FALL NEWSLETTER 2017
New Bill to Expand Rich Hole and Rough Mountain Wilderness Areas
“Taking care of our Nation’s outdoor resources is good for our economy and good for our environment. Land disputes may sometimes be difficult, but the example of the GW Forest Stakeholder Collaborative proves they don’t have to be. When everyone comes to the table and invests necessary time, we can find common ground.” -Tim Kaine
The Virginia Wilderness Committee is proud to support S. 1975, the Virginia Wilderness Additions Act of 2017, a new bill introduced by Senator Tim Kaine and co-sponsored by Senator Mark Warner. This bill would protect 5,600 acres of Virginia’s George Washington National Forest (GWNF) as Wilderness. Expanding the already established Rich Hole and Rough Mountain Wildernesses will create a nearly unbroken wild area of over 20,000 acres, thereby creating one of the largest well-protected areas in the GWNF. The legislation mirrors the recommendations made in the U.S. Forest Service’s Revised Forest Plan. These additions are located in scenic, southeastern Bath County.
The existing Rich Hole Wilderness, which includes Brushy Mountain and Mill Mountain, currently spans 6,450 acres; the bill proposes to expand this by approximately 4,600 acres. The Rough Mountain Wilderness is comprised of 9,300 acres. S.1975 would add an additional 1,000 acres by extending the Wilderness boundary farther north on Rough Mountain. As Wilderness designation is the strongest, most lasting protection for these areas, this bill would further the legacy of these wild lands for future generations to come. Protecting these steep mountains and their headwater streams will have numerous additional benefits, as well. Some of these include aiding in the prevention of soil erosion, thereby helping to maintain the exceptional water quality found in the Cowpasture River. The designation preserves critical habitat for wildlife that thrives in large, intact forested areas. Wilderness designation supports local economies by attracting outdoor enthusiasts and protecting the existing scenic backdrop for local communities.
Virginia Wilderness Committee Executive Director Mark Miller stated, "The introduction of this bill is the direct result of years of hard work by the George Washington National Forest Stakeholder Collaborative. The Collaborative includes representatives from a variety of interests, including the timber industry, wildlife managers, sportsman’s groups, forestry consultants, conservation organizations, and recreational groups, all of whom are working together to meet several different goals. This expanded Wilderness area will benefit wildlife, water quality, recreation, and local tourism and is a win-win for all those stakeholders involved."
These Wilderness additions were recommended by the U.S. Forest Service in its 2014 management plan. Both the GWNF Stakeholder Collaborative and Bath County Board of Supervisors, where these areas are located, support this bill.
Formed to offer input on the 2014 forest plan, the GWNF Stakeholder Collaborative reached consensus on a set of recommendations for protection of core, intact areas of the forest, such as these Wilderness areas, and for increased forest management in other, more accessible areas on the periphery of the forest. The collaborative continues to work together and with the U.S. Forest Service and other interested parties towards those goals.
A Forest Service project called the Lower Cowpasture Restoration and Management Project, which is now being carried out, is an example of that collaborative work. The project, located on GWNF lands in the lower Cowpasture River watershed, provides active management in the more accessible areas of the national forest, including: timber harvest, forest restoration, prescribed fire, stream restoration, and an American Chestnut restoration site. This balanced, collaborative approach is a win-win for management, recreation, restoration and Wilderness.
The Virginia Wilderness Committee is proud to support S. 1975, the Virginia Wilderness Additions Act of 2017, a new bill introduced by Senator Tim Kaine and co-sponsored by Senator Mark Warner. This bill would protect 5,600 acres of Virginia’s George Washington National Forest (GWNF) as Wilderness. Expanding the already established Rich Hole and Rough Mountain Wildernesses will create a nearly unbroken wild area of over 20,000 acres, thereby creating one of the largest well-protected areas in the GWNF. The legislation mirrors the recommendations made in the U.S. Forest Service’s Revised Forest Plan. These additions are located in scenic, southeastern Bath County.
The existing Rich Hole Wilderness, which includes Brushy Mountain and Mill Mountain, currently spans 6,450 acres; the bill proposes to expand this by approximately 4,600 acres. The Rough Mountain Wilderness is comprised of 9,300 acres. S.1975 would add an additional 1,000 acres by extending the Wilderness boundary farther north on Rough Mountain. As Wilderness designation is the strongest, most lasting protection for these areas, this bill would further the legacy of these wild lands for future generations to come. Protecting these steep mountains and their headwater streams will have numerous additional benefits, as well. Some of these include aiding in the prevention of soil erosion, thereby helping to maintain the exceptional water quality found in the Cowpasture River. The designation preserves critical habitat for wildlife that thrives in large, intact forested areas. Wilderness designation supports local economies by attracting outdoor enthusiasts and protecting the existing scenic backdrop for local communities.
Virginia Wilderness Committee Executive Director Mark Miller stated, "The introduction of this bill is the direct result of years of hard work by the George Washington National Forest Stakeholder Collaborative. The Collaborative includes representatives from a variety of interests, including the timber industry, wildlife managers, sportsman’s groups, forestry consultants, conservation organizations, and recreational groups, all of whom are working together to meet several different goals. This expanded Wilderness area will benefit wildlife, water quality, recreation, and local tourism and is a win-win for all those stakeholders involved."
These Wilderness additions were recommended by the U.S. Forest Service in its 2014 management plan. Both the GWNF Stakeholder Collaborative and Bath County Board of Supervisors, where these areas are located, support this bill.
Formed to offer input on the 2014 forest plan, the GWNF Stakeholder Collaborative reached consensus on a set of recommendations for protection of core, intact areas of the forest, such as these Wilderness areas, and for increased forest management in other, more accessible areas on the periphery of the forest. The collaborative continues to work together and with the U.S. Forest Service and other interested parties towards those goals.
A Forest Service project called the Lower Cowpasture Restoration and Management Project, which is now being carried out, is an example of that collaborative work. The project, located on GWNF lands in the lower Cowpasture River watershed, provides active management in the more accessible areas of the national forest, including: timber harvest, forest restoration, prescribed fire, stream restoration, and an American Chestnut restoration site. This balanced, collaborative approach is a win-win for management, recreation, restoration and Wilderness.
With gratitude. . .
VWC encourages you to take the time to write Senators Kaine and Warner for their continued investment and support in protecting wild areas. Wilderness designation is a lasting accomplishment, but does not come without the tireless work of those committed to furthering its cause. We also extend thanks to all of you who continue to support VWC and its mission in preserving Wilderness for generations to come. Letters to Senators Kaine and Warner can be mailed to the addresses below:
Senator Tim Kaine Senator Mark Warner
231 Russell Senate Office Building 703 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, DC 20510
Senator Tim Kaine Senator Mark Warner
231 Russell Senate Office Building 703 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, DC 20510
WOW, 2017 has been a great year
VWC Successes of 2017
2018 could be an even bigger year!
Thank you for your continued contributions; your generous donations make our work possible.
- Facilitated bill S.1975, the Virginia Wilderness Additions Act of 2017, introduced by Senator Tim Kaine and co-sponsored by Senator Mark Warner.
- Placed new signs along the Rich Hole Wilderness boundary.
- Planted 600 American Chestnut trees in the Lower Cowpasture large landscape-scale project.
- Participated in over a dozen presentations and festivals where we educated the public about the many benefits of Wilderness.
- Kept up the momentum on the Shenandoah Mountain campaign by acquiring numerous new endorsements for the proposed National Scenic Area and embedded Wilderness.
2018 could be an even bigger year!
Thank you for your continued contributions; your generous donations make our work possible.