[Senate Report 110-349]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                                       Calendar No. 781
110th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE
 2d Session                                                     110-349

======================================================================



 
                     VIRGINIA RIDGE AND VALLEY ACT

                                _______
                                

                 June  16, 2008.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

   Mr. Bingaman, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                         [To accompany S. 570]

    The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was 
referred the bill (S. 570) to designate additional National 
Forest System lands in the State of Virginia as wilderness or a 
wilderness study area, to designate the Kimberling Creek 
Potential Wilderness Area for eventual incorporation in the 
Kimberling Creek Wilderness, to establish the Seng Mountain and 
Bear Creek Scenic Areas, to provide for the development of 
trail plans for the wilderness areas and scenic areas, and for 
other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably 
thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill, as 
amended, do pass.
    The amendment is as follows:
    Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu 
thereof the following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 
2008''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
          (1) Scenic areas.--The term ``scenic areas'' means the Seng 
        Mountain National Scenic Area and the Bear Creek National 
        Scenic Area.
          (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
        Agriculture.

SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF ADDITIONAL NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND IN 
                    JEFFERSON NATIONAL FOREST, VIRGINIA, AS WILDERNESS 
                    OR A WILDERNESS STUDY AREA.

    (a) Designation of Wilderness.--Section 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 Area.--Section (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'.''.

SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF KIMBERLING CREEK POTENTIAL WILDERNESS AREA, 
                    JEFFERSON NATIONAL FOREST, VIRGINIA.

    (a) Designation.--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) Management.--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) Ecological Restoration.--
          (1) In general.--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) Limitation.--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) Wildness Designation.--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.

SEC. 5. SENG MOUNTAIN AND BEAR CREEK SCENIC AREAS, JEFFERSON NATIONAL 
                    FOREST, VIRGINIA.

    (a) Establishment.--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) Purposes.--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) Administration.--
          (1) In general.--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) Authorized uses.--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) Management Plan.--
      (1) In general.--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) Effect.--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) Roads.--
          (1) In general.--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) Limitation.--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) Timber Harvest.--
          (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and 
        (3), no harvesting of timber shall be allowed within the scenic 
        areas.
          (2) Exceptions.--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 use.--Firewood 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 Outbreaks.--The 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) Vegetation Management.--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) Motorized Vehicles.--
          (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        motorized vehicles shall not be allowed within the scenic 
        areas.
          (2) Exceptions.--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.--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) Water.--The Secretary shall administer the scenic areas in a 
manner that maintains and enhances water quality.
    (l) Withdrawal.--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 
        law.

SEC. 6. TRAIL PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Trail Plan.--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) Implementation Report.--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 Required.--The 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.

SEC. 7. MAPS AND BOUNDARY DESCRIPTIONS.

    (a) In General.--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) Force and Effect.--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 Description.--The 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) Conflict.--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.

SEC. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    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).

                                Purpose

    The purposes of S. 570 are to designate certain National 
Forest System lands in the State of Virginia as wilderness, a 
wilderness study area, and national scenic areas, and to 
provide for the development of trail plans for those areas.

                          Background and Need

    The Jefferson National Forest is composed of approximately 
725,000 acres located primarily in the Appalachian Mountains of 
southwestern Virginia. Currently, the Jefferson National Forest 
contains 11 wilderness areas totaling approximately 57,000 
acres. The Jefferson National Forest contains some of the best 
wildland recreation and habitat in Virginia, and is host to 
millions of visitors, hundreds of species of birds, and many 
dozens of species of mammals, fish, amphibians, and reptiles, 
It has an existing transportation network of nearly 3,000 miles 
of roads.
    The Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2008 would designate 
nearly 40,000 additional acres of wilderness and more than 
10,000 acres as National Scenic Areas. Specifically, the bill 
designates six new wilderness areas, additions to six existing 
wilderness areas, a wilderness study area, a potential 
wilderness area, and two National Scenic Areas, and directs the 
Forest Service to develop trail plans.

                          Legislative History

    S. 570 was introduced by Senators Warner and Webb on 
February 13, 2007, and the Subcommittee on Public Lands and 
Forests held a hearing on the bill on April 15, 2008. At its 
business meeting on May 7, 2008, the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources ordered S. 570 favorably reported, with an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute.
    A companion measure, H.R. 1011, was reported by the 
Committee on Natural Resources in the House of Representatives 
on September 4, 2007, with an amendment. It passed the House of 
Representatives by voice vote on October 23, 2007, with an 
additional amendment.

