Congress 110 - HR 1011 - Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007

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Animals Congressional reporting requirements Environmental Protection Government Operations and Politics Habitat conservation Land use Landscape protection Maps Motor vehicles National forests National scenic areas Nature conservation Old growth forests Outdoor recreation Planning Public Lands and Natural Resources Restoration ecology Sports and Recreation Trails Transportation and Public Works Virginia Water pollution control Water quality Wilderness areas Wildlife conservation

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Summary

Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007 - Designates certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, Virginia (Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East, Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch, Stone Mountain, Hunting Camp Creek and Garden Mountain, Mountain Lake Additions, Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek Additions, Shawvers Run Additions, Peters Mountain Addition, and Kimberling Creek Additions) as wilderness.

Designates certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest as: (1) the "Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area"; and (2) the "Kimberling Creek Potential Wilderness Area" for eventual incorporation in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness. Sets forth requirements regarding ecological restoration. Specifies that the Potential Wilderness Area be designated as wilderness and included in Kimberling Creek Wilderness on the earlier of: (1) the date on which the Secretary of Agriculture publishes in the Federal Register notice that the conditions in such Area that are incompatible with the Wilderness Act have been removed; or (2) five years after enactment of this Act.

Designates Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch, and Bear Creek, as National Scenic Areas (Scenic Areas). Establishes such Areas for purposes of: (1) ensuring the protection and preservation of scenic quality, water quality, natural characteristics, and water resources; (2) protecting wildlife and fish habitat; (3) protecting areas that may develop characteristics of old-growth forests; and (4) providing a variety of recreation opportunities. Authorizes the Secretary to only allow such uses of the Scenic Areas as will further the purposes for which they are established.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a management plan for such Scenic Areas; and (2) establish a trail plan for National Forest System (NFS) lands in order to develop hiking and equestrian trails on the lands in Jefferson National Forest designated as wilderness by this Act and non-motorized recreation trails within the Seng Mountain and Bear Creek Scenic Areas. Instructs the Secretary to establish the trail plan in consultation with interested parties. Requires the Secretary to report on the implementation of such plan, including the identification of priority trails for development.

Directs the Secretary to develop a specified sustainable trail along the southern boundary of the Raccoon Branch Wilderness connecting to forest development road 49352 in Smyth County.

Sets forth provisions regarding roads, vegetation management, motorized travel, fire, insects and disease, water, mining, mineral and geothermal leasing.

Permits motorized access to lands designated as wilderness or a wilderness study area by this Act when required in connection with an emergency involving the health and safety of persons, including search and rescue efforts or a response to an Amber Alert.

Actions

Apr 15, 2008

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held.
Oct 24, 2007

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Oct 23, 2007

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Oct 23, 2007

On passage Passed by voice vote.
Oct 23, 2007

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by voice vote.
Oct 23, 2007

On motion to recommit with instructions Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 236 - 178 (Roll no. 994).
Oct 23, 2007

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H11907)
Oct 23, 2007

DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lamborn motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment inserting a new subsection to motorize access in emergencies.
Oct 23, 2007

Mr. Lamborn moved to recommit with instructions to Natural Resources. (consideration: CR H11907-11908; text: CR H11907)
Oct 23, 2007

DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Goodlatte amendment.
Oct 23, 2007

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1011.
Oct 23, 2007

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1011 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
Oct 23, 2007

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 763. (consideration: CR H11900-11908; text of measure as introduced: CR H11900-11902; text of measure as reported in House: CR H11902-11903)
Oct 23, 2007

Rule H. Res. 763 passed House.
Oct 22, 2007

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 763 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1011 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
Oct 5, 2007

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 224.
Oct 5, 2007

Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Sep 4, 2007

House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 5, 2007.
Sep 4, 2007

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-315, Part I.
Jun 28, 2007

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 28, 2007

Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Discharged.
Jun 28, 2007

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
May 10, 2007

Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 2, 2007

Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.
Feb 21, 2007

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
Feb 13, 2007

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 13, 2007

Introduced in House

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