Claire Mitzel, Staunton News Leader
Published 6:30 a.m. ET June 27, 2019
The supervisors also approved a resolution in support of a proposal to designate George Washington National Forest land on Shenandoah Mountain a National Scenic Area.
The proposal would offer the 90,000 acres across Augusta, Rockingham and Highland counties permanent protection from industrial development and fracking, Lynn Cameron told the supervisors Monday during their staff briefing.
Cameron is co-chair of Friends of Shenandoah Mountain, a group working to preserve the wilderness and promote active management. She said she has spent more than a decade working on the proposal.
Surrounded by close to 15 supporters, she said on Wednesday that the approval was a "big step forward."
"I'm just thrilled the county has taken a position on this," Cameron said.
The designation requires federal legislation from Congress, but Cameron said every bit of support helps.
"(Legislators) would not want to introduce legislation without (localities') support," she said.
She said Augusta County is the first county to support the proposal. Friends of Shenandoah Mountain is working to get support from Rockingham and Highland counties, too.
She said the National Scenic Area designation has other benefits, too: clean water, increased tourism to the region, flood protection and outdoor recreation.
There would be four embedded wilderness areas:
Cameron said that 400 businesses and organizations throughout the region, state, nation and world have endorsed the proposal. George Washington National Forest's management plan also recommends the proposal, she said.
Pastures Magisterial District Supervisor Pam Carter said on Monday during the staff briefing that she was impressed with the cross-section of businesses and organizations who supported the resolution.
There are currently seven National Scenic Areas in the U.S., with three in Virginia, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
"This fits with all the other good things we have going on," Cameron said of Augusta County.
Published 6:30 a.m. ET June 27, 2019
The supervisors also approved a resolution in support of a proposal to designate George Washington National Forest land on Shenandoah Mountain a National Scenic Area.
The proposal would offer the 90,000 acres across Augusta, Rockingham and Highland counties permanent protection from industrial development and fracking, Lynn Cameron told the supervisors Monday during their staff briefing.
Cameron is co-chair of Friends of Shenandoah Mountain, a group working to preserve the wilderness and promote active management. She said she has spent more than a decade working on the proposal.
Surrounded by close to 15 supporters, she said on Wednesday that the approval was a "big step forward."
"I'm just thrilled the county has taken a position on this," Cameron said.
The designation requires federal legislation from Congress, but Cameron said every bit of support helps.
"(Legislators) would not want to introduce legislation without (localities') support," she said.
She said Augusta County is the first county to support the proposal. Friends of Shenandoah Mountain is working to get support from Rockingham and Highland counties, too.
She said the National Scenic Area designation has other benefits, too: clean water, increased tourism to the region, flood protection and outdoor recreation.
There would be four embedded wilderness areas:
- Skidmore Fork
- Little River
- Lynn Hollow
- Bald Ridge Addition to Ramseys Draft Wilderness
Cameron said that 400 businesses and organizations throughout the region, state, nation and world have endorsed the proposal. George Washington National Forest's management plan also recommends the proposal, she said.
Pastures Magisterial District Supervisor Pam Carter said on Monday during the staff briefing that she was impressed with the cross-section of businesses and organizations who supported the resolution.
There are currently seven National Scenic Areas in the U.S., with three in Virginia, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
"This fits with all the other good things we have going on," Cameron said of Augusta County.
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