1.Short title and table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the
Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of
2007
.
(b)The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of
contents.
Sec. 2. Designation of additional
National Forest System lands in Jefferson National Forest, Virginia, as
wilderness or a wilderness study area.
Sec. 3. Designation of Kimberling Creek
Potential Wilderness Area, Jefferson National Forest, Virginia.
Sec. 4. Designation of Seng Mountain and
Bear Creek Scenic Areas, Jefferson National Forest, Virginia.
Sec. 5. Trail plan and
development.
2.Designation of additional National Forest
System lands in Jefferson National Forest, Virginia, as wilderness or a
wilderness study area
(a)Designation of wildernessSection 1 of Public Law 100–326 (102 Stat.
584; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note), as amended by Public Law 106–471 (114 Stat. 2057),
is further amended—
(1)in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking System—
and inserting System:
;
(2)by striking certain
at the
beginning of paragraphs (1) through (8) and inserting
Certain
;
(3)by striking the semicolon at the end of
paragraphs (1) through (6) and inserting a period;
(4)by striking ; and
at the end
of paragraph (7) and inserting a period; and
(5)by adding at the end the following new
paragraphs:
(9)Certain lands in the Jefferson National
Forest, which comprise approximately 3,769 acres, as generally depicted on the
map entitled Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East
and dated
February 2007, and which shall be known as the Brush Mountain East
Wilderness.
(10)Certain lands in the Jefferson National
Forest, which comprise approximately 4,794 acres, as generally depicted on the
map entitled Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East
and dated
February 2007, and which shall be known as the Brush Mountain
Wilderness.
(11)Certain lands in the Jefferson National
Forest, which comprise approximately 4,223 acres, as generally depicted on the
map entitled Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch
and dated February
2007, and which shall be known as the Raccoon Branch Wilderness.
(12)Certain lands in the Jefferson National
Forest, which comprise approximately 3,270 acres, as generally depicted on the
map entitled Stone Mountain
and dated February 2007, and which
shall be known as the Stone Mountain Wilderness.
(13)Certain lands in the Jefferson National
Forest, which comprise approximately 8,470 acres, as generally depicted on the
map entitled Hunting Camp Creek and Garden Mountain
and dated
February 2007, and which shall be known as the Hunting Camp Creek
Wilderness.
(14)Certain lands in the Jefferson National
Forest, which comprise approximately 3,291 acres, as generally depicted on the
map entitled Hunting Camp Creek and Garden Mountain
and dated
February 2007, and which shall be known as the Garden Mountain
Wilderness.
(15)Certain lands in the Jefferson National
Forest, which comprise approximately 5,476 acres, as generally depicted on the
map entitled Mountain Lake Additions
and dated February 2007,
and which are hereby incorporated in the Mountain Lake Wilderness designated by
section 2(6) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–586; 98
Stat. 3105).
(16)Certain lands in the Jefferson National
Forest, which comprise approximately 308 acres, as generally depicted on the
map entitled Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek
Additions
and dated February 2007, and which are hereby incorporated in
the Lewis Fork Wilderness designated by section 2(3) of the Virginia Wilderness
Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–586; 98 Stat. 3105).
(17)Certain lands in the Jefferson National
Forest, which comprise approximately 1,845 acres, as generally depicted on the
map entitled Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek
Additions
and dated February 2007, and which are hereby incorporated in
the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness designated by section 2(5) of the Virginia
Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–586; 98 Stat. 3105).
(18)Certain lands in the Jefferson National
Forest, which comprise approximately 2,249 acres, as generally depicted on the
map entitled Shawvers Run Additions
and dated February 2007, and
which are hereby incorporated in the Shawvers Run Wilderness designated by
paragraph (4).
(19)Certain lands in the Jefferson National
Forest, which comprise approximately 1,203 acres, as generally depicted on the
map entitled Peters Mountain Addition
and dated February 2007,
and which are hereby incorporated in the Peters Mountain Wilderness designated
by section 2(7) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–586; 98
Stat. 3105).
