The bill would also expand six existing wilderness areas in portions of Bland, Craig, Grayson, Giles, Lee, Montgomery and Smyth counties within Jefferson National Forest.
Among the wilderness areas that would be expanded by the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act is the Mountain Lake Wilderness Area in Giles and Craig counties, which would gain 5,476 acres. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, is the bill's primary sponsor.
The designation of land as either a wilderness or a national scenic area aims to protect it and help preserve its natural, historic and recreational resources.
Recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, kayaking and horseback riding are encouraged in wilderness and national scenic areas, although motorized traffic and mechanized equipment are banned from wilderness areas.
Non-motorized mountain biking and limited motorized access are permitted in certain portions of national scenic areas.
The new wilderness areas proposed include Stone Mountain in Lee County; Raccoon Branch in Smyth County; Brush Mountain in Montgomery County; Brush Mountain East in Craig County; and Garden Mountain, Hunting Camp Creek and Lynn Camp Creek in Bland County.
The proposed national scenic areas listed in the legislation are Seng Mountain and Bear Creek, both in Smyth County.
Sen. John Warner has introduced the legislation in the Senate, where it has been referred to committee.
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