The Virginia Wilderness Additions Act - Lower Cowpasture Project
All of our hard work over the past decade with the George Washington National Forest (GWNF) Stakeholder Collaborative has paid off. The Virginia Wilderness Additions Act, which includes a 4,600-acre addition to the Rich Hole Wilderness and a 1,000-acre addition to the Rough Mountain Wilderness, in southeastern Bath County, will create a nearly contiguous Wilderness block of almost 21,000 acres, which will be one of the largest well-protected areas on the GWNF.
These Wilderness Areas will provide an excellent refuge for wildlife, especially black bear; protect water quality in the pristine Cowpasture River, one of the cleanest and healthiest rivers in the Southeast; and provide other scenic and recreational benefits.
These Wilderness Areas will provide an excellent refuge for wildlife, especially black bear; protect water quality in the pristine Cowpasture River, one of the cleanest and healthiest rivers in the Southeast; and provide other scenic and recreational benefits.
Cowpasture River by Brad Striebig
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Black bear by Brad Striebig
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Kates Mountain Clover by Steven David Johnson
Rich Hole and Rough Mountain Wilderness Areas
Located in the rugged Allegheny Mountains in western Virginia, the existing Rich Hole Wilderness (6,450 acres) and Rough Mountain Wilderness (9,300 acres) span Rough Mountain, Mill Mountain, and Brushy Mountain. Though nearly contiguous, Rich Hole and Rough Mountain Wilderness areas are quite different.
Rough Mountain, with its monolithic peak, Griffith Knob, rises sharply from the banks of the Cowpasture River to dominate the surrounding landscape. The dry south-facing slopes of Rough Mountain are home to a 3,000-acre Central Appalachian Shale Barren. This globally uncommon natural community hosts several rare and endangered plants.
To the east, the lush Rich Hole Wilderness protects the watershed for the rhododendron-lined North Branch of Simpson Creek, a native trout stream. In the upper watershed is a 1,337-acre tract of old-growth cove hardwood forest that was designated in 1974 as the Rich Hole National Natural Landmark (NNL), one of only 10 NNLs in Virginia. Rich Hole was named for the deep, rich soils in the natural bowls of the upper watershed. Rich Hole Trail follows the stream up to the cove hardwoods and offers outstanding scenic views from rock outcrops high on Brushy Mountain.
Both Wilderness areas support a dense population of black bear and provide outstanding opportunities for solitude.
Located in the rugged Allegheny Mountains in western Virginia, the existing Rich Hole Wilderness (6,450 acres) and Rough Mountain Wilderness (9,300 acres) span Rough Mountain, Mill Mountain, and Brushy Mountain. Though nearly contiguous, Rich Hole and Rough Mountain Wilderness areas are quite different.
Rough Mountain, with its monolithic peak, Griffith Knob, rises sharply from the banks of the Cowpasture River to dominate the surrounding landscape. The dry south-facing slopes of Rough Mountain are home to a 3,000-acre Central Appalachian Shale Barren. This globally uncommon natural community hosts several rare and endangered plants.
To the east, the lush Rich Hole Wilderness protects the watershed for the rhododendron-lined North Branch of Simpson Creek, a native trout stream. In the upper watershed is a 1,337-acre tract of old-growth cove hardwood forest that was designated in 1974 as the Rich Hole National Natural Landmark (NNL), one of only 10 NNLs in Virginia. Rich Hole was named for the deep, rich soils in the natural bowls of the upper watershed. Rich Hole Trail follows the stream up to the cove hardwoods and offers outstanding scenic views from rock outcrops high on Brushy Mountain.
Both Wilderness areas support a dense population of black bear and provide outstanding opportunities for solitude.
Photo by Dave Weldenken
Supporters Include:
• The U.S. Forest Service recommended that these areas be designated as Wilderness in the 2014 GWNF Revised Forest Plan.
• The GWNF Stakeholder Collaborative, a diverse group representing a range of interests, including timber producers, game managers, and hunting, fishing, conservation, and recreation groups, supports this proposal.
Why Wilderness?
Virginia is blessed with a rich heritage of wildlands, and the GWNF harbors some of the most unspoiled of these special places. Here forest users can find clear mountain streams, century-old trees, songbirds, breathtaking views, and places to find solitude and spiritual renewal.