(20)Certain lands in the Jefferson National
Forest, which comprise approximately 263 acres, as generally depicted on the
map entitled Kimberling Creek Additions and Potential Wilderness
Area
and dated February 2007, and which are hereby incorporated in the
Kimberling Creek Wilderness designated by section 2(2) of the Virginia
Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–586; 98 Stat.
3105).
.
(b)Designation of wilderness study
areaSection 6(a) of the
Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–586; 98 Stat. 3108) is
amended—
(1)by striking certain
at the
beginning of paragraphs (1) through (4) and inserting
Certain
;
(2)by striking the semicolon at the end of
paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting a period;
(3)by striking ; and
at the end
of paragraph (3) and inserting a period; and
(4)by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
(5)Certain lands in the Jefferson National
Forest, which comprise approximately 3,226 acres, as generally depicted on a
map entitled Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area
and dated
February 2007, and which shall be known as the Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study
Area.
.
(c)Maps and legal descriptions
(1)As soon as practicable after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall file with the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the
Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives a map and legal description of each wilderness area designated
or expanded by the amendments made by subsection (a) and of the Lynn Camp Creek
Wilderness Study Area designated by the amendment made by subsection
(b).
(2)The maps and legal descriptions referred to
in paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this
Act, except that the Secretary of Agriculture may correct clerical and
typographical errors in the maps and descriptions. In the case of any
discrepancy between the acreage specified in the amendments made by subsection
(a) or (b) and the corresponding map filed under paragraph (1), the map shall
control.
(3)The maps and legal descriptions referred to
in paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the
Office of the Chief of the Forest Service.
(d)
(1)Subject to valid existing rights, the
Secretary of Agriculture shall administer the lands in the Jefferson National
Forest designated as a new wilderness area by the amendments made by subsection
(a) in accordance with this section and the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et
seq.), except that, with respect to such lands, any reference in the Wilderness
Act to the effective date of that Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(2)Expanded wilderness areasSubject to valid existing rights, the
Secretary of Agriculture shall administer the lands in the Jefferson National
Forest designated as wilderness and incorporated into an existing wilderness
area by the amendments made by subsection (a) in accordance with this section,
the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), and other laws applicable to that
wilderness area, except that, with respect to such lands, any reference in the
Wilderness Act to the effective date of that Act shall be deemed to be a
reference to the date of the enactment of this Act.
3.Designation of Kimberling Creek Potential
Wilderness Area, Jefferson National Forest, Virginia
(a)In furtherance of the purposes of the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), certain lands in the Jefferson
National Forest, which comprise approximately 349 acres, as generally depicted
on the map entitled Kimberling Creek Additions and Potential Wilderness
Area
and dated February 2007, are designated as a potential wilderness
area for eventual incorporation in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness designated
by section 2(2) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–586; 98
Stat. 3105).
(b)Map and legal descriptions
(1)As soon as practicable after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall file with the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the
Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives a map and legal description of potential wilderness
area.
(2)The map and legal description referred to
in paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this
Act, except that the Secretary of Agriculture may correct clerical and
typographical errors in the map and description. In the case of any discrepancy
between the acreage specified in subsection (a) and the map filed under
paragraph (1), the map shall control.
(3)The map and legal description referred to
in paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the
Office of the Chief of the Forest Service.
(c)Except as provided in subsection (d) and
subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary of Agriculture shall manage the
potential wilderness area as wilderness pending its incorporation in the
Kimberling Creek Wilderness.
(d)
(1)For purposes of ecological restoration
(including the elimination of non-native species, removal of illegal, unused,
or decommissioned roads, and any other activities necessary to restore the
natural ecosystems in the potential wilderness area), the Secretary of
Agriculture may use motorized equipment and mechanized transport in the
potential wilderness area until its incorporation in the Kimberling Creek
Wilderness.
(2)To the maximum extent practicable, the
Secretary shall use the minimum tool or administrative practice necessary to
accomplish ecological restoration with the least amount of adverse impact on
wilderness character and resources.
(e)The potential wilderness area shall be
designated as wilderness and incorporated in the 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 the
potential wilderness area that are incompatible with the Wilderness Act (16
U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) have been removed; or
(2)the date that is five years after the date
of the enactment of this Act.
