,,ii #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #ciaa ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #bc1 #bjbb,mr4 ,kaine 7for himself and ,mr4 ,warner7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry ,a ,,bill ,to establish the ,shenandoah ,mountain ,national ,scenic ,area in the ,state of ,virginia1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,shenandoah ,mountain ,act of #bjbb4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,national ,scenic ,area 7,a7 ,in general ,the term ,national ,scenic ,area means the ,shenandoah ,mountain ,national ,scenic ,area established by section #c7;a74 7,b7 ,inclusions ,the term ,national ,scenic ,area includes-- 7i7 any ,national ,forest ,system land within the boundary of the ,national ,scenic ,area that is administered as part of the ,national ,scenic ,area2 and 7ii7 any ,national ,forest ,system land embedded in the ,national ,scenic ,area that is administered as a component of the ,national ,wilderness ,preservation ,system under the amendments made by section #d4 7#b7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,agriculture1 acting through the ,chief of the ,forest ,service4 7#c7 ,state ,the term ,state means the ,state of ,virginia4 7#d7 ,wilderness area ,the term ,wilderness ,area means a wilderness area designated by paragraphs 7#ba7 through 7#be7 of section #a of ,public ,law #ajj-cbf 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aacb note2 #ajb ,stat4 #ehd2 #aad ,stat4 #bjeg2 #abc ,stat4 #ajjb7 7as added by section #d74 #c4 ,establishment of the ,shenandoah ,mountain ,national ,scenic ,area 7a7 ,establishment ,subject to valid existing rights1 there is established the ,shenandoah ,mountain ,national ,scenic ,area1 consisting of approximately #ib1ddi acres of ,national ,forest ,system land in the ,george ,washington ,national ,forest1 as generally depicted on the map filed under section #e7;a77#a74 7b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of the ,national ,scenic ,area are-- 7#a7 to ensure the protection and preservation of the scenic quality1 water quality1 natural characteristics1 and water resources of the ,national ,scenic ,area2 7#b7 to protect wildlife1 fish1 and plant habitat in the ,national ,scenic ,area2 7#c7 to protect outstanding natural biological values and habitat for plant and animal species along the ,shenandoah ,mountain crest above #c1jjj feet elevation1 including the ,cow ,knob salamander2 7#d7 to protect forests in the ,national ,scenic ,area that may develop characteristics of old-growth forests2 7#e7 to protect the ,wilderness ,areas2 and 7#f7 to provide for a variety of1 and improve existing1 recreation opportunities in the ,national ,scenic ,area in a manner consistent with the purposes of the ,national ,scenic ,area described in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#e74 7c7 ,administration 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary shall administer the ,national ,scenic ,area in accordance with-- 7,a7 this section2 and 7,b7 the laws 7including regulations7 generally applicable to the ,national ,forest ,system4 7#b7 ,exception ,subject to valid existing rights1 the ,secretary shall administer the ,wilderness ,areas in accordance with the ,wilderness ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aaca et seq47 and any other laws applicable to the ,wilderness ,areas1 except that any reference in that ,act to the effective date of that ,act shall be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this ,act for purposes of administering the ,wilderness ,areas4 7#c7 ,effect2 conflicts 7,a7 ,effect ,the establishment of the ,national ,scenic ,area shall not affect the administration of the ,wilderness ,areas4 7,b7 ,conflicts ,in the case of any conflict between the laws applicable to the ,wilderness ,areas1 the ,wilderness ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aaca et seq47 shall control4 7#d7 ,no buffer zones 7,a7 ,in general ,nothing in this section creates a protective perimeter or buffer zone around the ,national ,scenic ,area or a ,wilderness ,area4 7,b7 ,activities outside national scenic area or wilderness areas ,the fact that an activity or use on land outside the ,national ,scenic ,area or a ,wilderness ,area can be seen or heard within the ,national ,scenic ,area or ,wilderness ,area shall not preclude the activity or use outside the boundaries of the ,national ,scenic ,area or ,wilderness ,area4 7d7 ,recreational uses 7#a7 ,in general ,except as otherwise provided in this section or under applicable law1 the ,secretary shall authorize the continuation of1 or seek to improve1 authorized recreational uses of the ,national ,scenic ,area in existence on the date of enactment of this ,act4 7#b7 ,effect ,nothing in this section interferes with the authority of the ,secretary-- 7,a7 to maintain or improve nonmotorized trails and recreation sites within the ,national ,scenic ,area2 7,b7 to construct new nonmotorized trails and recreation sites within the ,national ,scenic ,area2 7,c7 to adjust recreational uses within the ,national ,scenic ,area for reasons of sound resource management or public safety2 and 7,d7 to approve and issue or deny special use permits in connection with recreation within the ,national ,scenic ,area4 7#c7 ,requirement ,recreation within the ,national ,scenic ,area shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the purposes of the ,national ,scenic ,area described in subsection 7b74 7e7 ,trail plan 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall develop a trail plan for ,national ,forest ,system land in the ,national ,scenic ,area