Virginia Wilderness News

For centuries, the American spirit of exploration and discovery has led us to experience the majesty of our Nation's wilderness.  From raging rivers to serene prairies, from mountain peaks slicing the skyline to forests teeming with life, our Nation's landscapes have provided wonder, inspiration, and strength to all Americans.  Many sites continue to hold historical, cultural, and religious significance for Indian tribes, the original stewards of this continent.  We must continue to preserve and protect these scenic places and the life that inhabits them so they may be rediscovered and a

In launching his America’s Great Outdoors Initiative in April, President Obama said that “even in times of crisis, we’re called to take the long view to preserve our national heritage — because in doing so we fulfill one of the responsibilities that falls to all of us as Americans, and as inhabitants of this same small planet.”

The President set as his first goal for the initiative “to reconnect Americans, especially children, to America's rivers and waterways, landscapes of national significance, ranches, farms and forests, great parks, and coasts and beaches.”

Did you know that wilderness boosts residential property values? This is one of the interesting facts from our recent statement on the economic benefits of wilderness for the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.

The Wilderness Society's hearing testimony explains the important role that public lands play for local economies. Federally designated wilderness areas provide incredibly valuable services-like increasing local income and employment, boosting recreation and tourism, and naturally filtering our air and drinking water.

On March 30, 2009 President Obama enacted the Public Lands Management Act. His signature secured lasting protection for over 53,000 acres of the Jefferson National Forest. The Ridge and Valley Act created six new Wilderness areas, two National Scenic Areas, and enlarged six already established Wilderness Areas.

Raising awareness about the need to protect some nearby wild places, while also giving people an excuse to get out and explore those areas is a bright idea shared by at least two state wilderness groups-the Montana Wilderness Association (MWA) and the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance (NMWA). Both groups publish annual guides to great hikes throughout the state.

The state of Colorado is attempting to institute a roadless forest management rule that could set a dangerous precedent for the nation's roadless forests, potentially paving the way for fewer forest protections nationwide.

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a revised rule that would exempt the state's 4.2 million acres of roadless forests from the 2001 national Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which protects 58 million acres of the nation's most pristine forests.

Roanoke, VA - The UDSA Forest Service has issued the Notice of Intent (NOI) in the Federal Register to prepare the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Revised Plan for the George Washington National Forest.  The Forest Service, together with the public, began revising the George Washington Forest Plan in 2007.  The federal regulations which guide the planning process have changed;  however we will continue to build on the issues and information discussed in our previous meetings.  The NOI begins a 60-day comment period in which the public has an opportunity to further refine issue

USDA FOREST SERVICE WILL HOST PUBLIC EVENTS ON DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW PLANNING RULE

Wildlife, wildfire suppression, climate change research and other natural resource programs get a much-needed boost in funding in the 2010 Interior Appropriations bill. The 16.8 percent increase is a welcome change after eight years of inadequate funding that had led to the shutdown of some National Wildlife Refuges and research programs, as well as shortfalls in funding for firefighting on public lands. 

The U.S. Forest Service has proposed timber sales and other logging and road building plans that threaten thousands of acres in the Southern Appalachians. Especially at risk are mature, hardwood forests that contain

• Unbroken wildlife habitat;
• Headwater streams that feed drinking water supplies;
• And places beloved by hikers, anglers, and others who enjoy backcountry recreation.

SELC is challenging these projects to protect ecological and scenic treasures that are vital to the Southeast's tourism industry and to our region's natural heritage.