Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-1011
Sponsor: Rep. Boucher, Rick [D-VA-9]
Introduced: 2007-02-13 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Animals
Congressional reporting requirements
Environmental Protection
Government Operations and Politics
Habitat conservation
Land use
Landscape protection
Maps
Motor vehicles
National forests
National scenic areas
Nature conservation
Old growth forests
Outdoor recreation
Planning
Restoration ecology
Sports and Recreation
Trails
Transportation and Public Works
Virginia
Water pollution control
Water quality
Wilderness areas
Wildlife conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2007-02-13
text: 
Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007 - Designates certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, Virginia (Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East, Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch, Stone Mountain, Hunting Camp Creek and Garden Mountain, Mountain Lake Additions, Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek Additions, Shawvers Run Additions, Peters Mountain Addition, and Kimberling Creek Additions) as wilderness. 
 
Designates certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest as: (1) the &quot;Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area ;&quot; and (2) the &quot;Kimberling Creek Potential Wilderness Area&quot; for eventual incorporation in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness. Sets forth requirements regarding ecological restoration. 
 
Designates Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch, and Bear Creek, as National Scenic Areas (Scenic Areas). Establishes such Areas for purposes of: (1) ensuring the protection and preservation of scenic quality, water quality, natural characteristics, and water resources; (2) protecting wildlife and fish habitat; (3) protecting areas that may develop characteristics of old-growth forests; and (4) providing a variety of recreation opportunities. 
 
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) develop a management plan for such Scenic Areas; and (2) establish a trail plan for National Forest System (NFS) lands in order to develop hiking and equestrian trails on the lands in Jefferson National Forest designated as wilderness by this Act and non-motorized recreation trails within the Seng Mountain and Bear Creek Scenic Areas. Sets forth provisions regarding roads, vegetation management, motorized travel, fire, insects and disease, water, and mining and geothermal leasing. 

action_date: 2007-09-04
text: 
Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007 - Designates certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, Virginia (Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East, Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch, Stone Mountain, Hunting Camp Creek and Garden Mountain, Mountain Lake Additions, Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek Additions, Shawvers Run Additions, Peters Mountain Addition, and Kimberling Creek Additions) as wilderness. 

Designates certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest as: (1) the &quot;Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area&quot;; and (2) the &quot;Kimberling Creek Potential Wilderness Area&quot; for eventual incorporation in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness. Sets forth requirements regarding ecological restoration. Specifies that the Potential Wilderness Area be designated as wilderness and included in 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 such Area that are incompatible with the Wilderness Act have been removed; or (2) five years after enactment of this Act. 

Designates Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch, and Bear Creek, as National Scenic Areas (Scenic Areas). Establishes such Areas for purposes of: (1) ensuring the protection and preservation of scenic quality, water quality, natural characteristics, and water resources; (2) protecting wildlife and fish habitat; (3) protecting areas that may develop characteristics of old-growth forests; and (4) providing a variety of recreation opportunities. Authorizes the Secretary to only allow such uses of the Scenic Areas as will further the purposes for which they are established.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a management plan for such Scenic Areas; and (2) establish a trail plan for National Forest System (NFS) lands in order to develop hiking and equestrian trails on the lands in Jefferson National Forest designated as wilderness by this Act and non-motorized recreation trails within the Seng Mountain and Bear Creek Scenic Areas. Instructs the Secretary to establish the trail plan in consultation with interested parties. Requires the Secretary to report on the implementation of such plan, including the identification of priority trails for development.

Directs the Secretary to develop a specified sustainable trail in Smyth County.

Sets forth provisions regarding roads, vegetation management, motorized travel, fire, insects and disease, water, and mining and geothermal leasing. 

action_date: 2007-10-23
text: 
Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007 - Designates certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, Virginia (Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East, Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch, Stone Mountain, Hunting Camp Creek and Garden Mountain, Mountain Lake Additions, Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek Additions, Shawvers Run Additions, Peters Mountain Addition, and Kimberling Creek Additions) as wilderness. 

Designates certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest as: (1) the &quot;Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area&quot;; and (2) the &quot;Kimberling Creek Potential Wilderness Area&quot; for eventual incorporation in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness. Sets forth requirements regarding ecological restoration. Specifies that the Potential Wilderness Area be designated as wilderness and included in 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 such Area that are incompatible with the Wilderness Act have been removed; or (2) five years after enactment of this Act. 

Designates Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch, and Bear Creek, as National Scenic Areas (Scenic Areas). Establishes such Areas for purposes of: (1) ensuring the protection and preservation of scenic quality, water quality, natural characteristics, and water resources; (2) protecting wildlife and fish habitat; (3) protecting areas that may develop characteristics of old-growth forests; and (4) providing a variety of recreation opportunities. Authorizes the Secretary to only allow such uses of the Scenic Areas as will further the purposes for which they are established.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a management plan for such Scenic Areas; and (2) establish a trail plan for National Forest System (NFS) lands in order to develop hiking and equestrian trails on the lands in Jefferson National Forest designated as wilderness by this Act and non-motorized recreation trails within the Seng Mountain and Bear Creek Scenic Areas. Instructs the Secretary to establish the trail plan in consultation with interested parties. Requires the Secretary to report on the implementation of such plan, including the identification of priority trails for development.

Directs the Secretary to develop a specified sustainable trail along the southern boundary of the Raccoon Branch Wilderness connecting to forest development road 49352 in Smyth County.

Sets forth provisions regarding roads, vegetation management, motorized travel, fire, insects and disease, water, mining, mineral and geothermal leasing. 
 
Permits motorized access to lands designated as wilderness or a wilderness study area by this Act when required in connection with an emergency involving the health and safety of persons, including search and rescue efforts or a response to an Amber Alert. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-15
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held.
action_date: 2007-10-24
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: On passage Passed by voice vote.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by voice vote.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: On motion to recommit with instructions Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 236 - 178 (Roll no. 994).
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H11907)
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lamborn motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment inserting a new subsection to motorize access in emergencies.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: Mr. Lamborn moved to recommit with instructions to Natural Resources. (consideration: CR H11907-11908; text: CR H11907)
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Goodlatte amendment.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1011.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1011 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 763. (consideration: CR H11900-11908; text of measure as introduced: CR H11900-11902; text of measure as reported in House: CR H11902-11903)
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: Rule H. Res. 763 passed House.
action_date: 2007-10-22
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 763 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1011 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
action_date: 2007-10-05
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 224.
action_date: 2007-10-05
text: Committee on Agriculture discharged.
action_date: 2007-10-05
text: Committee on Agriculture discharged.
action_date: 2007-09-04
text: House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 5, 2007.
action_date: 2007-09-04
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-315, Part I.
action_date: 2007-09-04
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-315, Part I.
action_date: 2007-06-28
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-06-28
text: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Discharged.
action_date: 2007-06-28
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2007-05-10
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2007-03-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.
action_date: 2007-02-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
action_date: 2007-02-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-02-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-02-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-02-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-02-13
text: Introduced in House