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119-s-1681119th Congress

Shenandoah Mountain Act

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

In Committee

Summary

Creates the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area to protect about 92,562 acres of National Forest land in Virginia and safeguard scenic values, water, wildlife habitat, and recreation while adding multiple wilderness additions. This proposal focuses on long-term conservation of high-elevation habitats and improving nonmotorized recreation options.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

New Shenandoah Mountain protections

If enacted, the bill would create the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area on about 92,562 acres of National Forest land. The Secretary of Agriculture would manage the area. It would add five new Wilderness areas totaling about 33,857 acres. The bill would direct the Secretary to protect scenic views, water quality, habitats above 3,000 feet (including the Cow Knob salamander), and potential old-growth forests. The Secretary would file maps and boundary descriptions with Congress and make them public, and the filed maps would control.

Limits on timber harvests

If enacted, the bill would generally ban commercial timber harvesting inside the National Scenic Area except for narrow needs like fire control, public safety, trail access, overlooks, or to fight insect and disease outbreaks. The Secretary could allow limited personal firewood cutting along roads under conditions. Vegetation management would be allowed to maintain existing wildlife clearings and to create up to 100 acres of new small clearings. Prescribed burns and wildfire suppression would be allowed if consistent with the area's purposes, and native pest control would favor biological methods.

Ban on mining and energy development

If enacted, the bill would withdraw federal lands in the National Scenic Area from public land disposal, mining claims, mineral and geothermal leasing, wind and solar development, and the designation of new utility corridors or communications sites. This withdrawal would be subject to valid existing rights. The withdrawal would not deny access to private land inside the area.

Trails, roads, and access rules

If enacted, the bill would let existing recreation uses continue and allow maintenance and new nonmotorized trails. The Secretary must make a trail plan for NSA lands not in Wilderness within 2 years and report to Congress. New trailhead parking would be allowed only along National Forest System roads. Establishing the area would not close existing National Forest System roads shown on the filed map, but no new roads could be built inside the National Scenic Area after enactment. Motorized travel would be allowed only on roads outside Wilderness Areas. The bill would bar creating buffer zones based only on sights or sounds inside the area.

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.

View on Congress.gov
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