Virginia Wilderness Additions Act of 2017

To designate additions to the Rich Hole Wilderness and the Rough Mountain Wilderness of the George Washington National Forest, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Virginia Wilderness Additions Act of 2017 2. Additions to Rough Mountain and Rich Hole Wildernesses Section 1 of Public Law 100–326 16 U.S.C. 1132 (21) Rough Mountain Addition Certain land in the George Washington National Forest comprising approximately 1,000 acres, as generally depicted as the Rough Mountain Addition GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST – South half – Alternative I – Selected Alternative Management Prescriptions – Land and Resources Management Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement (22) Rich Hole Addition (A) Designation Certain land in the George Washington National Forest comprising approximately 4,600 acres, as generally depicted as the Rich Hole Addition GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST – South half – Alternative I – Selected Alternative Management Prescriptions – Land and Resources Management Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement (i) the date on which the Secretary of Agriculture publishes in the Federal Register notice that the activities permitted under subparagraph (C) have been completed; or (ii) the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of the Rich Hole and Rough Mountain Wilderness Additions Act. (B) Management Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall manage the wilderness area designated under subparagraph (A) in accordance with the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 (C) Water quality improvement activities (i) In general To enhance natural ecosystems within the Rich Hole Addition by implementing certain activities to improve water quality and aquatic passage, as set forth in the Forest Service document entitled Decision Notice for the Lower Cowpasture Restoration and Management Project (ii) Requirement In carrying out clause (i), the Secretary of Agriculture, to the maximum extent practicable, shall use the minimum tool or administrative practice necessary to carry out that clause with the least amount of adverse impact on wilderness character and resources. .

Summary: Virginia Wilderness Additions Act of 2017 This bill adds specified additional lands in the George Washington National Forest (a part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky) to the Rough Mountain Wilderness and the Rich Hole Wilderness. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) may use motorized equipment and mechanized transport in the Rich Hole addition until it is incorporated into the Rich Hole Wilderness in order to enhance natural ecosystems by implementing certain activities to improve water quality and aquatic passage, as set forth in the Forest Service document titled &quot;Decision Notice for the Lower Cowpasture Restoration and Management Project&quot; and dated December 2015. In carrying out such water quality and aquatic passage improvement activities, USDA must use the minimum tool or administrative practice necessary when using such equipment and transport with the least amount of adverse impact on wilderness character and resources.