S. 3313: Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act

This bill, known as the Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act, aims to facilitate the establishment of a right-of-way on certain lands managed by the National Park Service in Virginia. The main provisions of the bill are as follows:

Purpose of the Act

The purpose of the Act is to allow for an emergency exit route through specific federal land to ensure safety and accessibility during emergencies, particularly fires.

Key Provisions

• The Secretary of the Interior is mandated to issue a right-of-way for an emergency exit depicted on a specified map.
• The right-of-way must be located near Milepost 9.6 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, as indicated on the map "Proposed Wintergreen Emergency Egress Near Milepost 9.6."

Conditions for Issuing the Right-of-Way

The Secretary of the Interior is required to certify that certain evaluations and analyses have been completed before the right-of-way can be issued:

• Evaluation of Alternatives: An evaluation must assess alternatives to the right-of-way that do not involve crossing federal land. This includes an examination of whether existing trails can be converted into roads.
• Fire Ecology Analysis: An analysis regarding expected fire behavior in the event of a fire emergency must be completed in relation to the proposed right-of-way.
• Compliance Reviews: All necessary reviews related to the right-of-way must be conducted according to:
  • The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).
  • Relevant sections of the U.S. Code pertaining to federal lands.

Overall Impact

This Act aims to enhance public safety by ensuring that there is an effective and accessible emergency exit route in areas prone to natural hazards, particularly in the context of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Wintergreen area in Virginia.

Relevant Companies

• None found