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[House Report 110-315]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

110th Congress                                            Rept. 110-315
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                     Part I
======================================================================
 
                 VIRGINIA RIDGE AND VALLEY ACT OF 2007

                                _______
                                

               September 4, 2007.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

  Mr. Rahall, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1011]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

  The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred the 
bill (H.R. 1011) 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, report favorably thereon with an 
amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
  The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

  (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Virginia Ridge and 
Valley Act of 2007''.
  (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Designation of additional National Forest System lands in 
Jefferson National Forest, Virginia, as wilderness or a wilderness 
study area.
Sec. 3. Designation of Kimberling Creek Potential Wilderness Area, 
Jefferson National Forest, Virginia.
Sec. 4. Designation of Seng Mountain and Bear Creek Scenic Areas, 
Jefferson National Forest, Virginia.
Sec. 5. Trail plan and development.

SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF ADDITIONAL NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LANDS IN 
                    JEFFERSON NATIONAL FOREST, VIRGINIA, AS WILDERNESS 
                    OR A WILDERNESS STUDY AREA.

  (a) Designation of Wilderness.--Section 1 of Public Law 100-326 (102 
Stat. 584; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note), as amended by Public Law 106-471 (114 
Stat. 2057), is further amended--
          (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``System--'' and inserting ``System:'';
          (2) by striking ``certain'' at the beginning of paragraphs 
        (1) through (8) and inserting ``Certain'';
          (3) by striking the semicolon at the end of paragraphs (1) 
        through (6) and inserting a period;
          (4) by striking ``; and'' at the end of paragraph (7) and 
        inserting a period; and
          (5) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
          ``(9) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 3,769 acres, as generally depicted on 
        the map entitled `Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East' and 
        dated February 2007, and which shall be known as the Brush 
        Mountain East Wilderness.
          ``(10) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 4,794 acres, as generally depicted on 
        the map entitled `Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East' and 
        dated February 2007, and which shall be known as the Brush 
        Mountain Wilderness.
          ``(11) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 4,223 acres, as generally depicted on 
        the map entitled `Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch' and dated 
        February 2007, and which shall be known as the Raccoon Branch 
        Wilderness.
          ``(12) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 3,270 acres, as generally depicted on 
        the map entitled `Stone Mountain' and dated February 2007, and 
        which shall be known as the Stone Mountain Wilderness.
          ``(13) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 8,470 acres, as generally depicted on 
        the map entitled `Hunting Camp Creek and Garden Mountain' and 
        dated February 2007, and which shall be known as the Hunting 
        Camp Creek Wilderness.
          ``(14) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 3,291 acres, as generally depicted on 
        the map entitled `Hunting Camp Creek and Garden Mountain' and 
        dated February 2007, and which shall be known as the Garden 
        Mountain Wilderness.
          ``(15) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 5,476 acres, as generally depicted on 
        the map entitled `Mountain Lake Additions' and dated February 
        2007, and which are hereby incorporated in the Mountain Lake 
        Wilderness designated by section 2(6) of the Virginia 
        Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-586; 98 Stat. 3105).
          ``(16) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 308 acres, as generally depicted on the 
        map entitled `Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek 
        Additions' and dated February 2007, and which are hereby 
        incorporated in the Lewis Fork Wilderness designated by section 
        2(3) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-586; 
        98 Stat. 3105).
          ``(17) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 1,845 acres, as generally depicted on 
        the map entitled `Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek 
        Additions' and dated February 2007, and which are hereby 
        incorporated in the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness designated 
        by section 2(5) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public 
        Law 98-586; 98 Stat. 3105).
          ``(18) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 2,249 acres, as generally depicted on 
        the map entitled `Shawvers Run Additions' and dated February 
        2007, and which are hereby incorporated in the Shawvers Run 
        Wilderness designated by paragraph (4).
          ``(19) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 1,203 acres, as generally depicted on 
        the map entitled `Peters Mountain Addition' and dated February 
        2007, and which are hereby incorporated in the Peters Mountain 
        Wilderness designated by section 2(7) of the Virginia 
        Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-586; 98 Stat. 3105).
          ``(20) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 263 acres, as generally depicted on the 
        map entitled `Kimberling Creek Additions and Potential 
        Wilderness Area' and dated February 2007, and which are hereby 
        incorporated in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness designated by 
        section 2(2) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 
        98-586; 98 Stat. 3105).''.
  (b) Designation of Wilderness Study Area.--Section 6(a) of the 
Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-586; 98 Stat. 3108) is 
