A bill to designate certain public lands in Virginia as additions to the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984 - Designates the following lands in Virginia as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) the Beartown Wilderness in the Jefferson National Forest; (2) the Kimberling Creek Wilderness in the Jefferson National Forest; (3) the Lewis Fork Wilderness in the Jefferson National Forest; (4) the Little Dry Run Wilderness in the Jefferson National Forest; (5) the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness in the Jefferson National Forest; (6) the Mountain Lake Wilderness in the Jefferson National Forest; (7) the Peters Mountain Wilderness in the Jefferson National Forest; (8) the Thunder Ridge Wilderness in the Jefferson National Forest; (9) the James River Face Wilderness Addition in the Jefferson National Forest which is to be incorporated in the James River Face Wilderness; (10) the Ramseys Draft Wilderness in the George Washington National Forest; and (11) the Saint Mary's Wilderness in the George Washington National Forest.
Provides that the RARE II (second roadless area review and evaluation) final environmental statement (dated January 1979) with respect to national forest system lands in Virginia shall not be subject to judicial review. Releases national forest system lands in Virginia which were reviewed in the RARE II program from further review by the Department of Agriculture, pending revision of initial national forest management plans. Releases lands in Virginia reviewed in the RARE II program and not designated as wilderness from management as wilderness areas. Prohibits the Department of Agriculture from conducting any further statewide roadless area review and evaluation of national forest system lands in Virginia without express congressional authorization. States that the provisions above shall also apply to national forest system roadless lands in Virginia which are less than 5,000 acres in size.
Requires the Secretary to review the following lands in Virginia to determine their suitability for preservation as wilderness: (1) the Rough Mountain Wilderness Study Area in the George Washington National Forest; (2) the Rich Hole Wilderness Study Area in the George Washington National Forest; (3) the Barbours Creek Wilderness Study Area in the Jefferson National Forest; and (4) the Shawvers Run Wilderness Study Area in the Jefferson National Forest.
Requires the Secretary to report to Congress within two years after enactment of this Act on the effects on air quality of the proposed industrial development site at Covington, Virginia, on the areas designated as wilderness study areas by this Act. Requires an interim report to the appropriate congressional committees.
States that Congress does not intend that designation of wilderness areas in Virginia lead to the creation of buffer zones around each wilderness area.
Became Public Law No: 98-586.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
Committee on Agriculture requested executive comment from Agriculture Department.
Referred to Subcommittee on Soil and Water Conservation.
Subcommittee on Soil and Water Conservation. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 98-1099.
Committee on Agriculture received executive comment from Agriculture Department.
Committee on Agriculture. Ordered to be reported in lieu of H.R. 5121 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Agriculture. Reported to Senate by Senator Helms with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 98-612.
Committee on Agriculture. Reported to Senate by Senator Helms with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 98-612.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1193.
Considered by Senate.
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Senate incorporated this measure in H.R. 5121 as an amendment.
Senate passed companion measure H.R. 5121 in lieu of this measure by Voice Vote.
Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Voice Vote.