest 

and George Washington National Forest, which comprise approximately 3,665 acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled ‘‘Shawvers Run Wilderness Area—Proposed’’, dated October 1987, and which shall be known as the Shawvers Run WIlderness Areaø;¿. 

(5) øcertain¿ Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 

which comprise approximately 72 acres, as generally depicted 

on a map entitled ‘‘Lewis Fork Wilderness Area Addition—Proposed’’, dated June 1987, and which shall be known as the 

Lewis Fork Wilderness Areaø;¿. 

(6) øcertain¿ Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 

which comprise approximately 2,500 acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled ‘‘Mountain Lake Wilderness Area Addition—Proposed’’, dated June 1987, and which shall be known 

as the Mountain Lake Wilderness Areaø;¿. 

(7) øcertain¿ Certain lands in the George Washington National Forest, which comprise approximately 5,963 acres, as 

generally depicted on a map entitled ‘‘The Priest Wilderness 

Study Area’’, dated June 6, 2000, and which shall be known as 

the Priest Wilderness Areaø; and¿. 

(8) øcertain¿ Certain lands in the George Washington National Forest, which comprise approximately 4,608 acres, as 

generally depicted on a map entitled ‘‘The Three Ridges Wilderness Study Area’’, dated June 6, 2000, and which shall be 

known as the Three Ridges Wilderness Area. 

(9) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising 

approximately 3,743 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East’’ and dated 

May 5, 2008, which shall be known as the ‘‘Brush Mountain 

East Wilderness’’. 

(10) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising 

approximately 4,794 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East’’ and dated 

May 5, 2008, which shall be known as the ‘‘Brush Mountain 

Wilderness’’. 

(11) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising 

approximately 4,223 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch’’ and dated April 

28, 2008, which shall be known as the ‘‘Raccoon Branch Wilderness’’. 

(12) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising 

approximately 3,270 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Stone Mountain’’ and dated April 28, 2008, which shall 

be known as the ‘‘Stone Mountain Wilderness’’. 

(13) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising 

approximately 8,470 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Garden Mountain and Hunting Camp Creek’’ and dated 


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April 28, 2008, which shall be known as the ‘‘Hunting Camp 

Creek Wilderness ’’. (14) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising 

approximately 3,291 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Garden Mountain and Hunting Camp Creek’’ and dated 

April 28, 2008, which shall be known as the ‘‘Garden Mountain 

Wilderness ’’. (15) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising 

approximately 5,476 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Mountain Lake Additions’’ and dated April 28, 2008, 

which is incorporated in the Mountain Lake Wilderness designated by section 2(6) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 

(16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–586). 

(16) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising 

approximately 308 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek Additions’’ and dated April 28, 2008, which is incorporated in the Lewis 

Fork Wilderness designated by section 2(3) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–586). 

(17) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising 

approximately 1,845 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek Additions’’ and dated April 28, 2008, which is incorporated in the Little 

Wilson Creek Wilderness designated by section 2(5) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 

98–586). 

(18) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising 

approximately 2,219 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Shawvers Run Additions’’ and dated April 28, 2008, 

which is incorporated in the Shawvers Run Wilderness designated by paragraph (4). 

(19) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising 

approximately 1,203 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Peters Mountain Addition’’ and dated April 28, 2008, 

which is incorporated in the Peters Mountain Wilderness designated by section 2(7) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 

(16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–586). 

(20) Certain land in the Jefferson National Forest comprising 

approximately 263 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Kimberling Creek Additions and Potential Wilderness 

Area’’ and dated April 28, 2008, which is incorporated in the 

Kimberling Creek Wilderness designated by section 2(2) of the 

Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public 

Law 98–586). 

Æ 


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