amended--
          (1) by striking ``certain'' at the beginning of paragraphs 
        (1) through (4) and inserting ``Certain'';
          (2) by striking the semicolon at the end of paragraphs (1) 
        and (2) and inserting a period;
          (3) by striking ``; and'' at the end of paragraph (3) and 
        inserting a period; and
          (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
          ``(5) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 3,226 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled `Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area' and dated 
        February 2007, and which shall be known as the Lynn Camp Creek 
        Wilderness Study Area.''.
  (c) Maps and Legal Descriptions.--
          (1) Filing.--As soon as practicable after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall file 
        with the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
        the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources and the 
        Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives a map 
        and legal description of each wilderness area designated or 
        expanded by the amendments made by subsection (a) and of the 
        Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area designated by the 
        amendment made by subsection (b).
          (2) Force and effect.--The maps and legal descriptions 
        referred to in paragraph (1) shall have the same force and 
        effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary of 
        Agriculture may correct clerical and typographical errors in 
        the maps and descriptions. In the case of any discrepancy 
        between the acreage specified in the amendments made by 
        subsection (a) or (b) and the corresponding map filed under 
        paragraph (1), the map shall control.
          (3) Availability.--The maps and legal descriptions referred 
        to in paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public 
        inspection in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service.
  (d) Administration.--
          (1) New wilderness areas.--Subject to valid existing rights, 
        the Secretary of Agriculture shall administer the lands in the 
        Jefferson National Forest designated as a new wilderness area 
        by the amendments made by subsection (a) in accordance with 
        this section and the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), 
        except that, with respect to such lands, any reference in the 
        Wilderness Act to the effective date of that Act shall be 
        deemed to be a reference to the date of the enactment of this 
        Act.
          (2) Expanded wilderness areas.--Subject to valid existing 
        rights, the Secretary of Agriculture shall administer the lands 
        in the Jefferson National Forest designated as wilderness and 
        incorporated into an existing wilderness area by the amendments 
        made by subsection (a) in accordance with this section, the 
        Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), and other laws 
        applicable to that wilderness area, except that, with respect 
        to such lands, any reference in the Wilderness Act to the 
        effective date of that Act shall be deemed to be a reference to 
        the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. 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 lands in the Jefferson National 
Forest, which comprise approximately 349 acres, as generally depicted 
on the map entitled ``Kimberling Creek Additions and Potential 
Wilderness Area'' and dated February 2007, are designated as a 
potential wilderness area for eventual incorporation in the Kimberling 
Creek Wilderness designated by section 2(2) of the Virginia Wilderness 
Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-586; 98 Stat. 3105).
  (b) Map and Legal Descriptions.--
          (1) Filing.--As soon as practicable after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall file 
        with the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
        the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources and the 
        Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives a map 
        and legal description of potential wilderness area.
          (2) Force and effect.--The map and legal description referred 
        to in paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if 
        included in this Act, except that the Secretary of Agriculture 
        may correct clerical and typographical errors in the map and 
        description. In the case of any discrepancy between the acreage 
        specified in subsection (a) and the map filed under paragraph 
        (1), the map shall control.
          (3) Availability.--The map and legal description referred to 
        in paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public 
        inspection in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service.
  (c) Management.--Except as provided in subsection (d) and subject to 
valid existing rights, the Secretary of Agriculture shall manage the 
potential wilderness area as wilderness pending its incorporation in 
the Kimberling Creek Wilderness.
  (d) Ecological Restoration.--
          (1) In general.--For purposes of ecological restoration 
        (including the elimination of non-native species, removal of 
        illegal, unused, or decommissioned roads, and any other 
        activities necessary to restore the natural ecosystems in the 
        potential wilderness area), the Secretary of Agriculture may 
        use motorized equipment and mechanized transport in the 
        potential wilderness area until its incorporation in 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.
  (e) Wilderness 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 of Agriculture 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 five years after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act.
  (f) Administration.--Subject to valid existing rights, upon 
incorporation of the lands designated as wilderness under subsection 
(e) in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness, the Secretary of Agriculture 
shall administer the lands in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 
U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) and other laws applicable to that wilderness area, 
except that, with respect to such lands, any reference in the 
Wilderness Act to the effective date of that Act shall be deemed to be 
a reference to the date on which the lands are designated as wilderness 
under subsection (e).

SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF SENG MOUNTAIN AND BEAR CREEK SCENIC AREAS, 
                    JEFFERSON NATIONAL FOREST, VIRGINIA.

  (a) Establishment.--The following National Forest System lands in the 
State of Virginia are hereby designated as National Scenic Areas (in 
this section referred to as the ``scenic areas''):
          (1) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 6,455 acres, as generally depicted on 
        the map entitled ``Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch'' and dated 
        February 2007, and which shall be known as the Seng Mountain 
        National Scenic Area.
          (2) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 5,128 acres, as generally depicted on 
        the map entitled ``Bear Creek'' and dated February 2007, and 
        which shall be known as the Bear Creek National Scenic Area.
  (b) Maps and Legal Descriptions.--
          (1) Filing.--As soon as practicable after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall file 
        with the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
        the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources and the 
        Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives a map 
        and legal description of each of the scenic areas.
          (2) Force and effect.--The maps and legal descriptions 
        referred to in paragraph (1) shall have the same force and 
        effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary of 
        Agriculture may correct clerical and typographical errors in 
        the maps and descriptions. In the case of any discrepancy 
        between the acreage specified in subsection (a) and the 
        corresponding map filed under paragraph (1), the map shall 
        control.
          (3) Availability.--The maps and legal descriptions referred 
        to in paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public 
        inspection in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service.
  (c) Purposes of Scenic Areas.--The scenic areas are established for 
the purposes of--
          (1) ensuring the protection and preservation of scenic 
        quality, water quality, natural characteristics, and water 
        resources;
          (2) protecting wildlife and fish habitat, consistent with 
        paragraph (1);
          (3) protecting areas that may develop characteristics of old-
        growth forests; and
          (4) providing a variety of recreation opportunities, 
        consistent with the preceding paragraphs.
  (d) Administration.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
        administer the scenic areas in accordance with this section and 
        the laws and regulations generally applicable to the National 
        Forest System. In the event of conflict between this section 
        and other laws and regulations, this section shall take 
        precedence.
          (2) Consistent use.--The Secretary shall only allow such uses 
        of the scenic areas as the Secretary finds will further the 
        purposes for which the scenic areas are established.
  (e) Management Plan.--Within two years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall develop a 
management plan for the scenic areas consistent with this section. The 
management plan shall be developed as an amendment to the land and 
resource management plan for the Jefferson National Forest, except that 
nothing in this section requires the Secretary to revise the land and 
resource management plan for the Jefferson National Forest pursuant to 
section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act 
of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604).
  (f) Roads.--After the date of the enactment of this Act, no roads 
shall be established or constructed within the scenic areas, except 
that this prohibition shall not be construed to deny access to private 
lands or interests therein in the scenic areas.
  (g) Vegetation Management.--No timber harvest shall be allowed within 
the scenic areas, except as the Secretary of Agriculture finds 
necessary in the control of fire, insects, and diseases and to provide 
for public safety and trail access. Notwithstanding the preceding 
sentence, the Secretary may engage in vegetation manipulation practices 
for maintenance of existing wildlife clearings and visual quality. 
Firewood may be harvested for personal use along perimeter roads under 
such conditions as the Secretary may impose.
  (h) Motorized Travel.--Motorized travel shall not be permitted within 
the scenic areas, except that the Secretary of Agriculture may 
authorize motorized travel within the scenic areas--
          (1) as necessary for administrative use in furtherance of the 
        purposes of this section;
          (2) in support of wildlife management projects in existence 
        as of the date of the enactment of this Act; and
          (3) on Forest Development Roads 9410 and 84b during deer and 
        bear hunting seasons and on that portion of Forest Development 
        Road 6261 designated on the map referred to in subsection 
        (a)(2) as ``open seasonally'' during deer and bear hunting 
        seasons.
  (i) Fire.--Wildfires in the scenic area shall be suppressed in a 
manner consistent with the purposes of this section, using such means 
as the Secretary of Agriculture considers appropriate.
  (j) Insects and Disease.--Insect and disease outbreaks may be 
controlled in the scenic areas to maintain scenic quality, prevent tree 
mortality, reduce hazards to visitors, or protect private lands.
  (k) Water.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall administer the scenic 
areas so as to maintain and enhance water quality.
  (l) Mining Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, all 
federally owned lands in the scenic areas are withdrawn from location, 
entry, and patent under the mining laws of the United States and from 
leasing claims under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws of the 
United States, including amendments to such laws.