(f)Subject to valid existing rights, upon
incorporation of the lands designated as wilderness under subsection (e) in the
Kimberling Creek Wilderness, the Secretary of Agriculture shall administer the
lands in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) and other
laws applicable to that wilderness area, except that, with respect to such
lands, any reference in the Wilderness Act to the effective date of that Act
shall be deemed to be a reference to the date on which the lands are designated
as wilderness under subsection (e).
4.Designation of Seng Mountain and Bear Creek
Scenic Areas, Jefferson National Forest, Virginia
(a)The following National Forest System lands
in the State of Virginia are hereby designated as National Scenic Areas (in
this section referred to as the scenic areas
):
(1)Certain lands in the Jefferson National
Forest, which comprise approximately 6,455 acres, as generally depicted on the
map entitled Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch
and dated February
2007, and which shall be known as the Seng Mountain National Scenic
Area.
(2)Certain lands in the Jefferson National
Forest, which comprise approximately 5,128 acres, as generally depicted on the
map entitled Bear Creek
and dated February 2007, and which shall
be known as the Bear Creek National Scenic Area.
(b)Maps and legal descriptions
(1)As soon as practicable after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall file with the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the
Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives a map and legal description of each of the scenic areas.
(2)The maps and legal descriptions referred to
in paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this
Act, except that the Secretary of Agriculture may correct clerical and
typographical errors in the maps and descriptions. In the case of any
discrepancy between the acreage specified in subsection (a) and the
corresponding map filed under paragraph (1), the map shall control.
(3)The maps and legal descriptions referred to
in paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the
Office of the Chief of the Forest Service.
(c)The scenic areas are established for the
purposes of—
(1)ensuring the protection and preservation of
scenic quality, water quality, natural characteristics, and water
resources;
(2)protecting wildlife and fish habitat,
consistent with paragraph (1);
(3)protecting areas that may develop
characteristics of old-growth forests; and
(4)providing a variety of recreation
opportunities, consistent with the preceding paragraphs.
(d)
(1)The Secretary of Agriculture shall
administer the scenic areas in accordance with this section and the laws and
regulations generally applicable to the National Forest System. In the event of
conflict between this section and other laws and regulations, this section
shall take precedence.
(2)The Secretary shall only
allow such uses of the scenic areas as the Secretary finds will further the
purposes for which the scenic areas are established.
(e)Within two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall develop a management
plan for the scenic areas consistent with this section. The management plan
shall be developed as an amendment to the land and resource management plan for
the Jefferson National Forest, except that nothing in this section requires the
Secretary to revise the land and resource management plan for the Jefferson
National Forest pursuant to section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable
Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604).
(f)After the date of the enactment of this
Act, no roads shall be established or constructed within the scenic areas,
except that this prohibition shall not be construed to deny access to private
lands or interests therein in the scenic areas.
(g)No timber harvest shall be allowed within
the scenic areas, except as the Secretary of Agriculture finds necessary in the
control of fire, insects, and diseases and to provide for public safety and
trail access. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Secretary may engage
in vegetation manipulation practices for maintenance of existing wildlife
clearings and visual quality. Firewood may be harvested for personal use along
perimeter roads under such conditions as the Secretary may impose.
(h)Motorized travel shall not be permitted
within the scenic areas, except that the Secretary of Agriculture may authorize
motorized travel within the scenic areas—
(1)as necessary for administrative use in
furtherance of the purposes of this section;
(2)in support of wildlife management projects
in existence as of the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(3)on Forest Development Road 9410 and 84b
during deer and bear hunting seasons.
(i)Wildfires in the scenic area shall be
suppressed in a manner consistent with the purposes of this section, using such
means as the Secretary of Agriculture considers appropriate.
(j)Insect and disease outbreaks may be
controlled in the scenic areas to maintain scenic quality, prevent tree
mortality, reduce hazards to visitors, or protect private lands.
(k)The Secretary of Agriculture shall
administer the scenic areas so as to maintain and enhance water quality.