                        Committee Recommendation

    The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in open 
business session on May 7, 2008, by a voice vote of a quorum 
present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 570, if amended as 
described herein.

                          Committee Amendments

    The amendment recommended by the Committee includes a 
number of adjustments to the boundaries of the designated areas 
to improve manageability and to address a number of other 
concerns raised by the Administration and other interested 
parties. The amendment also provides additional flexibility 
regarding the development of a trail along the southern 
boundary of the Raccoon Branch Wilderness, permits seasonal 
motorized access on specific Forest Service roads within the 
scenic areas, and includes numerous technical and conforming 
changes.

                      Section-by-Section Analysis

    Section 1 contains the short title of the bill.
    Section 2 contains the definitions for the bill.
    Section 3 designates certain lands in the Jefferson 
National forest as Wilderness by amending section 1 of Public 
Law 100-326 (as amended by Public Law 106-471) to add the 
following twelve paragraphs, beginning with paragraph (9):

    Paragraph (9) designates approximately 3,743 acres 
(identified as ``Brush Mountain East'' on the referenced map) 
to be known as the Brush Mountain East Wilderness.
    Paragraph (10) designates approximately 4,794 acres 
(identified as ``Brush Mountain'' on the referenced map) to be 
known as the Brush Mountain Wilderness. A 500-foot utility 
corridor, which is generally described in the Jefferson 
National Forest's land and resource management plan and is 
generally depicted on the map, separates the Brush Mountain 
Wilderness from the Brush Mountain East Wilderness. The 
boundary of the wilderness also is described by other notations 
on the map, such as 100 feet from the center of an adjacent 
road that is depicted on the map.
    Paragraph (11) designates approximately 4,223 acres 
(identified as ``Raccoon Branch'' on the referenced map) to be 
known as the Raccoon Branch Wilderness. The Virginia Highlands 
Horse Trail is a popular trail in the area, and a portion of 
the Trail would be within the Raccoon Branch Wilderness. In its 
testimony before the Committee, the Forest Service stated that 
cooperative agreements and commitments from user groups to help 
maintain that portion of the trail would be necessary to 
protect the resources and to provide for continued equestrian 
use of the trail. It is the Committee's understanding that a 
number of local user groups have volunteered to do so and 
agrees that such cooperation will be helpful to the successful 
implementation of that aspect of the bill.
    Paragraph (12) designates approximately 3,270 acres 
(identified as ``Stone Mountain'' on the referenced map) to be 
known as the Stone Mountain Wilderness.
    Paragraph (13) designates approximately 8,470 acres 
(identified as ``Hunting Camp Creek'' on the referenced map) to 
be known as the Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness.
    Paragraph (14) designates approximately 3,291 acres 
(identified as ``Garden Mountain'' on the referenced map) to be 
known as the Garden Mountain Wilderness.
    Paragraph (15) designates approximately 5,476 acres 
(identified as ``Mountain Lake Addition A'', ``Mountain Lake 
Addition B'', and ``Mountain Lake Addition C'' on the 
referenced map) as an addition to the Mountain Lake Wilderness 
designated by section 2(6) of Public Law 98-586.
    Paragraph (16) designates approximately 308 acres 
(identified as ``Lewis Fork Addition'' on the referenced map) 
as an addition to the Lewis Fork Wilderness designated section 
2(3) of Public Law 98-586.
    Paragraph (17) designates approximately 1,845 acres 
(identified as ``Little Wilson Creek Addition A'', ``Little 
Wilson Creek Addition B'', and ``Little Wilson Creek Addition 
C'' on the referenced map) as an addition to the Little Wilson 
Creek Wilderness designated section 2(5) of Public Law 98-586.
    Paragraph (18) designates approximately 2,219 acres 
(identified as ``Shawvers Run Addition A'', ``Shawvers Run 
Addition B'', and ``Shawvers Run Addition C'' on the referenced 
map) as an addition to the Shawvers Run Wilderness designated 
by paragraph 4 of Public Law 1O0-326 (as amended by Public Law 
106-471).
    Paragraph (19) designates approximately 1,203 acres 
(identified as ``Peters Mountain Addition'' on the referenced 
map) as an addition to the Peters Mountain Wilderness 
designated by section 2(7) of Public Law 98-586.
    Paragraph (20) designates approximately 263 acres 
(identified as ``Kimberling Creek Addition A'' and ``Kimberling 
Creek Addition B'' on the referenced map) as an addition to the 
Kimberling Creek Wilderness designated by section 2(2) of 
Public Law 98-586.