SEC. 5. TRAIL PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT.

  (a) Trail Plan.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a trail 
plan for National Forest System lands described in this subsection in 
order to develop the following:
          (1) Hiking and equestrian trails on the lands in the 
        Jefferson National Forest designated as wilderness by the 
        amendments made by section 2(a), in a manner consistent with 
        the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.).
          (2) Nonmotorized recreation trails within the Seng Mountain 
        and Bear Creek Scenic Areas designated by section 4.
  (b) Consultation.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish the 
trail plan in consultation with interested parties.
  (c) Implementation Report.--Not later than two years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit 
to Congress a report on the implementation of the trail plan, including 
the identification of priority trails for development.
  (d) Trail Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall develop a 
sustainable trail, using a contour curvilinear alignment, to provide a 
continuous connection for non-motorized travel between County Route 650 
and Forest Development Road 4018 in Smyth County, Virginia.

                          Purpose of the Bill

    The purpose of H.R. 1011 is to designate 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.

                  Background and Need for Legislation

    H.R. 1011 designates nearly 43,000 acres of the Jefferson 
National Forest in southwestern Virginia as wilderness and 
nearly 12,000 acres as National Scenic Areas. The bill 
designates six new wilderness areas, makes six additions to 
existing wilderness areas, adds a new wilderness study area, 
creates two new National Scenic Areas, and directs the Forest 
Service to develop trail plans.
    The legislation would designate as wilderness a number of 
significant natural and scenic areas within the Commonwealth of 
Virginia. The Stone Mountain proposed wilderness area provides 
outstanding views of Powell Mountain across the Powell River, 
which is famous for its rich populations of freshwater mussels. 
The Seng Mountain proposed national scenic area is served by a 
network of recreational trails. The major scenic attraction is 
Rowland Creek Falls, a 45-foot cascading waterfall. Much of the 
terrain provides excellent opportunities for recreation. The 
Brush Mountain East proposed wilderness area contains beautiful 
stands of large sugar maples, white pines, white oaks and 
hemlocks, and about 15 percent of the forest consists of old 
growth. The Lynn Camp Creek proposed wilderness area provides a 
microcosm of the Ridge and Valley Province of Virginia. Three 
parallel ridges enclose the major stream valleys of Lick Creek 
and Lynn Camp Creek, both of which are excellent brook trout 
waters. Lick Creek harbors one of the only three Virginia 
populations of the Tennessee Dace, a state endangered species, 
also listed as sensitive by the Forest Service. The Raccoon 
Branch proposed wilderness area contains eight major trails 
which provide access to the area for hunters, fishermen, hikers 
and horseback riders. The Appalachian Trail also traverses the 
area.
    Each of the areas contained in H.R. 1011 were either 
recommended as part of the Jefferson National Forest Plan or 
have been endorsed by the relevant local County Board of 
Supervisors. H.R. 1011 has broad bipartisan support from five 
other Representatives from Virginia, both Virginia Senators, 
Governor Tim Kaine, four County Boards of Supervisors, local 
businesses, state organizations, faith groups, the 
International Mountain Bicycling Association, and local bear 
hunters.

