[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 23, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S1751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KAINE (for himself and Mr. Warner):
  S. 3911. A bill to establish the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic 
Area in the State of Virginia, and for other purposes; to the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation that is 
the product of 18 years of collaborative work from a diverse group of 
stakeholders in Virginia, including local recreation groups, 
conservationists, timber industry representatives, and sportsmen.
  The Shenandoah Mountain Act of 2022 would designate more than 92,000 
acres of the George Washington National Forest in Virginia as the 
Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area, SMNSA.
  Congress designates national scenic areas to protect the natural and 
scenic value of lands that are also compatible with recreational uses 
such as hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, mountain biking, among 
others.
  The SMNSA encompasses four wilderness areas: Skidmore Fork, Little 
River, Ramsey's Draft, and Lynn Hollow, which in total include 10 peaks 
above 4,000 feet and 150 miles of trails to attract campers, hikers, 
mountain bikers, fishermen, birders, and equestrians. The legislation 
also establishes a 5,764 acre wilderness area at Beech Lick Knob, 
located 10 miles to the north.
  The SMNSA will protect important water resources, as it contains 
headwaters for the Potomac and James Rivers and watersheds that provide 
drinking water sources for Harrisonburg, Staunton, and communities 
farther downstream, such as Washington, DC, and Richmond. It is also a 
hotspot for biodiversity. Cold mountain streams in the area are also a 
stronghold for native brook trout. Today's legislation would 
permanently protect those rivers and streams from industrial 
development, and it would also help safeguard plant and wildlife 
habitat for black bears, wild turkeys, more than 250 species of birds, 
and at-risk species like the Cow Knob and Shenandoah Mountain 
salamanders.
  The Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area will provide a boost to 
the region's growing tourism industry. In 2019, the tourism economy 
directly employed 5,365 people and generated $601 million in Augusta, 
Rockingham, and Highland Counties, as well as Harrisonburg and 
Staunton. Designation of the SMNSA would further grow this value.
  These challenging past 2 years have underscored that getting out into 
nature is critical to our health and well-being. I am proud that the 
Shenandoah Mountain Act will expand these opportunities within the 
George Washington National Forest for visitors near and far, while also 
boosting our local economies, protecting drinking water sources, and 
preserving the wildlife that makes this area so special.
  The local governments of Staunton, Augusta, Rockingham, and 
Harrisonburg, along with over 400 businesses and organizations, have 
endorsed the new designation for the vast benefits it will have on the 
surrounding communities. I thank my colleague Senator Mark Warner for 
joining me in introducing this legislation. I also commend our local 
stakeholders for working on this proposal for so many years.

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