S. 1680: Virginia Wilderness Additions Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Virginia Wilderness Additions Act of 2025, aims to officially designate additional areas within the George Washington National Forest as protected wilderness. Specifically, the legislation includes two main additions:

1. Rough Mountain Addition

The bill proposes to add approximately 1,000 acres of land to the Rough Mountain Wilderness area. This area is part of the George Washington National Forest and is specifically indicated on a map associated with the forest's management plan. The addition will protect the environmental and recreational values of this land.

2. Rich Hole Addition

The bill also includes an area of about 4,600 acres that is designated as a potential wilderness area, which is intended to be incorporated into the existing Rich Hole Wilderness Area. This designation means that the land will be preserved and managed under the principles of the Wilderness Act, which focuses on protecting natural ecosystems and limiting human impact.

The process for officially designating the potential wilderness area will occur either when the Secretary of Agriculture publishes a notice in the Federal Register confirming that specific management activities have been completed or five years after the bill is enacted, whichever comes first.

Management Guidelines

The Secretary of Agriculture is responsible for managing the newly designated areas in accordance with the Wilderness Act, ensuring that they maintain their natural conditions. However, there are allowances for certain activities, such as improving water quality and aquatic passage. These activities may use motorized equipment and mechanized transport, but only until the potential wilderness area is finalized as part of the Rich Hole Wilderness Area. The Secretary must also ensure that any such activities have the least possible impact on the wilderness character and resources.

Environmental Goals

The overall goal of the bill is to enhance the natural landscapes and ecosystems of the George Washington National Forest, contributing to the preservation of biodiversity and the quality of water resources in the area. By designating these lands as wilderness, the legislation aims to ensure that they are protected for future generations to enjoy.

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