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119-s-1680119th Congress

Virginia Wilderness Additions Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

In Committee

Summary

Adds new wilderness acreage inside the George Washington National Forest. This bill would add roughly 1,000 acres to the Rough Mountain Wilderness and designate about 4,600 acres near Rich Hole as potential wilderness. It sets how the Forest Service will manage the potential area and allows limited restoration work before the area becomes full wilderness.

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  • Public and recreation: The potential Rich Hole area would be managed under Wilderness Act rules, so recreation and access would follow wilderness standards while it remains potential wilderness.
  • Restoration and operations: The Secretary could use motorized equipment and mechanized transport to carry out water-quality and aquatic passage work described in a 2015 Forest Service decision, but must use the minimum tools needed to limit harm to wilderness character.
  • Timing and incorporation: The potential Rich Hole area would become formal wilderness when the Secretary publishes a notice that the allowed water-quality activities are complete or five years after enactment, whichever comes first.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Add land to Rough Mountain Wilderness

If enacted, the bill would add about 1,000 acres to the Rough Mountain Wilderness in the George Washington National Forest. The land is shown as the Rough Mountain Addition on the March 4, 2014 map. The added area would be managed as designated wilderness upon enactment, protecting habitat and recreation and limiting development and motorized uses.

Rich Hole area: temporary work then protection

If enacted, the bill would set aside about 4,600 acres in the George Washington National Forest as the Rich Hole Addition. The Secretary would manage the area under the Wilderness Act but could temporarily use motorized equipment and mechanized transport to carry out water-quality and fish-passage work described in the Forest Service Decision Notice (December 2015). The land would be incorporated into the Rich Hole Wilderness when the Secretary publishes a Federal Register notice that the work is done or five years after enactment, whichever is earlier. The Secretary would have to use the minimum tools needed to avoid harm to wilderness character.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

VA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 5/8/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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