    Subsection (b)--designates approximately 3,226 acres 
(identified as ``Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study'' on the 
referenced map) as the Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area by 
adding a new paragraph (5) to section 6(a) of Public Law 98-
586.
    Section 4(a) designates approximately 349 acres of the 
Jefferson National Forest (identified as ``Kimberling Creek 
Potential Wilderness'' on the referenced map) as a potential 
wilderness area to be added to the Kimberling Creek Wilderness 
designated by section 2(2) of Public Law 98-586.
    Subsection (b) directs the Secretary of Agriculture 
(hereafter referred to as ``Secretary'') to manage the 
potential wilderness area as wilderness, subject to valid 
existing rights and the provisions in subsection (c).
    Subsection (c) provides that the Secretary may use 
motorized equipment and mechanized transport in the potential 
wilderness area for ecological restoration until it is 
designated as wilderness. The use of motorized equipment and 
mechanized transport also is subject to the limitation that the 
Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, use the 
minimum tool or administrative practice necessary to accomplish 
ecological restoration with the least amount of adverse impact 
on wilderness character and resources.
    Subsection (d) states that the potential wilderness area 
shall be designated as wilderness either on 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 have been removed or five 
years after the date of the enactment, whichever is earlier.
    Section 5 designates (1) approximately 5,192 acres of the 
Jefferson National Forest (identified as ``Seng Mountain'' on 
the referenced map) as a National Scenic Area to be known as 
the Seng Mountain National Scenic Area and (2) approximately 
5,128 acres of the Jefferson National Forest (identified as 
``Bear Creek'' on the referenced map) as a National Scenic Area 
to be known as the Bear Creek National Scenic Area.
    Subsection (b) provides the purposes for which the National 
Scenic Areas are established.
    Subsection (c) directs the Secretary to administer the 
National Scenic Areas in accordance with this Act and the laws 
and regulations generally applicable to the National Forest 
System, but shall only allow such uses as will further the 
purposes established in subsection (b).
    Subsection (d) directs the Secretary to develop a 
management plan for the National Scenic Areas through an 
amendment to the Jefferson National Forest land and resource 
management plan within two years after the date of enactment. 
It also makes clear that this section does not require the 
Secretary to revise the entire land and resource management 
plan.
    Subsection (e) prohibits establishing or constructing roads 
within the National Scenic Areas, but provides that this 
prohibition shall not be construed to deny access to private 
land or interests in land within those National Scenic Areas.
    Subsection (f) prohibits the harvest of timber within the 
National Scenic Areas, except as necessary to control fire, 
provide for public safety or trail access, or control insect 
and disease outbreaks, and except for personal firewood use 
along perimeter roads, subject to any conditions the Secretary 
may impose.
    Subsection (g) states that insect and disease outbreaks 
within the National Scenic Areas may be controlled by the 
Secretary for the specified purposes.
    Subsection (h) states that the Secretary may engage in 
vegetation manipulation practices in the scenic areas to 
maintain the visual quality and wildlife clearings as they 
exist on the date of enactment.
    Subsection (i) prohibits motorized travel within the 
National Scenic Areas, except as authorized by the Secretary 
for necessary administrative use in furtherance of the purposes 
of this section, in support of wildlife management projects 
that exist on the date of enactment, and on specified roads 
during deer and bear hunting seasons.
    Subsection (j) states that wildfire suppression within the 
National Scenic Areas shall be conducted in a manner consistent 
with the purposes of the National Scenic Areas and using such 
means as the Secretary determines are appropriate.
    Subsection (k) directs the Secretary to administer the 
National Scenic Areas to maintain and enhance water quality.
    Subsection (l) withdraws all Federal land within the 
National Scenic Areas from location, entry, and patent under 
the mining laws and from leasing under the mineral and 
geothermal leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights.
    Section 6(a) directs the Secretary to establish a trail 
plan for hiking and equestrian trails in the new wilderness 
areas and additions designated by section 3(a), as well as 
nonmotorized recreation trails within the two National Scenic 
Areas established by section 5(a).
    Subsection (b) directs the Secretary to submit a report to 
Congress on the implementation of the trail plan within 2 years 
after the date of enactment.
    Subsection (c) directs the Secretary to develop a specific 
trail for non-motorized travel. The Virginia Highlands Horse 
Trail is a popular trail in the area enjoyed by hikers, 
equestrians, and trail cyclists. A portion of the Trail within 
the proposed Raccoon Branch Wilderness is already closed to 
bicycles and would remain closed upon designation of the 
wilderness. The development of this sustainable trail is 
intended to provide users with a continuous route along the 
southern boundary of the proposed Raccoon Branch Wilderness 
connecting to forest development road 49352.
    Section 7 directs the Secretary to file with the relevant 
congressional committees a map and legal description of each 
scenic area designated by section 5, each wilderness area 
designated or expanded by section 3(a), the wilderness study 
area designated by section 3(b), and the potential wilderness 
area designated by section 4(a).
    Subsection (b) states that the maps and legal descriptions 
shall have the same force and effect as if included in the Act, 
except that the Secretary may correct clerical and 
typographical errors in the maps and legal descriptions.
    Subsection (c) states that the maps and legal descriptions 
shall be on file and available for public inspection in the 
Office of the Chief of the Forest Service.
    Subsection (d) provides that if there is a conflict between 
one of the filed maps and the acreage estimates specified in 
the Act, then the map shall control.
    Section 8 clarifies that any reference in the Wilderness 
Act to the effective date of that Act shall be considered to be 
the date of enactment of this Act for purposes of administering 
the wilderness areas designated or expanded by section 3(a) and 
the potential wilderness area designated by section 4(a).

