The passage of this bill represents a great bipartisan effort here in Virginia. Scenic beauty is Nelson County's top attraction and these two areas serve as the backdrop for much of the county. Protection of these two mountains will help sustain our growing tourism economy. The Priest and Three Ridges are prominent features of the Blue Ridge landscape in western Nelson County. The Appalachian Trail runs through these two areas for nearly 13 miles and the Blue Ridge Parkway runs close to the western boundary of the Three Ridges area.
Several rock outcrops along trails provide stunning views of the surrounding area.
It is one of Virginia's most prominent peaks. The popular Crabtree Falls Recreation Area, with one of the highest waterfalls in the East, adjoins the newly designated wilderness area. Only Congress can designate federal lands as wilderness, which guarantees the areas will remain undisturbed from the threats of logging, road building, power lines, or other disruptive development activities. Yet, the George Washington is the closest national forest to Richmond, Washington, and Baltimore. The demand for backcountry wilderness areas in the East far exceeds the supply.