§545a Establishment of Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area

Summary

Creates the Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area inside the George Washington National Forest in Virginia. It covers approximately 7,580 acres shown on a map dated June 21, 1993. As soon as possible after August 26, 1994, the Secretary of Agriculture must send a map and boundary description to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the House Committee on Agriculture. That map and description have the same legal effect as if written into the law. The map will be kept for public view in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, and if the acreage number and the map disagree, the map controls. The Secretary must manage the area under sections 545 and 545a and the usual National Forest rules, and must prepare a management plan as an amendment to the George Washington National Forest plan within three years after August 26, 1994. No new permanent roads may be built after August 26, 1994, except to reach private lands. No regular timber cutting is allowed except for controlling fire, insects, disease, protecting public safety, or keeping trails open; limited vegetation work for wildlife clearings and views is allowed and firewood for personal use may be taken along perimeter roads under conditions the Secretary sets. Motor vehicles may use State Route 635 and, under conditions, Forest Development Road 51; otherwise motorized travel is banned except for official use or short-term wildlife project routes. Fires must be fought in ways that fit the area’s purposes. Insect and disease outbreaks may be treated to protect scenery, trees, visitors, or nearby private land. Management must maintain or improve water quality. Federal lands in the area are withdrawn from mining and mineral or geothermal leasing laws, subject to any valid existing rights.