that is not a ,wilderness ,area1 in order to maintain1 improve1 and develop nonmotorized recreation trails on the ,national ,forest ,system land in a manner consistent with the purposes of the ,national ,scenic ,area described in subsection 7b74 7#b7 ,potential inclusion ,the ,secretary may address in the trail plan developed under paragraph 7#a7 ,national ,forest ,system land that is near1 but not within the boundary of1 the ,national ,scenic ,area4 7#c7 ,consultation ,in developing the trail plan under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall consult with interested parties1 including members of the public4 7#d7 ,requirements ,the trail plan developed under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 promote sustainable trail management that protects natural resources and provides diverse1 high-quality1 and safe recreation opportunities1 which may include loop trails for all nonmotorized uses2 7,b7 consider natural resource protection1 trail sustainability1 and trail maintenance needs as primary factors in determining the location or relocation of trails2 and 7,c7 develop a trail outside of the ,little ,river ,wilderness ,area in the area of the ,tillman ,road corridor 7along ,forest ,system road #aja7 to connect the ,wolf ,ridge ,trail parking area to the ,wild ,oak ,national ,recreation ,trail1 as generally depicted on the applicable map filed under section #e7;a77#b74 7#e7 ,implementation report ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report that describes the implementation of the trail plan developed under paragraph 7#a71 including the identification of the trail described in paragraph 7#d77;,c7 and any other priority trails identified for development4 7f7 ,roads 7#a7 ,in general ,the establishment of the ,national ,scenic ,area shall not-- 7,a7 result in the closure of any ,national ,forest ,system roads1 as generally depicted on the map filed under section #e7;a77#a72 or 7,b7 modify public access within the ,national ,scenic ,area4 7#b7 ,no new roads ,no new roads shall be constructed in the ,national ,scenic ,area after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7#c7 ,effect ,nothing in this section-- 7,a7 denies any owner of private land or an interest in private land that is located within the ,national ,scenic ,area the right to access the private land2 7,b7 alters the authority of the ,secretary to open or close roads in the ,national ,scenic ,area in existence on the date of enactment of this ,act in furtherance of the purposes of this ,act2 or 7,c7 alters the authority of the ,state-- 7i7 to maintain the access road to the crest of ,shenandoah ,mountain 7,route #ibd72 or 7ii7 to realign the access road described in clause 7i7 if necessary for reasons of sound resource management or public safety4 7#d7 ,parking areas 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 the reconstruction1 minor relocation1 and construction of parking areas in the ,national ,scenic ,area is authorized in a manner consistent with the purposes of the ,national ,scenic ,area described in subsection 7b74 7,b7 ,limitation ,additional trailhead parking areas authorized in the ,national ,scenic ,area under subparagraph 7,a7 may only be constructed along ,national ,forest ,system roads4 7g7 ,motorized vehicles ,motorized travel shall only be allowed on roads within the portions of the ,national ,scenic ,area that are not ,wilderness ,areas1 in a manner consistent with subsection 7f74 7h7 ,water ,the ,secretary shall administer the ,national ,scenic ,area in a manner that maintains and enhances water quality4 7i7 ,water impoundments ,the establishment of the ,national ,scenic ,area shall not prohibit-- 7#a7 the operation1 maintenance1 or improvement of1 or access to1 dams1 reservoirs1 or related infrastructure in existence on the date of enactment of this ,act1 as generally depicted on the map filed under section #e7;a77#a72 or 7#b7 the establishment of new dams1 reservoirs1 or related infrastructure if necessary for municipal use4 7j7 ,timber harvest 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 no harvesting of timber shall be allowed within the ,national ,scenic ,area4 7#b7 ,exceptions 7,a7 ,necessary harvesting ,the ,secretary may authorize harvesting of timber in the ,national ,scenic ,area if the ,secretary determines that the harvesting is necessary-- 7i7 to control fire2 7ii7 to provide for public safety or trail access2 7iii7 to construct or maintain overlooks and vistas2 or 7iv7 to control insect or disease outbreaks4 7,b7 ,firewood for personal use ,firewood may be harvested for personal use along roads within the ,national ,scenic ,area1 subject to any conditions that the ,secretary may require4 7k7 ,insect and disease outbreaks 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary may carry out activities necessary to control insect and disease outbreaks in a manner consistent with the purposes of the ,national ,scenic ,area described in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 to maintain scenic quality2 7,b7 to reduce hazards to visitors2 or 7,c7 to protect private land4 7#b7 ,limitations ,for purposes of activities carried out under paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 native forest insect and disease outbreaks shall be controlled only-- 7i7 to prevent unacceptable damage to resources on adjacent land2 or 7ii7 to protect threatened1 endangered1 sensitive1 or locally rare species1 with biological control methods being favored2 and 7,b7 nonnative insects and diseases may be eradicated or suppressed only in order to prevent a loss of a special biological community4 7l7 ,vegetation management ,the ,secretary may engage in vegetation manipulation practices within the ,national ,scenic ,area in a manner consistent with the purposes of the ,national ,scenic ,area described in subsection 7b7-- 7#a7 to maintain wildlife clearings and scenic enhancements in existence on the date of enactment of this ,act2 or 7#b7 to construct not more than #ajj acres of additional wildlife clearings by-- 7,a7 expanding wildlife clearings in existence on the date of enactment of this ,act2 or 7,b7 constructing new wildlife clearings of approximately #b to #e acres4 7m7 ,wildfire suppression 7#a7 ,in general ,nothing in this section prohibits the ,secretary1 in cooperation with other ,federal1 ,state1 and local agencies1 as appropriate1 from carrying out wildfire suppression activities within the ,national ,scenic ,area4 7#b7 ,requirements ,wildfire suppression activities within the ,national ,scenic ,area shall be carried out-- 7,a7 in a manner consistent with the purposes of the ,national ,scenic ,area described in subsection 7b72 and 7,b7 using such means as the ,secretary determines to be appropriate4 7n7 ,prescribed fire ,nothing in this section prohibits the ,secretary from conducting prescribed burns within the ,national ,scenic ,area in a manner consistent with the purposes of the ,national ,scenic ,area described in subsection 7b74 7o7 ,withdrawal 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to valid existing rights1 all ,federal land within the ,national ,scenic ,area is withdrawn from-- 7,a7 entry1 appropriation1 or disposal under the public land laws2 7,b7 location1 entry1 and patent under the mining laws2 7,c7 operation of the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws2 7,d7 wind energy development2 and 7,e7 designation of new utility corridors1 utility rights-of-way1 or communication sites4 7#b7 ,effect ,the withdrawal under paragraph 7#a7 shall not deny access to private interests within the ,national ,scenic ,area4 7p7 ,management plan 7#a7 ,in general ,as soon as practicable after the date of the completion of the trail plan under subsection 7e71 but not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall develop as an amendment to the land and resource management plan for the ,george ,washington ,national ,forest a management plan for the ,national ,scenic ,area that is consistent with this section4 7#b7 ,effect ,nothing in this subsection requires the ,secretary to revise the land and resource management plan for the ,george ,washington ,national ,forest under section #f of the ,forest and ,rangeland ,renewable ,resources ,planning ,act of #aigd 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #afjd74 #d4 ,designation of wilderness areas ,section #a of ,public ,law #ajj-cbf 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aacb note2 #ajb ,stat4 #ehd2 #aad ,stat4 #bjeg2 #abc ,stat4 #ajjb7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#ba7 ,skidmore ,fork ,wilderness ,certain land in the ,george ,washington ,national ,forest comprising approximately #e1jgi acres1 as generally depicted on the applicable map filed under section #e7;a77#b7 of the ,shenandoah ,mountain ,act of #bjbb1 which shall be known as the ,skidmore ,fork ,wilderness4 7#bb7 ,ramseys draft wilderness addition ,certain land in the ,george ,washington ,national ,forest comprising approximately #f1ifc acres1 as generally depicted on the applicable map filed under section #e7;a77#b7 of the ,shenandoah ,mountain ,act of #bjbb1 which shall be incorporated into the ,ramseys ,draft ,wilderness designated by ,public ,law #ih-ehf 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aacb note2 #ih ,stat4 #cajf74 7#bc7 ,lynn hollow wilderness ,certain land in the ,george ,washington ,national ,forest comprising approximately #c1egd acres1 as generally depicted on the applicable map filed under section #e7;a77#b7 of the ,shenandoah ,mountain ,act of #bjbb1 which shall be known as the ,lynn ,hollow ,wilderness4 7#bd7 ,little river wilderness ,certain land in the ,george ,washington ,national ,forest comprising approximately #ab1dfa acres1 as generally depicted on the applicable map filed under section #e7;a77#b7 of the ,shenandoah ,mountain ,act of #bjbb1 which shall be known as the ,little ,river ,wilderness4 7#be7 ,beech lick knob wilderness ,certain land in the ,george ,washington ,national ,forest comprising approximately #e1gfd acres1 as generally depicted on the applicable map filed under section #e7;a77#b7 of the ,shenandoah ,mountain ,act of #bjbb1 which shall be known as the ,beech ,lick ,knob ,wilderness4 4 #e4 ,maps and boundary descriptions 7a7 ,filing ,as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall file with the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,natural ,resources and the ,committee on ,agriculture of the ,house of ,representatives maps and boundary descriptions of-- 7#a7 the ,national ,scenic ,area2 and 7#b7 each of the ,wilderness ,areas4 7b7 ,force and effect ,the maps and boundary descriptions filed under subsection 7a7 shall have the same force and effect as if included in this ,act1 except that the ,secretary may correct clerical and typographical errors in the maps and boundary descriptions4 7c7 ,maps control ,in the case of any discrepancy between the acreage of the ,national ,scenic ,area or a ,wilderness ,area and the applicable map filed under subsection 7a71 the applicable map filed under that subsection shall control4 7d7 ,availability ,the maps and boundary descriptions filed under subsection 7a7 shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the ,chief of the ,forest ,service4