[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 90 (Thursday, July 13, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S6678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ROBB (for himself and Mr. Warner):
  S. 2865. A bill to designate certain land of the National Forest 
System located in the State of Virginia as wilderness; to the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources.


                    virginia wilderness act of 2000

  Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to introduce a 
bill that will protect one of the most beautiful areas of Virginia. 
Today, with my colleague John Warner, I am introducing the Virginia 
Wilderness Act of 2000. This Act will provide wilderness status to two 
exceptional areas of Virginia. These areas, the ``Three Ridges'' and 
``The Priest'' have long been recognized for their outstanding vistas, 
deep valleys and rugged beauty.
  After receiving wilderness designation these areas will remain 
available for hunting, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and other 
traditional uses. Wilderness protections will ensure that ``The Three 
Ridges'' and ``The Priest'' remain available for the full enjoyment of 
our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
  This action is now fully supported by the Virginia delegation, and 
the communities closest to the proposed wilderness areas. I hope we 
will see quick action on this bill through the committee and that we 
can move it to floor and complete action on the bill this year.
  I ask unanimous consent that this bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2865

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Virginia Wilderness Act of 
     2000''.

     SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS.

       Section 1 of the Act entitled ``An Act to designate certain 
     National Forest System lands in the States of Virginia and 
     West Virginia as wilderness areas'' (Public Law 100-326; 102 
     Stat. 584) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting 
     a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) certain land in the George Washington National 
     Forest, comprising approximately 6,500 acres, as generally 
     depicted on a map entitled `The Priest Wilderness Study 
     Area', dated June 6, 2000, to be known as the `Priest 
     Wilderness Area'; and
       ``(8) certain land in the George Washington National 
     Forest, comprising approximately 4,800 acres, as generally 
     depicted on a map entitled `The Three Ridges Wilderness Study 
     Area', dated June 6, 2000, to be known as the `Three Ridges 
     Wilderness Area.''.

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today in support of legislation to 
add two areas in my State to the National Wilderness Preservation 
System. These areas, known as The Priest and the Three Ridges, are 
located in the George Washington National Forest and comprise 
approximately 10,500 acres.
  The Commonwealth of Virginia is blessed with rich geographic 
diversity. From the Chesapeake Bay in the East to the Appalachian 
Mountains in the West, residents of the state and visitors alike are 
able to participate in a broad range of activities not often found in 
other areas of the country.
  The Priest and the Three Ridges, in particular, offer unique 
opportunities for visitors to enjoy scenic views, interaction with 
wildlife, hiking, fishing, and other types of outdoor recreation. These 
areas need to be protected from development, and this legislation would 
ensure that they remain pristine for the use and enjoyment of present 
and future generations.
  Mr. President, I look forward to the designation of The Priest and 
Three Ridges as wilderness through the swift passage of this bill.
                                 ______