(l)Subject to valid existing rights, all
federally owned lands in the scenic areas are withdrawn from location, entry,
and patent under the mining laws of the United States and from leasing claims
under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws of the United States, including
amendments to such laws.
5.Trail plan and development
(a)The Secretary of Agriculture shall
establish a trail plan for National Forest System lands described in this
subsection in order to develop the following:
(1)Hiking and equestrian trails on the lands
in the Jefferson National Forest designated as wilderness by the amendments
made by section 2(a), in a manner consistent with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1131 et seq.).
(2)Nonmotorized recreation trails within the
Seng Mountain and Bear Creek Scenic Areas designated by section 4.
(b)The Secretary of Agriculture shall
establish the trail plan in consultation with interested parties.
(c)Not later than two years after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to
Congress a report on the implementation of the trail plan, including the
identification of priority trails for development.
(d)The Secretary of
Agriculture shall develop a sustainable trail, using a contour curvilinear
alignment, to provide a continuous connection for non-motorized travel between
County Route 650 and Forest Development Road 4018 in Smyth County,
Virginia.
1.This Act may be cited as the
Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of
2008
.
2.In this Act:
(1)The term scenic areas
means the Seng
Mountain National Scenic Area and the Bear Creek National Scenic Area.
(2)The
term Secretary
means the Secretary of Agriculture.
3.Designation of additional National Forest
System land in Jefferson National Forest, Virginia, as wilderness or a
wilderness study area
(a)Designation of wildernessSection 1 of Public Law 100–326 (16 U.S.C.
1132 note; 102 Stat. 584, 114 Stat. 2057), is amended—
(1)in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking System—
and inserting System:
;
(2)by striking certain
each
place it appears and inserting Certain
;
(3)in each of paragraphs (1) through (6), by
striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period;
(4)in paragraph (7), by striking ;
and
and inserting a period; and
(5)by adding at the end the following:
(9)Certain land in the Jefferson National
Forest comprising approximately 3,743 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East
and dated May 5,
2008, which shall be known as the Brush Mountain East
Wilderness
.
(10)Certain land in the Jefferson National
Forest comprising approximately 4,794 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East
and dated May 5,
2008, which shall be known as the Brush Mountain
Wilderness
.
(11)Certain land in the Jefferson National
Forest comprising approximately 4,223 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch
and dated April 28,
2008, which shall be known as the Raccoon Branch
Wilderness
.
(12)Certain land in the Jefferson National
Forest comprising approximately 3,270 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled Stone Mountain
and dated April 28, 2008, which shall be
known as the Stone Mountain Wilderness
.
(13)Certain land in the Jefferson National
Forest comprising approximately 8,470 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled Garden Mountain and Hunting Camp Creek
and dated April
28, 2008, which shall be known as the Hunting Camp Creek
Wilderness
.
(14)Certain land in the Jefferson National
Forest comprising approximately 3,291 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled Garden Mountain and Hunting Camp Creek
and dated April
28, 2008, which shall be known as the Garden Mountain
Wilderness
.
(15)Certain land in the Jefferson National
Forest comprising approximately 5,476 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled Mountain Lake Additions
and dated April 28, 2008, which
is incorporated in the Mountain Lake Wilderness designated by section 2(6) of
the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law
98–586).
(16)Certain land in the Jefferson National
Forest comprising approximately 308 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek Additions
and dated April 28, 2008, which is incorporated in the Lewis Fork Wilderness
designated by section 2(3) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C.
1132 note; Public Law 98–586).
(17)Certain land in the Jefferson National
Forest comprising approximately 1,845 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek Additions
and dated April 28, 2008, which is incorporated in the Little Wilson Creek
Wilderness designated by section 2(5) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984
(16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–586).
(18)Certain land in the Jefferson National
Forest comprising approximately 2,219 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled Shawvers Run Additions
and dated April 28, 2008, which
is incorporated in the Shawvers Run Wilderness designated by paragraph
(4).
(19)Certain land in the Jefferson National
Forest comprising approximately 1,203 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled Peters Mountain Addition
and dated April 28, 2008,
which is incorporated in the Peters Mountain Wilderness designated by section
2(7) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law
98–586).
