[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 4, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E864-E865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF THE VIRGINIA RIDGE AND VALLEY ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RICK BOUCHER

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 4, 2005

  Mr. BOUCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Virginia 
Ridge and Valley Act of 2005. 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. With the preservation of our region's natural assets in 
mind, I have joined with U.S. Senator John Warner in introducing the 
Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2005. If enacted, the legislation 
would create 7 new Wilderness Areas, 2 new National Scenic Areas and 
would expand 6 existing Wilderness Areas. The new or expanded areas 
would be designated in portions of Bland, Craig, Grayson, Giles, Lee, 
Montgomery and Smyth Counties within the Jefferson National Forest.
  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.
  The seven proposed Wilderness Areas are:
  Stone Mountain (Cave Springs)--The Stone Mountain proposed Wilderness 
Area is a 3,270-acre tract of land adjacent to the North Fork of the 
Powell River in Lee County. The property is considered to be the least 
disturbed forest in all of Southwest Virginia and is home to 
populations of two rare salamanders. The Stone Mountain and Payne 
Branch trails are included as part of the proposed Wilderness Area and 
provide convenient access for hikers and hunters wishing to visit the 
Wilderness Area. The trails are also connected to an adjacent 
campground at Cave Springs.
  Raccoon Branch--The Raccoon Branch proposed Wilderness Area is 
located in Smyth County in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. 
The property contains 4,223 acres of extremely rugged country 
characterized by high ridges and low streams. Eight major trails 
provide excellent access for hunters, fishermen, hikers and horseback 
riders and two nearby campgrounds serve as convenient trailheads. In 
addition, 4.5 miles of the Appalachian Trail also traverses the 
proposed Wilderness Area.
  Garden Mountain--The Garden Mountain proposed Wilderness Area 
contains 3,291 acres of land which lies on the southern flank of Garden 
Mountain in Bland County. The area borders the unique geological 
structure of Burkes Garden and possesses two developed trails, totaling 
8 miles when combined. Along the northern boundary, the Appalachian 
Trail leads across the summit of Garden Mountain, while the Lick Creek 
Trail provides access to the area along the valley bottom.
  Hunting Camp Creek--The Hunting Camp Creek proposed Wilderness Area 
encompasses the headwaters of both Hunting Camp Creek and Little Wolf 
Creek in Bland County and is characterized by its exceptionally 
pristine nature. The area consists of 8,470 acres that stretch from 
ridge top to ridge top. The Appalachian Trail traverses the area in 
addition to two informal trails along an old logging railroad grade 
next to Hunting Camp Creek and along the crest of Brushy Mountain. 
Brushy Mountain forms the Southeast boundary of the proposed 
wilderness, and Garden Mountain forms the northwestern edge. Virginia 
Routes 623, 615 and 610 complete the area's boundary.
  Lynn Camp Creek--The Lynn Camp Creek proposed Wilderness Area is also 
located in Bland County and is 3,226 acres in size. The area is 
characterized by three parallel ridges which enclose the major stream 
valleys of Lick Creek and Lynn Camp Creek and provide the opportunity 
for good views. From the top of Lynn Camp Mountain, hikers can view 
Chestnut Ridge and the Beartown Wilderness. From Brushy Mountain, 
hikers overlook the valley of Lynn Camp Creek on one side and Big 
Walker Mountain on the other side. In addition, both Lick Creek and 
Lynn Camp Creek are excellent brook trout waters.
  Brush Mountain--The Brush Mountain proposed Wilderness Area is 
located in Montgomery County, adjacent to the Town of 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.

  Brush Mountain East--The Brush Mountain East proposed Wilderness Area 
is adjacent to the Brush Mountain proposed Wilderness Area and is 
located in Craig County. This tract is 3,769 acres in size and shares 
many of the characteristics of its neighboring proposed Wilderness 
Area. Brush Mountain East also possesses excellent views along Craig 
Creek and Brush Mountain's steep mountain face.
  The Virginia Ridge and Valley Act also includes the designations for 
two new National Scenic Areas. Differing from Wilderness Areas, the 
guidelines protecting National Scenic Areas allow mountain biking and 
limited motorized access in certain portions of the Scenic Areas. At 
the same time, the natural and historic resources within the proposed 
National Scenic Areas would be protected to preserve the landscape.
  The proposed National Scenic Areas designated in the legislation are:
  Bear Creek--The Bear Creek proposed National Scenic Area is located 
in Smyth County and includes 5,503 acres. The area extends from the 
crest of Walker Mountain southward to the crest of Brushy Mountain and 
includes the enclosed valley of Bear Creek between the two mountains. 
An extensive network of trails is included in the proposed area, 
including more than four miles of the Appalachian National Scenic 
Trail.
  Seng Mountain--The Seng Mountain proposed National Scenic Area is 
6,455 acres in size and is located in the Mount Rogers National 
Recreation Area in Smyth County. Rowland Creek Falls, a 45-foot 
cascading waterfall is a major scenic attraction in the area. The area 
also includes a network of recreational trails and convenient access is 
provided to visitors via the Hurricane Campground and Skulls Gap Picnic 
Area.
  Finally, the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act would expand six existing 
Wilderness Areas to further protect the unique and undisturbed 
landscape of the region.
  Lewis Fork Wilderness Area in Smyth and Grayson Counties will be 
expanded to include an additional 308 acres.
  Little Wilson Creek Wilderness Area in Grayson County will be 
expanded by 1,845 acres.
  Kimberling Creek Wilderness Area in Bland County will be expanded to 
include 612 additional acres of wilderness.
  Peters Mountain Wilderness Area, which is located in Giles County, 
will be expanded to include an additional 1,203 acres.
  Mountain Lake Wilderness Area in Giles and Craig Counties will be 
expanded by 5,476 acres.
  Shawvers Run Wilderness Area in Craig County will be expanded to 
include an additional 2,456 acres.
  I am pleased to report that the new proposed designations which are 
included in the legislation which Senator Warner and I have introduced 
have received local support. Each

[[Page E865]]

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 legislation has also garnered significant support in the U.S. 
House of Representatives by several other Virginia Congressmen. U.S. 
Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Jim Moran (VA-08), Frank Wolf (VA-
10) and Tom Davis (VA-11) are original co-sponsors of the Virginia 
Ridge and Valley Act. I look forward to working closely with my 
Virginia colleagues in both the House and the Senate to obtain approval 
for this worthy legislation.

                          ____________________