                   Cost and Budgetary Considerations

    The following estimate of costs of this measure has been 
provided by the Congressional Budget Office:

S. 570--Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2008

    S. 570 would designate 53,000 acres of federal lands within 
the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia as wilderness, 
wilderness study, potential wilderness, or scenic areas. Under 
the bill, the Forest Service would develop management plans for 
the proposed scenic areas within the next two years. Finally, 
the legislation would prohibit timber harvesting and new 
mineral leasing within the scenic areas.
    Based on information provided by the Forest Service, CBO 
estimates that implementing S. 570 would cost approximately $3 
million over the 2009-2013 period, assuming appropriation of 
the necessary amounts. Of this amount, $2 million would be used 
by the agency for planning, marking the newly designated areas, 
developing trails, and preparing legal descriptions and maps. 
The remaining $1 million would be spent over the next five 
years to administer the new areas.
    Designating federal lands as wilderness could result in 
forgone offsetting receipts if, under current law, those lands 
would generate income from activities such as timber harvesting 
and mining. According to the Forest Service, the lands affected 
by S. 570 currently generate no significant receipts but do 
contain timber valued at $2 million that may be harvested in 
the future. Such sales proceeds can be spent by the Forest 
Service without further appropriation. Thus, enacting this 
legislation could affect both offsetting receipts and direct 
spending, but CBO estimates that the net effect of any changes 
would be negligible over the next 10 years. Enacting the bill 
would not affect revenues.
    S. 570 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and 
would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
    On July 30, 2007, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 
1011, the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007, as ordered 
reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on June 
28, 2007. The two versions of the legislation are similar, and 
their estimated implementation costs are the same.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Tyler Kruzich. 
This estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                      Regulatory Impact Evaluation

    In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following 
evaluation of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in 
carrying out S. 570.
    The bill is not a regulatory measure in the sense of 
imposing Government-established standards or significant 
economic responsibilities on private individuals and 
businesses.
    No personal information would be collected in administering 
the program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal 
privacy.
    Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the 
enactment of S. 570, as ordered reported.

                   Congressionally Directed Spending

    S. 570, as reported, does not contain any congressionally 
directed spending items, limited tax benefits, or limited 
tariff benefits as defined in rule XLIV of the Standing Rules 
of the Senate.

                        Executive Communications

    The views of the Administration were included in testimony 
received by the Committee at a hearing on S. 570 and H.R. 1011 
on April 15, 2008.

