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Protect the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains
The House will vote soon on legislation that would permanently protect wilderness areas in the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains of Virginia. This is a rare chance to win permanent protection for these last natural areas.
A phone call would be best, but if you can't call, email your member of Congress by using our letter below. As always, for more information, click on "Tell me More," below.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Vote for Virginia Wilderness
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
Please support the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act H.R. 1011 so that future generations can enjoy the many attributes of the Jefferson National Forest we enjoy today.
Our national forests provide habitat for many kinds of wildlife, outstanding recreational opportunities, and the sources of much of our clean water. The Virginia Ridge and Valley Act would protect these benefits, and this natural legacy, for future generations by establishing new wilderness and national scenic areas on the Jefferson National Forest.
All of the areas proposed for designation as wilderness or as national scenic areas in the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act are supported by the local county boards of supervisors or were recommended for protection by the U.S. Forest Service.
The Virginia Ridge and Valley Act was recently approved by the House Natural Resources Committee. I understand that this legislation will soon come before the full House, and I urge you to approve this important legislation (H.R. 1011) for Virginia and for all Americans who cherish our nation's forests.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
October 22, 2007
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About the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007, H.R. 1011:
- Protects nearly 43,000 acres of the Jefferson National Forest in southwestern Virginia as wilderness or wilderness study areas and nearly 12,000 acres as scenic areas.
- Each of the new Wilderness and National Scenic Area designations has been endorsed by either the U.S. Forest Service and/or the Board of Supervisors of the County in which the area is located.
- Has broad bipartisan support including a majority of the Virginia Congressional delegation, the current and past Governors of Virginia, the Virginia Tourism Corporation, local elected officials, a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, faith groups, local, state and national conservation organizations, local businesses, the Garden Club of Virginia, and the International Mountain Bicycling Association.
- Creates two new National Scenic Areas to protect almost 12,000 acres of Virginia national forests.
- Designates as additions to existing wilderness areas – Mountain Lake Wilderness (5,476 acres), Lewis Fork Wilderness (308 acres), Little Wilson Creek Wilderness (1,845 acres), Shawvers Run Wilderness (2,249 acres), Peters Mountain Wilderness (1,203 acres) and Kimberling Creek Wilderness and Potential Wilderness (612 acres).
- The proposed Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area will be studied by the Forest Service for possible designation by Congress as wilderness. Until Congress acts, this area will be managed as wilderness.
- Recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, picnicking, backpacking, bird watching, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, spelunking, rock-climbing and many other outdoor activities would be continued and encouraged in the new Wilderness Areas.
- Wilderness designation protects habitat for bear, song birds and wild turkey and includes many stands of old growth.
- Located near the growing population centers of southwestern Virginia, the wilderness areas provide opportunities for solitude, wilderness recreation and spiritual renewal in these forests that are our heritage from the past.
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