Wilderness designation is the strongest, most lasting protection for these areas. Permanently protecting these steep mountains and headwater streams will:
· protect unique Central Appalachian Shale Barren plant communities and old growth cove hardwoods;
· support the local tourism economy by attracting outdoor enthusiasts and visitors who enjoy scenic beauty.
Wilderness designation offers these benefits at no cost to taxpayers.
What Activities are Allowed in Wilderness?
Many forms of non-mechanized recreation are enjoyed in Wilderness, including:
To preserve the wild character of these special areas, timber harvest, road construction, and other development are not allowed in Wilderness. The use of motorized equipment, motor vehicles, or other mechanical transport is normally not allowed, except in certain circumstances like control of fire, insects, and diseases, and search and rescue operations.
Current uses and access to the proposed Wilderness areas will not change.
• The U.S. Forest Service recommended that these areas be designated as Wilderness in the 2014 GWNF Revised Forest Plan.
• The GWNF Stakeholder Collaborative, a diverse group representing a range of interests, including timber producers, game managers, and hunting, fishing, conservation, and recreation groups, supports this proposal.
Why Wilderness?
Virginia is blessed with a rich heritage of wildlands, and the GWNF harbors some of the most unspoiled of these special places. Here forest users can find clear mountain streams, century-old trees, songbirds, breathtaking views, and places to find solitude and spiritual renewal.
Wilderness designation is the strongest, most lasting protection for these areas. Permanently protecting these steep mountains and headwater streams will:
- · help maintain exceptional water quality in the Cowpasture River, one of Virginia’s cleanest and healthiest rivers;
· protect unique Central Appalachian Shale Barren plant communities and old growth cove hardwoods;
· support the local tourism economy by attracting outdoor enthusiasts and visitors who enjoy scenic beauty.
Wilderness designation offers these benefits at no cost to taxpayers.
What Activities are Allowed in Wilderness?
Many forms of non-mechanized recreation are enjoyed in Wilderness, including:
- hunting
- fishing
- hiking
- camping
- horseback riding
- paddling
- birdwatching
- finding solitude
To preserve the wild character of these special areas, timber harvest, road construction, and other development are not allowed in Wilderness. The use of motorized equipment, motor vehicles, or other mechanical transport is normally not allowed, except in certain circumstances like control of fire, insects, and diseases, and search and rescue operations.
Current uses and access to the proposed Wilderness areas will not change.
“Wilderness is a part of a forest mosaic, and provides a level of protection for interior forest that is difficult to achieve otherwise…. By protecting these cores and allowing active management outside of them, including timber harvesting, we believe that we are creating the best of both worlds– space for both young and old forest habitat in the same landscape protects the forest, wildlife, and forest user interests.”
“The crystal clear Cowpasture River flows through some of western Virginia's most scenic, rural landscapes. Expanding Rich Hole and Rough Mountain Wilderness areas will help ensure the Cowpasture remains clean and healthy into the future for all who enjoy it.”
“These wilderness designations will preserve these beautiful wild areas of the George Washington National Forest in perpetuity,” said Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner. “The good-faith work that went into this bill by local stakeholders shows that land-use decisions need not be adversarial and that we can provide for sustainable use of National Forest lands for many purposes while also preserving Virginia’s most treasured spaces. I’m thankful for all the local officials and conservationists who’ve worked together over the years to create this plan, and we’ll continue working to ensure this bill is signed into law.”
- GWNF Stakeholder Collaborative
“The crystal clear Cowpasture River flows through some of western Virginia's most scenic, rural landscapes. Expanding Rich Hole and Rough Mountain Wilderness areas will help ensure the Cowpasture remains clean and healthy into the future for all who enjoy it.”
- Richard Brooks, President, Cowpasture River Preservation Association
“These wilderness designations will preserve these beautiful wild areas of the George Washington National Forest in perpetuity,” said Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner. “The good-faith work that went into this bill by local stakeholders shows that land-use decisions need not be adversarial and that we can provide for sustainable use of National Forest lands for many purposes while also preserving Virginia’s most treasured spaces. I’m thankful for all the local officials and conservationists who’ve worked together over the years to create this plan, and we’ll continue working to ensure this bill is signed into law.”
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