Frequently Asked Questions About Wilderness

What is a Wilderness Area? [1]
What is a National Scenic Area? [2]
Where are existing Wilderness Areas in Virginia? [3]
Does wilderness designation lock natural forests into single use opportunities? [4]
Are fishing and hunting allowed in wilderness? [5]
Can previously logged areas be designated wilderness? [6]
Are motorized vehicles allowed in wilderness areas? [7]
Are roads permitted in wilderness areas? [8]
What is a roadless area? [9]
Is there a minimum size for wilderness areas? [10]
Does wilderness designation restrict the use of private land? [11]
May hiking trails be maintained? [12]
How do wilderness bills get passed? [13]
List of readings and references on Wilderness [14]
"The Virginia Wilderness Committee: History and Accomplishments [15]" [16]

What is a Wilderness Area?

The Wilderness Act [17] defines wilderness as "as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, or man himself is a visitor who does not remain." The Act further defines a wilderness area as "land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation,... which (1) generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable; (2) has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation; (3) has at least 5,000 acres of land or is of sufficient size as to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition; and (4) may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational or historical value."

What is a National Scenic Area?

Also established through an Act of Congress, this designation protects the scenic, cultural, historic, recreational and natural resources in specific areas, while allowing compatible uses. Typically, an NSA is protected from roadbuilding, logging, energy development, and other activities that would mar the natural character and recreational value of the area, while allowing motor vehicles and mountain bikes (unlike a wilderness area).

Where are existing Wilderness Areas in Virginia?

As of 2009, there are eighteen Wilderness Areas in Virginia. To get more information about Wilderness Areas in Virginia and across the country, go to the wilderness.net website [18] and click on FIND A WILDERNESS.

Does wilderness designation lock natural forests into single use opportunities?

Not at all. The five prime uses designated for national forests are water conservation, wildlife, recreation, grazing and timber. Of these five uses, wilderness serves the first three and accommodates the fourth through a grandfather provision. Only timber harvest is prohibited. The accommodation of multiple use is well stated in a 1980 Virginia Wilderness Committee article, authored by Ernie Dickerman:

Some people, because commercial logging is prohibited in wilderness, claim that wilderness is "single use" rather than "multiple use and without looking into the matter further , oppose wilderness. As a matter of fact, wilderness is recognized as one of the multiple uses in the Multiple Use and Sustained Yield Act. Further, of the principal multiple uses enumerated in that Act, wilderness very effectively serves the conservation of water and soil; provides undisturbed habitat for many species of wildlife; recreation is a prime use; and grazing (also called "forage") may be permitted under the Wilderness Act. While the harvesting of timber is definitely prohibited, it is the living forest-not the clear cut or heavily cut over land-which holds back the water and controls erosion; which purifies air; which provides essential habitat necessary for food, shelter and breeding of specific species of animals and birds; and which is beauty an inspiration for mankind. Wilderness is multiple use.

Are fishing and hunting allowed in wilderness?

Yes. If state and federal law otherwise permit hunting or fishing within a candidate area, the designation of wilderness does not affect its availability for these uses. Therefore, hunting and fishing continue to be allowed in Virginia's National Forests after an area is designated wilderness.

Can previously logged areas be designated wilderness?

Yes. Wilderness is defined as an area of federal land "retaining its primeval character and influence...which generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable." This language was drafted particularly to provide for the preservation of wild land in the East. Thus, lands which have been impacted by man but which are returning to their natural state are eligible for designation. Consequently, evidence of prior timber harvests and dirt roads do not automatically disqualify candidate sites. The key is that the imprint of man's prior work be substantially unnoticeable.

Are motorized vehicles allowed in wilderness areas?

Generally, no. Section 4c of the Act states that except as specifically provided for in the Act, "no use of motorized vehicles, motorized equipment or motor boats, no landing of aircraft, and no other form of mechanical transport" are permitted within a wilderness area. The Act does provide exceptions where the use of aircraft or motor boats was established prior to wilderness designation and further authorizes motorized vehicles as may be necessary in the control of fire, insects, and diseases, and in emergencies involving the health and safety of persons. Generally, however, motorized vehicles and mechanized transportation are prohibited.