Statement of Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, National Forest System, Forest 
Service, Department of Agriculture

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


    S. 570 would designate 27,817 acres in the Jefferson 
National Forest as new components of the National Wilderness 
Preservation System (NWPS). Specifically, the bill would 
designate the following areas: Brush Mountain East Wilderness, 
Brush Mountain Wilderness, Raccoon Branch Wilderness, Stone 
Mountain Wilderness, Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness, and Garden 
Mountain Wilderness. S. 570 would also designate 11,344 acres 
as additions to existing wilderness areas namely, Mountain Lake 
Wilderness, Lewis Fork Wilderness, Little Wilson Creek 
Wilderness, Shawvers Run Wilderness, Peters Mountain 
Wilderness, and Kimberling Creek Wilderness.
    S. 570 would designate 3,226 acres in the Jefferson 
National Forest as the ``Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study 
Area.'' The bill also would designate 349 acres depicted on the 
map as the ``Kimberling Creek Additions and Potential 
Wilderness Area'' as a potential wilderness area for eventual 
incorporation in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness. The bill 
would set forth requirements regarding ecological restoration 
within this area and would provide for the designation of the 
area as a wilderness within five years.
    In addition, the bill would designate 11,583 acres of the 
Seng Mountain and Bear Creek areas as national scenic areas for 
purposes of ensuring the protection and preservation of scenic 
quality, water quality, natural characteristics, and water 
resources; protecting wildlife and fish habitat; protecting 
areas that may develop characteristics of old-growth forests; 
and providing a variety of recreation opportunities.
    Finally the bill would direct the Secretary of Agriculture 
to develop a management plan for the designated national scenic 
areas. The Secretary also would be required to develop a trail 
plan for hiking and equestrian trails on lands designated as 
wilderness by this Act and to develop a plan for non-motorized 
recreation trails within the Seng Mountain and Bear Creek 
National Scenic Areas. The bill also would direct the Secretary 
to develop a sustainable non-motorized trail in Smyth County, 
Virginia.
    We recognize and commend the delegation and the Committee 
for its collaborative approach and local involvement that has 
contributed to the development of this bill. The Department 
supports several of the designations included in the bill but 
we object to other designations and to mandatory planning and 
construction requirements. The Department would like to work 
with the Committee to offer suggestions which we think will 
improve S. 570.