                            Committee Action

    H.R. 1011 was introduced on February 13, 2007, by 
Representative Rick Boucher (D-VA). The bill was referred to 
the Committee on Natural Resources, and within the Committee to 
the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands. 
On May 10, 2007, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the 
legislation. On June 28, 2007, the Subcommittee was discharged 
from further consideration of the bill and the full Natural 
Resources Committee met to consider the measure.
    National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee 
Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) offered an amendment to keep the 
seasonally-opened segment of forest development road 6261 in 
the proposed Bear Creek National Scenic Area open during bear 
and deer hunting seasons. The amendment was adopted by voice 
vote.
    Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT) offered an en bloc 
amendment to strike out the Brush Mountain Wilderness, Brush 
Mountain East Wilderness, Raccoon Branch Wilderness, Mountain 
Lake Addition B, Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area, 
Kimberling Creek Potential Wilderness Area, and would have 
deleted portions of the Shawvers Run Additions. The amendment 
was not adopted by voice vote.
    Representative Bill Sali (R-ID) offered an amendment to 
change the management priorities of the National Scenic Areas 
in H.R. 1011. The amendment was not adopted by voice vote.
    Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) offered an amendment 
to strike the Brush Mountain Wilderness and Brush Mountain East 
Wilderness. The amendment was not adopted by voice vote.
    Representative Bill Sali (R-ID) also offered an amendment 
to add a new section to H.R. 1011 to change the management 
procedures that are enumerated in the Wilderness Act. The 
amendment was not adopted by voice vote.
    H.R. 1011, as amended, was then favorably reported to the 
House of Representatives by voice vote.

                      Section-By-Section Analysis

Section 1. Short title and table of contents

    Section 1 entitles the bill the ``Virginia Ridge and Valley 
Act of 2007'' and lists the table of contents.

Section 2. Designation of additional National forest system lands in 
        Jefferson National Forest, Virginia, as wilderness or a 
        wilderness study area

    Section 2(a) designates the following new wilderness areas:
     Brush Mountain East Wilderness--3,769 acres in 
Craig County, VA
     Brush Mountain Wilderness--4,794 acres in 
Montgomery County, VA
     Raccoon Branch Wilderness--4,223 acres in Smyth 
County, VA
     Stone Mountain Wilderness--3,270 acres in Lee 
County, VA
     Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness--8,470 acres in 
Bland County, VA
     Garden Mountain Wilderness--3,291 acres in Bland 
County, VA
    Section 2(a) also designates the following additions to 
existing wilderness areas:
     Mountain Lake Wilderness Additions--5,476 acres in 
Giles and Craig Counties, VA and WVA
     Lewis Fork Wilderness Addition--308 acres in Smyth 
and Grayson Counties, VA
     Little Wilson Wilderness Creek Additions--1,845 
acres in Grayson County, VA
     Shawvers Run Wilderness Additions--2,249 acres in 
Craig County, VA
     Peters Mountain Wilderness Addition--1,203 acres 
in Giles County, VA
     Kimberling Creek Wilderness Additions--263 acres 
in Bland County, VA
    Section 2(b) designates the Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness 
Study Area (WSA), comprising 3,226 acres in Bland County, VA. 
The area is designated as a WSA to allow the Forest Service to 
study the area for possible future wilderness designation by 
Congress.