Are roads permitted in wilderness areas?

Generally, no. Section 4c states that there shall be "no permanent road within any wilderness area...(and) there shall be no temporary road." Once again, the Act makes a few limited exceptions. Roads may be maintained for the minimum necessary administration of the area for the purposes of the Act, including facilitating measures required in emergencies and for protecting the public health and safety. Roads also are authorized to service private property surrounded by wilderness areas. In general, however, roads are not permitted.

What is a "roadless area"?

Roadless lands in the National Forest are generally areas that are free of roads and development. The "Inventoried Roadless Area" (IRA) was originally defined and protected by Presidential mandate, and exemplifies the difficulties associated with administrative designation. Over the years, the Roadless Rule of 2001, which prohibits new road-building in roadless areas, has been overturned and reinstated by multiple Courts. As of November 2011, the rule is in place after being upheld by the 10th Circuit Court in October, 2011 (read more here). For additional information and history of roadless areas, visit the Wilderness Society's page on Roadless Forests [19].

Is there a minimum size for wilderness areas?

No. The Act states that an area be five thousand acres or of sufficient size to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition. There are many congressionally designated wilderness areas of less than 5,000 acres, including five presently in Virginia.

Does wilderness designation restrict the use of private land?

No. Only federal lands can be designated as wilderness areas. In addition, the Act has provisions to ensure that private land, "landlocked" by wilderness sites, remains accessible to use by the owner.

May hiking trails be maintained?

Yes, with hand tools. Existing foot and horse trails and trail shelters are generally deemed consistent with the purposes of the Act and may be maintained. But new trails and shelters may not be built because they would constitute development within the designated wilderness, contrary to the Act.

How do wilderness bills get passed?

The steps in the passage of a wilderness bill are explained here [20].

Readings and References on Wilderness

Wilderness in America (Historical and national significance)

Burkes, David Clarke. (ed). 1994. Place of the wild: A wildlands anthology.

Emerson, R. W. 1944. Nature.

Frome, Michael. 1997. Battle for the Wilderness.

Harvey, Mark. 2005. Wilderness Forever: Howard Zahniser and the path to the Wilderness Act. Seattle: Uinversity of Washington Press.

Leopold, Aldo. 1949. Sand County Almanac (essays "Land Ethic" and "Thinking Like a Mountain").

Marshall, Robert. 3^rd edition 2005. Alaska Wilderness: Exploring the Central Brooks Range.

Muir, John. 2011. Wilderness Essays.

Nash, Roderick. 2001. Wilderness and the American Mind.

Scott, Doug. 2004. The Enduring Wilderness

Snyder, Gary. 1990. The Practice of the Wild. New York: North Point Press.

Thoreau, Henry David. "The Value of Wilderness" essay in American Environmentalism: Reading in Conservation History by Nash, Roderick 1990.

Thoreau, Henry David. 1890. Walden

Wilderness in Virginia (Local inspiration)

Bolgiano, Chris. 1998. The Appalachian Forest

Brown, Margaret Lynn. 2001. The Wild East: A Biography of the Great Smoky Mountains

Carroll, Steven and Miller, Mark. 2002. Wild Virginia: A Guide to Thirty Roadless Recreation Areas Including Shenandoah National Park

Carroll, Steven and Miller, Mark. 1995. Wilderness Virginia: A Guide to Hiking Virginia's National Forest Wilderness Areas

Camuto, Christopher. 2004. Hunting from Home: A Year Afield in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Ernie Dickerman, 1910-1998: A Tribute published by The Wilderness Society, 1999.

Miller, Mark. 2008. Virginia's Mountain Treasures: The Unprotected Wildlands of the George Washington National Forest published by The Wilderness Society.

Nash, Steven. 1999. Blue Ridge 2020, An Owners Manual

Wuertz-Schaefer, Karin. 2001. Hiking Virginia's National Forests

Link to the Eastern Wilderness Act [21]
Link to legislation for 1984 wilderness bill (Ramseys Draft and Saint Mary's) [22]