                          wilderness proposals


    During the development or revision of a forest land and 
resource management plan (LRMP), a national forest conducts an 
evaluation of potential wilderness or wilderness study areas 
that satisfies the definition of wilderness found in section 
2(c) of the Wilderness Act of 1964. On National Forest System 
(NFS) lands in the Eastern United States (east of the 100th 
meridian) the criteria for evaluating potential wilderness 
recognizes that much, if not all of the land, shows signs of 
human activity and modification. The Record of Decision for the 
revised Jefferson National Forest LRMP, signed on January 15, 
2004, was developed over an 11-year period with extensive 
public involvement. It contains recommendations for 25,200 
acres of wilderness study areas, including new wilderness study 
areas and additions to existing areas designated as wilderness.
    The Department supports the provisions in S. 570 that would 
designate new components of the NWPS that are consistent with 
the Jefferson National Forest LRMP recommendations for 
wilderness study. These areas are the proposed Garden Mountain, 
Hunting Creek Camp, and Stone Mountain Wilderness areas.
    The Department supports the designation of additions to 
existing wilderness areas for the following areas: Kimberling 
Creek A and B Additions, Lewis Fork Addition, Little Wilson 
Creek Addition, Mountain Lake A and C Additions, Peters 
Mountain Addition, and Shawvers Run A Addition.
    The Department does not oppose the designation of the 
``Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area,'' the Mountain Lake B 
Addition, and Shawvers Run Additions B and C areas. However, we 
have concerns about the suitability of the Lynn Camp Creek 
Wilderness Study Area as a component of the NWPS due to its 
small size, configuration, and manageability (due to 
outstanding mineral rights). The Department is willing to work 
with the committee to look at other options for protection of 
this area. We also have concerns about the suitability of the 
Mountain Lake B Addition and the Shawvers Run Additions B and C 
as components of the NWPS due to their size and configuration. 
An additional concern with the Mountain Lake Addition B is that 
it contains a 59-acre private inholding which could require 
associated road access in the future if the parcel is 
developed.
    The Department does not support the designation as 
``potential wilderness'' for the 349-acre portion of the 
Kimberling Creek area. The designation ``Potential Wilderness'' 
is not a designation referenced in the Wilderness Act of 1964. 
A subsequent designation of wilderness following a fixed time 
period and associated compulsory changes in conditions can 
serve to limit the Secretary's discretion in the allocation of 
scarce resources and other management actions associated with 
the administration of the NFS and the NWPS. We use the term, 
potential wilderness, in our wilderness evaluation process 
under our LRMP efforts to evaluate areas as potential additions 
to the NWPS. The Kimberling Creek addition was recently 
acquired as NFS land and in its current condition does not 
contain the basic natural characteristics that make it suitable 
for wilderness due to an extensive road network. We would 
recommend that the Committee consider allowing the Secretary to 
continue the current management prescription for this area 
which is Dispersed Recreation-Unsuitable. This management 
emphasis provides for a variety of dispersed recreation uses 
with minimal vegetation management and would allow use of 
motorized and mechanized equipment for needed road and trail 
rehabilitation work. We plan to develop rehabilitation plans 
and implement these plans within the next 5 to 10 years. While 
this area was not recommended as a potential wilderness area in 
the LRMP, future wilderness designation of this area could be 
reevaluated after restoration activities occur.
    The Department does not support wilderness designation for 
the Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East areas. These areas 
lie on the north side of Brush Mountain and are separated by a 
345 kilovolt powerline corridor. They were not recommended for 
wilderness study in LRMP. They contain fire-dependent forest 
habitat which make up approximately 50 percent of these two 
areas. Additionally, the areas are largely surrounded by 
private lands. Wildland urban interface (subdivisions and 
housing developments) exists on the north and south boundaries. 
If designated as wilderness, our ability to utilize prescribed 
fire for the maintenance of southern yellow pine forest 
communities and to conduct hazardous fuels reduction projects 
would be hampered in these interface areas. Our ability to use 
prescribed fire is compromised when we cannot mechanically 
construct firelines to better control fire management 
activities. Additionally, the narrow width of these areas and 
the bisecting powerline corridor within these areas detract 
from their naturalness and offer few opportunities for 
solitude. We have also recently identified a need for a small 
boundary change in the proposed wilderness area along the 
northwest side of Brush Mountain East. An electric distribution 
line is located along Craig Creek and the current boundary 
includes some of the line within the proposed wilderness. If 
the Committee proceeds with wilderness designation, we would 
like to work with the Committee to adjust the boundary to 
exclude this existing line.
    The Department could support the designation of the Raccoon 
Branch area as a wilderness area if agreements are reached in 
resolving trail maintenance issues in the area and if the 
requirement contained in section 5(d) of the bill for a 
sustainable trail is amended to provide more flexibility for 
any future alternative trail locations. Nearly six miles of the 
Virginia Highlands Horse Trail (VHHT) and the Dickey Knob Trail 
traverse this area. These trails are heavily used by both 
equestrians and mountain bikers. Currently only four of the six 
miles of the VHHT in the Raccoon Branch area are open to 
mountain bike use due to the steep nature of the trail where it 
enter the west end of Raccoon Branch. Wilderness designation 
would eliminate mountain bike use within the area. While 
equestrian use is compatible with wilderness designation, heavy 
use and ground conditions along the VHHT necessitate extensive 
maintenance to sustain the integrity of the trail and protect 
watershed and other resources values. To maintain the trail to 
the standards that are needed without mechanized or motorized 
equipment will require cooperative agreements and commitments 
from user groups to help in maintenance to protect the 
resources and to provide for continued equestrian use of the 
trail. We would like to work with the Committee to adjust the 
boundary as now proposed in the bill. The adjustment would 
exclude the section of VHHT from the western boundary to its 
intersection with Hickory Ridge Trail #4516 which we believe 
would alleviate much of the concern with maintaining the trail 
for equestrian use.


                     national scenic area proposals


    Section 4 of S. 570 would establish Seng Mountain and Bear 
Creek National Scenic Areas (NSAs). In August 2007, the 
President signed Executive Order (E.O.) No. 13443, 
``Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation.'' 
This E.O. requires Federal land management agencies to ``. . . 
Manage wildlife and wildlife habitats on public lands in a 
manner that expands and enhances hunting opportunities . . .'' 
Forest Service direction on compliance with the E.O. is being 
developed. Portions of both the Seng Mountain and Bear Creek 
NSAs are managed under the LRMP to manage black bear habitat. 
We would like to work with the Committee on language that would 
allow a low level of habitat management for black bear that 
would be consistent with the E.O. and compatible with the 
purposes for which the scenic areas are being established.
    The proposed Seng Mountain NSA is within the 
congressionally designated Mount Rogers National Recreation 
Area (NRA). The Mount Rogers NRA is managed to provide public 
outdoor recreation benefits and the continued use by a 
diversity of recreation uses. The Seng Mountain area contains a 
motorized trail, the Barton Gap Trail #4624. Motorized use of 
the trail would be prohibited under S. 570. The Barton Gap 
Trail is one of only five designated motorcycle trails on the 
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests and is an 
important part of the diversity of recreation opportunities 
that we provide the visitors that use the Forest and the Mount 
Rogers NRA. The Department would like to work with the 
Committee to resolve any confusion resulting from the 
overlapping designations for the Seng Mountain area. The 
Department recommends that the overlapping designation be 
clarified and continued motorized use on the Barton Gap Trail 
be allowed.


