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Wilderness in Virginia

Virginia Ridge and Valley Act

For nearly three years now wilderness supporters of all kinds including Sierra Club members, sportsman, local governments and many of Virginia’s representatives in Washington have worked hard to craft a wilderness bill that will protect our state’s wild legacy in Southwest Virginia. The Virginia Ridge and Valley Act will protect nearly 43,000 acres of the Jefferson National Forest as wilderness and nearly 12,000 acres as National Scenic Area.

Senator Warner and Representative Boucher will sponsor the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007, and we expect it to be introduced by the end of February. The time has come for this bill to make a hasty journey to law. The time has come for all us to leave an enduring wild legacy for our children and their children.

You can take action by contacting Senator Warner and Representative Boucher and thanking them for sponsoring The Virginia Ridge and Valley Act.

More importantly, You can take action by contacting Senator Webb and your Representative in the House and let them know that you support the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act, that this piece of legislation has been held up for too long, that now is the time for all of us to protect our state’s rich natural heritage and that you would like them to sign on and co-sponsor The Virginia Ridge and Valley.

Why support the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act?

• The U.S. Forest Service and/or the Board of Supervisors of the county in which the area is located have endorsed each of the new Wilderness and National Scenic designations.

• Virginia Wilderness makes good economic sense. The Virginia Tourism Corporation has endorsed the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act.

• Wilderness provides outstanding recreation opportunities. Hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping, hiking, swimming, canoeing and lounging are all appropriate and permitted in wilderness.

• Wilderness areas are nature’s water filters. Wilderness Areas help ensure the continued availability of clean safe water for our communities, and help prevent flooding.

• Wilderness protects wildlife habitat, which is crucial to the preservation of Virginia’s native birds, plants and animals.

• In wilderness we can find solitude, escape the day-to-day grind and enjoy some quite, peaceful contemplation. It would be nice to save some of it for future generations.