Section 3. Designation of Kimberling Creek Potential Wilderness Area, 
        Jefferson National Forest, Virginia

    Section 3 designates the Kimberling Creek Potential 
Wilderness Area, comprising 349 acres in Bland County, VA. This 
area is designated as a potential wilderness area for eventual 
incorporation into the Kimberling Creek Wilderness Addition. 
The Forest Service has indicated this area needs ecological 
restoration work. Therefore, the bill provides for designation 
of the area as potential wilderness, and upon completion of the 
restoration work or five years from the date of enactment, the 
area would be automatically designated as wilderness.

Section 4. Designation of Seng Mountain and Bear Creek Scenic Areas, 
        Jefferson National Forest, Virginia

    Section 4 designates 2 new National Scenic Areas. The first 
is the Seng Mountain National Scenic Area, comprising 6,455 
acres in Smyth County, VA. The second is the Bear Creek 
National Scenic Area, comprising 5,128 acres in Smyth County, 
VA. The language for the Bear Creek National Scenic Area 
permits the maintenance of existing wildlife clearings for 
managing bear habitat, and permits motorized travel on three 
forest development roads during deer and bear hunting seasons.

Section 5. Trail plan and development

    Section 5 requires the Forest Service to establish a trail 
plan for hiking and equestrian trails in the new wilderness 
areas and wilderness area additions, and non-motorized 
recreation trails within the two new National Scenic Areas.

            Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations

    Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee on Natural Resources' oversight findings and 
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.

                   Constitutional Authority Statement

    Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United 
States grants Congress the authority to enact this bill.

                    Compliance With House Rule XIII

    1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the 
Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and 
a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be 
incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B) 
of that Rule provides that this requirement does not apply when 
the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted 
cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the 
Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
    2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2) 
of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 
section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this 
bill does not contain any new budget authority, spending 
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in 
revenues or tax expenditures.
    3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. This bill does 
not authorize funding and therefore, clause 3(c)(4) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives does not 
apply.
    4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. Under clause 
3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives and section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act 
of 1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate 
for this bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office:

H.R. 1011--Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007

    H.R. 1011 would designate several wilderness, wilderness 
study, potential wilderness, and scenic areas on approximately 
50,000 acres of federal landswithin the Jefferson National 
Forest in Virginia. 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 H.R. 1011 would cost approximately 
$3 million over the 2008-2012 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 H.R. 1011 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, CBO estimates that 
enacting this legislation could affect both offsetting receipts 
and direct spending, but we estimate that the net effect of any 
changes would be negligible over the next 10 years. Enacting 
the bill would not affect revenues.
    H.R. 1011 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.
    The CBO staff contacts for this estimate are Deborah Reis 
and David Reynolds, who can be reached at 226-2860. This 
estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                    Compliance With Public Law 104-4

    This bill contains no unfunded mandates.

                           Earmark Statement

    H.R. 1011 does not contain any congressional earmarks, 
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 
clause 9(d), 9(e) or 9(t) of rule XXI.

                Preemption of State, Local or Tribal Law

    This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or 
tribal law.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as 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):

                  SECTION 1 OF THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1988

                          (Public Law 100-326)

  An Act 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.