                        trail development plans


    S. 570 would require the Secretary to establish a trail 
plan to develop hiking and equestrian trails on lands 
designated as wilderness by this bill. The designated lands 
would be administered in accordance with the Wilderness Act. 
The Forest Service already addresses trail management and 
planning standards within the LRMP planning process. The 
Department considers the requirement to develop additional 
trail plans to be unnecessary.
    S. 570 also would require the Secretary to develop a 
sustainable trail to provide a continuous connection for non-
motorized travel between State Route (SR) 650 and Forest 
Development Road 4018. This trail would be along SR 16. We 
believe that it would be costly and difficult to provide a 
trail in this general location that would be safe for both 
equestrians and mountain bikers. The existing gravel road (SR 
650) is winding and narrow and contains several blind curves. 
It receives high local use and is the main access road for 
campers and recreational vehicles to enter Hurricane 
Campground. Further, a potential connector trail for horses and 
bikes from SR 650 along the route of the old Marion-Rye Valley 
rail bed would require crossing SR 16, a 55-mph State highway 
that receives heavy commercial use, in a location with poor 
sight distance. Trail construction along the stream would be 
unlikely to meet our Forest standards for riparian protection. 
The bill language that specifies the terminus of the connector 
route limits our ability to locate and construct a trail that 
will meet Forest Service standards for safety and in a manner 
that is environmentally appropriate. We would like to work with 
the Committee on language that would allow us to construct 
trail facilities with adequate consideration for alternatives, 
priorities, and costs.


                      house amendment to h.r. 1011


    The Department had the opportunity to provide testimony on 
this bill to the House Natural Resources Committee on two 
separate occasions, May and September of 2007. H.R. 1011, as 
passed by the House, contains the following amendments to the 
bill as introduced.
    Section 2 was amended to adjust the acreage of the Brush 
Mountain East Wilderness from 3,769 acres to 3,743 acres to 
provide for a setback of 100 feet along the 345 kilovolt 
powerline corridor. The Department supports this acreage 
adjustment, but we remain concerned designating this area as 
wilderness for the reasons stated earlier in this testimony.
    Section 4 was amended to adjust the acreage of the Seng 
Mountain National Scenic Area from 6,455 to 5,192 acres to 
provide for continued motorized use of the Barton Gap Trail and 
Black Bear habitat management. The Department supports this 
acreage adjustment but would like to work with the Committee to 
refine the boundaries of the designation further.
    Section 4 was amended to authorize motorized travel on 
Forest Development Road 6261 in the Bear Creek NSA during bear 
and deer hunting seasons. In testimony before the House 
Committee on Natural Resources in May 2007, the Department 
expressed concerns regarding the proposed Bear Creek NSA. 
Specifically, we were concerned about the limitation on our 
ability to improve black bear habitat and to provide 
opportunities for hunting as a result of this designation and 
mandated closure of the road. The Department indicated it could 
support the Bear Creek NSA designation if allowances were made 
for seasonal motorized use of the road during hunting season. 
The Department supports this amendment since it provides these 
allowances.
    Section 5 was amended to allow motorized access for 
emergency purposes involving the health and safety of persons, 
including search and rescue efforts and responses to an Amber 
Alert. The Department considers this addition to be unnecessary 
as these actions are currently allowed in wilderness under 
section 4(c) of the Wilderness Act of 1964 and Forest Service 
policy, and recommends its deletion from the bill. Section 5 
also was amended to provide more flexibility for the location 
of a non-motorized trail located along the southern boundary of 
the Raccoon Branch Wilderness. The Department supports this 
part of the amendment.

