The U.S. House of Representatives last week approved H.R. 1011, The Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007, bipartisan legislation authored by Congressman Rick Boucher, which would create new Wilderness Areas, new National Scenic Areas, and would expand six existing Wilderness Areas in portions of Giles and Montgomery Counties as well as in Bland, Craig, Grayson, Lee, and Smyth Counties within the Jefferson National Forest.

“Southwest Virginia possesses the state’s best outdoor experience, with the highest mountains, most interesting rivers, and superb hunting, camping, fishing, hiking, and backpacking opportunities,” Boucher said. “Today’s passage of the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007 will designate nearly 54,000 acres of the Jefferson National Forest as Wilderness or National Scenic Areas, thereby protecting their pristine quality, while enhancing the tourism economy of the region by enticing travelers to visit and enjoy the protected and untouched landscape which Southwest Virginia has to offer.”

Designating a tract of land as Wilderness enables the U.S. Forest Service to preserve the scenic and undisturbed character of the landscape. Recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, picnicking, backpacking, bird watching, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, spelunking, rock-climbing and many other outdoor activities would be continued and encouraged in the new Wilderness Areas. At the same time, motorized traffic and mechanized equipment would be banned to prevent any disruption to the ecosystems and diverse wildlife in the areas.

Each of the proposed Wilderness and National Scenic Area designations has been endorsed by either the U.S. Forest Service or the Board of Supervisors of the county in which the area would be located. The new Wilderness Area approved by the House in the New River Valley is Brush Mountain, located in Montgomery County, near Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. The area is 4,794 acres in size and extends approximately 8 miles along the northwest slope of Brush Mountain. The property is characterized largely by its remoteness, despite its proximity to the suburbs of Blacksburg, providing hunters and hikers with a feeling of true wilderness solitude.

In addition, the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act will expand six existing Wilderness Areas to protect the unique and undisturbed landscape of the region. The Mountain Lake Wilderness Area in Giles and Craig Counties will be expanded to include an additional 5,476 acres; the Lewis Fork Wilderness Area in Smyth and Grayson Counties will be expanded an additional 308 acres; the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness Area in Grayson County will be expanded by 1,845 acres; Shawvers Run Wilderness Area which is located in Craig County will be expanded to include an additional 2,249 acres of Wilderness; Peters Mountain Wilderness Area which is located in Giles County will be expanded to include an additional 1,203 acres of Wilderness; and the Kimberling Creek Wilderness Area in Bland County will be expanded by 612 acres.

Identical legislation has been introduced in U.S. Senate by Virginia Senators John Warner and Jim Webb.