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 [System--] System:
          (1) [certain] 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 Area[;].
          (2) [certain] 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 
        Area[;].
          (3) [certain] 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 Area[;].
          (4) [certain] 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 Area[;].
          (5) [certain] 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 
        Area[;].
          (6) [certain] 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 Area[;].
          (7) [certain] 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 Area[; 
        and].
          (8) [certain] 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 lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 
        which comprise approximately 3,769 acres, as generally 
        depicted on the map entitled ``Brush Mountain and Brush 
        Mountain East'' and dated February 2007, and which 
        shall be known as the Brush Mountain East Wilderness.
          (10) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 
        which comprise approximately 4,794 acres, as generally 
        depicted on the map entitled ``Brush Mountain and Brush 
        Mountain East'' and dated February 2007, and which 
        shall be known as the Brush Mountain Wilderness.
          (11) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 
        which comprise approximately 4,223 acres, as generally 
        depicted on the map entitled ``Seng Mountain and 
        Raccoon Branch'' and dated February 2007, and which 
        shall be known as the Raccoon Branch Wilderness.
          (12) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 
        which comprise approximately 3,270 acres, as generally 
        depicted on the map entitled ``Stone Mountain'' and 
        dated February 2007, and which shall be known as the 
        Stone Mountain Wilderness.
          (13) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 
        which comprise approximately 8,470 acres, as generally 
        depicted on the map entitled ``Hunting Camp Creek and 
        Garden Mountain'' and dated February 2007, and which 
        shall be known as the Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness.
          (14) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 
        which comprise approximately 3,291 acres, as generally 
        depicted on the map entitled ``Hunting Camp Creek and 
        Garden Mountain'' and dated February 2007, and which 
        shall be known as the Garden Mountain Wilderness.
          (15) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 
        which comprise approximately 5,476 acres, as generally 
        depicted on the map entitled ``Mountain Lake 
        Additions'' and dated February 2007, and which are 
        hereby incorporated in the Mountain Lake Wilderness 
        designated by section 2(6) of the Virginia Wilderness 
        Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-586; 98 Stat. 3105).
          (16) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 
        which comprise approximately 308 acres, as generally 
        depicted on the map entitled ``Lewis Fork Addition and 
        Little Wilson Creek Additions'' and dated February 
        2007, and which are hereby incorporated in the Lewis 
        Fork Wilderness designated by section 2(3) of the 
        Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-586; 98 
        Stat. 3105).
          (17) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 
        which comprise approximately 1,845 acres, as generally 
        depicted on the map entitled ``Lewis Fork Addition and 
        Little Wilson Creek Additions'' and dated February 
        2007, and which are hereby incorporated in the Little 
        Wilson Creek Wilderness designated by section 2(5) of 
        the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-586; 
        98 Stat. 3105).
          (18) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 
        which comprise approximately 2,249 acres, as generally 
        depicted on the map entitled ``Shawvers Run Additions'' 
        and dated February 2007, and which are hereby 
        incorporated in the Shawvers Run Wilderness designated 
        by paragraph (4).
          (19) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 
        which comprise approximately 1,203 acres, as generally 
        depicted on the map entitled ``Peters Mountain 
        Addition'' and dated February 2007, and which are 
        hereby incorporated in the Peters Mountain Wilderness 
        designated by section 2(7) of the Virginia Wilderness 
        Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-586; 98 Stat. 3105).
          (20) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 
        which comprise approximately 263 acres, as generally 
        depicted on the map entitled ``Kimberling Creek 
        Additions and Potential Wilderness Area'' and dated 
        February 2007, and which are hereby incorporated in the 
        Kimberling Creek Wilderness designated by section 2(2) 
        of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-
        586; 98 Stat. 3105).
                              ----------                              

            SECTION 6 OF 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 preservation as wilderness, the following lands 
in the State of Virginia:
          (1) [certain] Certain lands in the George Washington 
        National Forest, which comprise approximately nine 
        thousand three hundred acres, 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 Area[;].
          (2) [certain] 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 Area[;].
          (3) [certain] Certain lands in the Jefferson National 
        Forest, which compromise 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 
        Area[; and].
          (4) [certain] Certain lands in the Jefferson National 
        Forest, which compromise 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 lands in the Jefferson National Forest, 
        which comprise approximately 3,226 acres, as generally 
        depicted on a map entitled ``Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness 
        Study Area'' and dated February 2007, and which shall 
        be known as the Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area.

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