                        Changes in Existing Law

    In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by 
the bill S. 570 as ordered reported, are shown as follows 
(existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black 
brackets, new matter is printed in italic, existing law in 
which no change is proposed is shown in roman):

                          A. Public Law 98-586


 AN ACT To designate certain national forest system lands in the State 
           of Virginia as wilderness, and for other purposes

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this 
Act may be cited the ``Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984''.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                 DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS

    Sec. 6. (a) In furtherance of the purposes of the 
Wilderness Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall review, as 
to their suitability for preservation as wilderness, the 
following lands in the State of Virginia:
         (1) [certain] Certain lands in the George Washington 
        National Forest, which comprise approximately nine 
        thousand three hundred acres, as generally depicted on 
        a map entitled ``Rough Mountain Wilderness Study Area-
        Proposed'', dated January 1984, and which shall be 
        known as the Rough Mountain Wilderness. Study Area[;].
          (2) [certain] Certain lands in the George Washington 
        National Forest, which comprise approximately five 
        thousand six hundred acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Rich Hole Wilderness Study Area--
        Proposed'', dated January 1984, and which shall be 
        known as the Rich Hole Wilderness Study Area[;].
          (3) [certain] Certain lands in the Jefferson National 
        Forest, which comprise approximately five thousand 
        eight hundred and seventy-five acres, as generally 
        depicted on a map entitled ``Barbours Creek Wilderness 
        Study Area--Proposed'', dated February 1984, and which 
        shall be known as the Barbours Creek Wilderness Study 
        Area[; and].
          (4) [certain] Certain lands in the Jefferson National 
        Forest, which comprise approximately four thousand 
        three hundred acres, as generally depicted on a map 
        entitled ``Shawvers Run Wilderness Study Area--
        Proposed'', dated February 1984, and which shall be 
        known as the Shawvers Run Wilderness Study Area.
          (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''.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                         B. Public Law 100-326


AN ACT To designate certain national forest system lands in the States 
           of Virginia and West Virginia as wilderness areas

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

SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS.

    In furtherance of the purposes of the Wilderness Act (16 
U.S.C. 1131-1136), the following lands in the States of 
Virginia and West Virginia are hereby designated as wilderness 
and, therefore, as components of the National Wilderness 
Preservation [System--] System:
          (1) [certain] Certain lands in the George Washington 
        National Forest, which comprise approximately 9,300 
        acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled ``Rough 
        Mountain Wilderness Area--Proposed'', dated June 1987, 
        and which shall be known as the Rough Mountain 
        Wilderness Area[;].
          (2) [certain] Certain lands in the George Washington 
        National Forest, which comprise approximately 6,450 
        acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled ``Rich 
        Hole Wilderness Area--Proposed'', dated June 1987, and 
        which shall be known as the Rich Hole Wilderness 
        Area[;].
          (3) [certain] Certain lands in the Jefferson National 
        Forest, and George Washington National Forest which 
        comprise approximately 5,700 acres, as generally 
        depicted on a map entitled ``Barbours Creek Wilderness 
        Area--Proposed'', dated June 1987, and which shall be 
        known as the Barbours Creek Wilderness Area[;].
          (4) [certain] Certain lands in the Jefferson National 
        Forest and George Washington National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 3,665 acres, as generally 
        depicted on a map entitled ``Shawvers Run Wilderness 
        Area--Proposed'', dated October 1987, and which shall 
        be known as the Shawvers Run WIlderness Area[;].
          (5) [certain] Certain lands in the Jefferson National 
        Forest, which comprise approximately 72 acres, as 
        generally depicted on a map entitled ``Lewis Fork 
        Wilderness Area Addition--Proposed'', dated June 1987, 
        and which shall be known as the Lewis Fork Wilderness 
        Area[;].
          (6) [certain] Certain lands in the Jefferson National 
        Forest, which comprise approximately 2,500 acres, as 
        generally depicted on a map entitled ``Mountain Lake 
        Wilderness Area Addition--Proposed'', dated June 1987, 
        and which shall be known as the Mountain Lake 
        Wilderness Area[;].
          (7) [certain] Certain lands in the George Washington 
        National Forest, which comprise approximately 5,963 
        acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled ``The 
        Priest Wilderness Study Area'', dated June 6, 2000, and 
        which shall be known as the Priest Wilderness Area[; 
        and].
          (8) [certain] Certain lands in the George Washington 
        National Forest, which comprise approximately 4,608 
        acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled ``The 
        Three Ridges Wilderness Study Area'', dated June 6, 
        2000, and which shall be known as the Three Ridges 
        Wilderness Area.
          (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).

                                  
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