Virginia Governor Mark Warner added his name to the growing list of elected officials that support the Ridge and Valley Wilderness and National Scenic Area Act of 2004.
In a June 9, 2004, letter to Senator John Warner and Rep. Rick Boucher, Governor Warner said, “I applaud your efforts to protect the scenic, recreation, and wildlife resources of the national forests of southwest Virginia. They certainly are key assets for fostering a growing tourism economy in the region, from Blacksburg to Big Stone Gap.”
The Governor’s letter concludes, “I fully support HR 4202 and S 2342 and urge you and your colleagues to make adoption of this important legislation a priority for this session of Congress.”
The Virginia Ridge and Valley wilderness bill is also endorsed by an array of local governments and elected officials, southwest Virginia businesses, the Virginia Tourism Corporation, local and national conservation groups and other groups such as the International Mountain Biking Association.
Background
Virginia legislators, local and national environmental groups, recreational organizations, the Forest Service and local elected bodies have been working collaboratively for the last few years to put together a proposal to designate new Wilderness and Scenic Areas in the Jefferson National Forest in southwestern Virginia.
On April 22, Sen. John Warner (R-VA) and Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA) introduced the Virginia Ridge and Valley Wilderness and National Scenic Area Act of 2004 (S. 2342/H.R. 4202). The legislation will create four new Wilderness Areas, expand five existing Wilderness areas and designate two National Scenic Areas in Virginia’s Jefferson National Forest. Representatives Tom Davis (R-VA) and Jim Moran (D-VA) are original co-sponsors of the House bill.
For More Information
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- Mark Miller, Virginia Wilderness Committee
- Larry Romans, The Wilderness Society/Wilderness Support Center, 202-547-0538
