H.R. 6365: Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act

This bill, known as the **Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act**, aims to facilitate the creation of a right-of-way on certain National Park Service land in Virginia to provide an emergency exit route. Here’s a breakdown of its main components:

Purpose of the Bill

The primary purpose of the legislation is to require the Secretary of the Interior to approve a specific route for emergency access, particularly necessary in case of fire emergencies or other crises in the area around Wintergreen Resort, which is located near the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Amendments to Existing Laws

The bill proposes amendments to existing statutes related to rights-of-way on Federal land. Specifically, it modifies provisions of the law governing how the Secretary of the Interior handles requests for right-of-way:

• It changes the language from "may issue" to "shall issue" an emergency right-of-way, indicating a more definitive obligation for the Secretary.
• It stipulates that the right-of-way shall be issued if the Secretary certifies that the following conditions have been met:
• An evaluation of alternatives to the right-of-way that do not require crossing Federal land has been conducted.
• An analysis of fire ecology has been completed relative to the proposed route.
• Any necessary environmental reviews have been fulfilled according to the National Environmental Policy Act and other relevant regulations.

Map Reference

The proposed egress route is illustrated on a specific map titled “Blue Ridge Parkway, Proposed Wintergreen Emergency Egress Near Milepost 9.6.” This map is referenced in the legislation to provide a visual understanding of where the right-of-way would be established.

Implications of the Bill

By enacting this legislation, the government intends to improve safety measures for residents and visitors in the Wintergreen area during potential emergencies. The certification process outlined in the bill aims to ensure that emergency egress does not inadvertently harm the environment, and feasible alternatives have been explored.

Relevant Companies

• None found