Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007
Latest action · Apr 15, 2008 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held.
Progress
Where this bill reached, and when. A stage with no date was not reached; one that failed a vote and later carried shows the date it carried.
- IntroducedFeb 13, 2007
- Passed HouseOct 23, 2007
- Passed SenateNot reached
- To the PresidentNot reached
- Became lawNot reached
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.
Recorded votes 1
Newest first. Open one to see how every member voted.
| Roll call | Question | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| House 994 | On Motion to Recommit with Instructions | Passed236–178 | Oct 23, 2007 |
Cosponsors 6
Members who signed on, in the order they did. Signatures ran from Feb 13, 2007 to May 3, 2007; 5 are original cosponsors, there from the day it was introduced.
| Seat | Cosponsor | Signed on | |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-VA | Frank R. Wolf | Original | Feb 13, 2007 |
| D-VA | James P. Moran | Original | Feb 13, 2007 |
| R-VA | Jo Ann Davis | Original | Feb 13, 2007 |
| D-VA | Robert C. "Bobby" Scott | Original | Feb 13, 2007 |
| R-VA | Tom Davis | Original | Feb 13, 2007 |
| D-CA | Grace F. Napolitano | May 3, 2007 |
Committees 3
Where it was sent and what each committee and subcommittee did with it, in order.
| Chamber | Committee | What it did |
|---|---|---|
| House | Natural Resources Committee | Referred Feb 13, 2007Markup Jun 28, 2007Reported Sep 4, 2007 |
| Federal Lands Subcommittee | Referred Feb 21, 2007Hearings May 10, 2007Discharged Jun 28, 2007 | |
| House | Agriculture Committee | Referred Feb 13, 2007Discharged Oct 5, 2007 |
| Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee | Referred Mar 2, 2007 | |
| Senate | Energy and Natural Resources Committee | Referred Oct 24, 2007 |
| Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee | Hearings Apr 15, 2008 |
Actions 26
Everything that happened, newest first.
- Apr 15, 2008Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held.
- Oct 24, 2007Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Oct 23, 2007Rule H. Res. 763 passed House.
- Oct 23, 2007Considered 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, 2007Rule 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.
In the Congressional Record 2
Days the Record’s own index lists this bill, newest first, with the pages and the members it names. Pages starting H are the House, S the Senate, E Extensions of Remarks.
| Where | In the Record | Members | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | Debate and remarks H11888–H11892, H11894, H11900–H11908Text printed H11888, H11900, H11902Amendments H11894, H11902, H11905, H11908Motions H11907Recorded votes H11897, H11907consideration (H. Res. 763), previous questionLamborn motion to recommit (use of motorized vehicles and equipment in wilderness areas when required in connection with an emergency involving the health and safety of persons) | Bob Goodlatte R-VA (amendment), David Dreier R-CA, Dennis A. Cardoza D-CA, Don Young R-AK, Doug Lamborn R-CO (motion), James P. Moran D-VA, Jerry Lewis R-CA, John J. Hall D-NY, Nancy Pelosi D-CA, Nick J. Rahall II D-WV (amendment), Pete Sessions R-TX (amendment), Rick Boucher D-VA, Robert C. "Bobby" Scott D-VA, Tom Davis R-VA | Oct 23, 2007 |
| House | Declaratory Statements H11848 | — | Oct 22, 2007 |
Research
What has been written about this bill: committee reports, cost estimates, the sponsor’s authority statement, printed hearings and the Congressional Research Service’s work.
Committee report
Congressional Budget Office cost estimates 2
- Jul 30, 2007H.R. 1011, Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007<p>Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on June 28, 2007</p>
- Jul 30, 2007H.R. 1011, Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on June 28, 2007
Printed hearings 3
Hearings whose printed record names this bill, newest first: hearings on it, and wider hearings where it came up.
| Number | Hearing | Committee | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| S. Hrg. 110-485 | CURRENT PUBLIC LANDS AND FORESTS BILLS77 pages | Energy and Natural Resources Committee | Apr 15, 2008 |
| Serial No. 110-28 | REVIEW OF H.R. 1011, THE VIRGINIA RIDGE AND VALLEY ACT OF 200754 pages | Agriculture Committee | Sep 27, 2007 |
| Serial No. 110-25 | H.R. 523, DOUGLAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON, PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT CONVEYANCE ACT; AND H.R. 1011, VIRGINIA RIDGE AND VALLEY ACT OF 200756 pages | Natural Resources Committee | May 10, 2007 |
Amendments 2
Amendments offered to this bill.
| Amendment | Description | Offered by | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAmdt 860 | An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 110-403 to change the boundary of the Brush Mountain East wilderness area, removing 26 acres which contain a power line; changes the boundaries of the Seng Mountain Scenic Area, removing 1,263 acres from the area to allow continued use of the Barton Gap Motorized trail and wildlife habitat management in key areas; changes trail language for the Raccon Branch area, removing specific requirements to locate the trail along Rt. 650 and changing the connection road to Forest Development road 49352. | Bob Goodlatte R-VA | On agreeing to the Goodlatte amendment (A001) Agreed to by voice vote. |
| HAmdt 861 | At the end of section 2, add the following new subsection: (e) MOTERIZED ACCESS IN EMERGENCIES.--. | Nick J. Rahall II D-WV | On agreeing to the Rahall amendment (A002) Agreed to by voice vote. |
Related bills 2
Companion bills and other measures the record links to this one.
Titles 4
Every title it has carried, official and short, at each stage.
- Official Title as Introduced
- To designate additional National Forest System lands in the State of Virginia as wilderness or a wilderness study area, to designate the Kimberling Creek Potential Wilderness Area for eventual incorporation in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness, to establish the Seng Mountain and Bear Creek Scenic Areas, to provide for the development of trail plans for the wilderness areas and scenic areas, and for other purposes.
- Short Titles as Introduced
- Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007
- Short Titles as Reported to House
- Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007
- Short Titles as Passed House
- Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007
Subjects
Assigned by the Library of Congress. Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources.
- 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
Text 4
Each version as it was printed, newest first.
- Oct 24, 2007Referred in Senate
- Oct 23, 2007Engrossed in House
- Oct 5, 2007Reported in House
- Feb 13, 2007Introduced in House
Everything here is as published by Congress: the summary is the Congressional Research Service's, the action wording is the clerks', and the subjects are the Library of Congress's. How far it got is read from the actions themselves, taking the most recent one of each kind, so a bill that failed a vote and later passed is shown as having passed. Records come from this bill on Congress.gov and govinfo.gov; cost estimates are the Congressional Budget Office's, and the hearings are the printed hearings GovInfo publishes, which can appear months after the hearing.
