Tim Kaine: “today I am introducing legislation that is the product of 18 years of collaborative work from a diverse group of…”

“today I am introducing legislation that is the product of 18 years of collaborative work from a diverse group of stakeholders in Virginia, including local recreation groups, conservationists, timber industry representatives, and sportsmen. The Shenandoah Mountain Act of 2022 would designate more than 92,000 acres of the George Washington National Forest in Virginia as the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area, SMNSA. Congress designates national scenic areas to protect the natural and scenic value of lands that are also compatible with recreational uses such as hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, mountain biking, among others. The SMNSA encompasses four wilderness areas: Skidmore Fork, Little River, Ramsey's Draft, and Lynn Hollow, which in total include 10 peaks above 4,000 feet and 150 miles of trails to attract campers, hikers, mountain bikers, fishermen, birders, and equestrians. The legislation also establishes a 5,764 acre wilderness area at Beech Lick Knob, located 10 miles to the north. The SMNSA will protect important water resources, as it contains headwaters for the Potomac and James Rivers and watersheds that provide drinking water sources for Harrisonburg, Staunton, and communities farther downstream, such as Washington, DC, and Richmond. It is also a hotspot for biodiversity. Cold mountain streams in the area are also a stronghold for native brook trout.…”