Virginia Ridge and Valley Act Gets Congressional Hearing
Action Alert
For Immediate Release
05-11-07
Contact: Drew Vankat, Policy Analyst
303-545-9011
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources recently held hearings on the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act (H.R.1011, S.520), an important land preservation bill. Representative Boucher (VA) and Senator Warner (VA) reintroduced the legislation, which includes several vital provisions to protect mountain bike access.
Local IMBA advocates have worked for the past three years to help preserve land and bicycle access in the Jefferson National Forest. The newest version of the Act is largely good for mountain biking and land protection, creating protected areas that allow a variety of non-motorized recreational opportunities.
National Scenic Areas Good for Bicycling and Land Preservation
Most promising, the bill includes nearly 12,000 acres in two National Scenic Areas, where mountain biking will be allowed to continue. Local riders negotiated to maintain access to popular singletrack in the Seng Mountain and Bear Creek areas while still affording the land a high level of protection.
As a result, mountain bikers can enjoy backcountry trail experiences in perpetuity in both of these areas. "We were looking for a stringent land preservation designation that allows quiet, non-motorized uses like bicycling to continue," said IMBA Virginia Representative Chris Scott.
"We are pleased that National Scenic Area protects the character of the land and will allow us to continue riding our favorite trails," added Scott.
Trail Creation Key to Mountain Biker Support
The bill also includes important language stipulating the construction of a new shared-use trail to provide mountain bikers an alternative to the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail (VHHT). The VHHT, a popular route for equestrian and bicyclist use, lies within the proposed Raccoon Branch Wilderness and is located on a roadbed with unsustainable grades. Working with the Forest Service and other stakeholder groups, IMBA Trails Specialist Rich Edwards and Woody Keen, IMBA board member, proposed a new sustainable route, the Rye Valley Trail, outside the proposed Wilderness.
"Construction of the Rye Valley Trail is necessary for our support of the Raccoon Branch as Wilderness. This new route will be much more environmentally sustainable than the existing trail and require far less maintenance hours and dollars over time," said Edwards.
What You Can Do
Virginia residents should write Rep. Boucher and Sen. Warner and thank them for their attention to mountain biking and land preservation in the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act. Ask that National Scenic Areas and the Rye Valley Trail construction continue to be included in the final bill.
Representative Rick Boucher
2187 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3861
Senator John Warner
225 Russell Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-2023
Read IMBA's testimony on the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act
Read Frequently Asked Questions about IMBA's land preservation policies