(20)Certain land in the Jefferson National
Forest comprising approximately 263 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled Kimberling Creek Additions and Potential Wilderness
Area
and dated April 28, 2008, which is incorporated in the Kimberling
Creek Wilderness designated by section 2(2) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of
1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law
98–586).
.
(b)Designation of wilderness study
areaSection 6(a) of the
Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–586) is
amended—
(1)by striking certain
each
place it appears and inserting Certain
;
(2)in each of paragraphs (1) and (2), by
striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period;
(3)in paragraph (3), by striking ;
and
and inserting a period; and
(4)by adding at the end the following:
(5)Certain land in the Jefferson National
Forest comprising approximately 3,226 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area
and dated April
28, 2008, which shall be known as the Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study
Area
.
.
4.Designation of Kimberling Creek Potential
Wilderness Area, Jefferson National Forest, Virginia
(a)In furtherance of the purposes of the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), certain land in the Jefferson National
Forest comprising approximately 349 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled Kimberling Creek Additions and Potential Wilderness
Area
and dated April 28, 2008, is designated as a potential wilderness
area for incorporation in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness designated by section
2(2) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law
98–586).
(b)Except as provided in subsection (c) and
subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary shall manage the potential
wilderness area in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et
seq.).
(c)
(1)For purposes of ecological restoration
(including the elimination of nonnative species, removal of illegal, unused, or
decommissioned roads, and any other activity necessary to restore the natural
ecosystems in the potential wilderness area), the Secretary may use motorized
equipment and mechanized transport in the potential wilderness area until the
date on which the potential wilderness area is incorporated into the Kimberling
Creek Wilderness.
(2)To the maximum extent practicable, the
Secretary shall use the minimum tool or administrative practice necessary to
accomplish ecological restoration with the least amount of adverse impact on
wilderness character and resources.
(d)The potential wilderness area shall be
designated as wilderness and incorporated in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness on
the earlier of—
(1)the date on which the Secretary publishes
in the Federal Register notice that the conditions in the potential wilderness
area that are incompatible with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.)
have been removed; or
(2)the date that is 5 years after the date of
enactment of this Act.
5.Seng Mountain and Bear
Creek Scenic Areas, Jefferson National Forest, Virginia
(a)There
are designated as National Scenic Areas—
(1)certain National Forest
System land in the Jefferson National Forest, comprising approximately 5,192
acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Seng Mountain and
Raccoon Branch
and dated April 28, 2008, which shall be known as the
Seng Mountain National Scenic Area
; and
(2)certain National Forest
System land in the Jefferson National Forest, comprising approximately 5,128
acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Bear Creek
and
dated April 28, 2008, which shall be known as the Bear Creek National
Scenic Area
.
(b)The
purposes of the scenic areas are—
(1)to ensure the protection
and preservation of scenic quality, water quality, natural characteristics, and
water resources of the scenic areas;
(2)consistent with paragraph
(1), to protect wildlife and fish habitat in the scenic areas;
(3)to protect areas in the
scenic areas that may develop characteristics of old-growth forests; and
(4)consistent with
paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), to provide a variety of recreation opportunities
in the scenic areas.
(c)
(1)The Secretary shall administer the scenic areas in
accordance with—
(A)this Act; and
(B)the laws (including
regulations) generally applicable to the National Forest System.
(2)The Secretary shall only allow uses of the scenic areas that
the Secretary determines will further the purposes of the scenic areas, as
described in subsection (b).
(d)
(1)Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall develop as an amendment to the land and resource
management plan for the Jefferson National Forest a management plan for the
scenic areas.
(2)Nothing
in this subsection requires the Secretary to revise the land and resource
management plan for the Jefferson National Forest under section 6 of the Forest
and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604).
(e)
(1)Except as provided in paragraph (2), after the date of
enactment of this Act, no roads shall be established or constructed within the
scenic areas.
(2)Nothing
in this subsection denies any owner of private land (or an interest in private
land) that is located in a scenic area the right to access the private
land.
(f)
(1)Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), no
harvesting of timber shall be allowed within the scenic areas.
(2)The
Secretary may authorize harvesting of timber in the scenic areas if the
Secretary determines that the harvesting is necessary to—
(A)control fire;
(B)provide for public safety
or trail access; or
(C)control insect and
disease outbreaks.
(3)Firewood for personal
useFirewood may be harvested for personal use along perimeter
roads in the scenic areas, subject to any conditions that the Secretary may
impose.
(g)Insect and disease
outbreaksThe Secretary may control insect and disease
outbreaks—
(1)to maintain scenic
quality;
(2)to prevent tree
mortality;
(3)to reduce hazards to
visitors; or
(4)to protect private
land.
(h)The Secretary may engage in vegetation manipulation
practices in the scenic areas to maintain the visual quality and wildlife
clearings in existence on the date of enactment of this Act.
(i)
(1)Except as provided in paragraph (2), motorized vehicles
shall not be allowed within the scenic areas.
(2)The
Secretary may authorize the use of motorized vehicles—
(A)to carry out
administrative activities that further the purposes of the scenic areas, as
described in subsection (b);
(B)to assist wildlife
management projects in existence on the date of enactment of this Act;
and
(C)during deer and bear
hunting seasons—
(i)on Forest Development
Roads 49410 and 84b; and
(ii)on the portion of Forest
Development Road 6261 designated on the map described in subsection (a)(2) as
open seasonally
.
(j)Wildfire suppression within the scenic areas shall be
conducted—
(1)in a manner consistent
with the purposes of the scenic areas, as described in subsection (b);
and
(2)using such means as the
Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(k)The
Secretary shall administer the scenic areas in a manner that maintains and
enhances water quality.
(l)Subject
to valid existing rights, all Federal land in the scenic areas is withdrawn
from—
(1)location, entry, and
patent under the mining laws; and
(2)operation of the mineral
leasing and geothermal leasing laws.
6.Trail plan and
development
(a)The Secretary, in consultation with interested parties,
shall establish a trail plan to develop—
(1)in a manner consistent
with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), hiking and equestrian trails
in the wilderness areas designated by paragraphs (9) through (20) of section 1
of Public Law 100–326 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note) (as added by section 3(a)(5));
and
(2)nonmotorized recreation
trails in the scenic areas.
(b)Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes the
implementation of the trail plan, including the identification of priority
trails for development.
(c)Sustainable trail requiredThe Secretary shall develop a sustainable
trail, using a contour curvilinear alignment, to provide for nonmotorized
travel along the southern boundary of the Raccoon Branch Wilderness established
by section 1(11) of Public Law 100–326 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note) (as added by
section 3(a)(5)) connecting to Forest Development Road 49352 in Smyth County,
Virginia.
7.Maps and boundary
descriptions
(a)As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall file with the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources and the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives maps and boundary
descriptions of—
(1)the scenic areas;
(2)the wilderness areas
designated by paragraphs (9) through (20) of section 1 of Public Law 100–326
(16 U.S.C. 1132 note) (as added by section 3(a)(5));
(3)the wilderness study area
designated by section 6(a)(5) of the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C.
1132 note; Public Law 98–586) (as added by section 3(b)(4)); and
(4)the potential wilderness
area designated by section 4(a).
(b)The maps and boundary descriptions filed under subsection
(a) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except
that the Secretary may correct any minor errors in the maps and boundary
descriptions.
(c)Availability of map and
boundary descriptionThe maps and boundary descriptions filed
under subsection (a) shall be on file and available for public inspection in
the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service.
(d)In
the case of a conflict between a map filed under subsection (a) and the acreage
of the applicable areas specified in this Act, the map shall control.
8.Any reference in the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) to the effective date of that Act shall
be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this Act for
purposes of administering—
(1)the wilderness areas
designated by paragraphs (9) through (20) of section 1 of Public Law 100–326
(16 U.S.C. 1132 note) (as added by section 3(a)(5)); and
(2)the potential wilderness
area designated by section 4(a).
June 16, 2008
Reported with an amendment