119-s1681

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1681 Reported in Senate

    (RS) ]

<DOC>

 Calendar No. 214
119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 S. 1681

To establish the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area in the State 
 of Virginia, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 May 8, 2025

 Mr. Kaine (for himself and Mr. Warner) introduced the following bill; 
 which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, 
 Nutrition, and Forestry

 October 27, 2025

 Reported by Mr. Boozman, without amendment

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

To establish the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area in the State 
 of Virginia, and for other purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``Shenandoah Mountain Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

 In this Act:

    (1) National scenic area.--
        (A) In general.--The term ``National Scenic Area'' 
 means the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area 
 established by 

section 3

    (a) .
        (B) Inclusions.--The term ``National Scenic Area'' 
 includes--
            (i) any National Forest System land within 
 the boundary of the National Scenic Area that 
 is administered as part of the National Scenic 
 Area; and
            (ii) any National Forest System land within 
 the boundary of the National Scenic Area that 
 is administered as a component of the National 
 Wilderness Preservation System under the 
 amendments made by 

section 4.

    (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
 of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.

    (3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Virginia.

    (4) Wilderness area.--The term ``Wilderness Area'' means a 
 wilderness area designated by paragraphs

    (21) through

    (25) of 
 

section 1 of Public Law 100-326 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; 102 Stat. 
 584; 114 Stat. 2057; 123 Stat. 1002) (as added by 

section 4).

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SHENANDOAH MOUNTAIN NATIONAL SCENIC AREA.

    (a) Establishment.--Subject to valid existing rights, there is 
established the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area, consisting of 
approximately 92,562 acres of National Forest System land in the George 
Washington and Jefferson National Forests, as generally depicted on the 
map filed under 

section 5

    (a)

    (1) .

    (b) 

=== Purposes ===
-The purposes of the National Scenic Area are--

    (1) to ensure the protection and preservation of the scenic 
 quality, water quality, natural characteristics, and water 
 resources of the National Scenic Area;

    (2) to protect wildlife, fish, and plant habitat in the 
 National Scenic Area;

    (3) to protect outstanding natural biological values and 
 habitat for plant and animal species along the Shenandoah 
 Mountain crest above 3,000 feet above sea level elevation, 
 including the Cow Knob salamander;

    (4) to protect forests in the National Scenic Area that may 
 develop characteristics of old-growth forests;

    (5) to protect the Wilderness Areas; and

    (6) to provide for a variety of, and improve existing, 
 recreation settings and opportunities in the National Scenic 
 Area in a manner consistent with the purposes of the National 
 Scenic Area described in paragraphs

    (1) through

    (5) .
            (c) Administration.--

    (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph

    (2) , the 
 Secretary shall administer the National Scenic Area in 
 accordance with--
        (A) this section; and
        (B) the laws (including regulations) generally 
 applicable to the National Forest System.

    (2) Exception.--Subject to valid existing rights, the 
 Secretary shall administer the Wilderness Areas in accordance 
 with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) and any other 
 laws applicable to the Wilderness Areas, except that any 
 reference in that Act to the effective date of that Act shall 
 be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of 
 this Act for purposes of administering the Wilderness Areas.

    (3) Effect; conflicts.--
        (A) Effect.--The establishment of the National 
 Scenic Area shall not affect the administration of the 
 Wilderness Areas.
        (B) Conflicts.--In the case of any conflict between 
 the laws applicable to the Wilderness Areas, the 
 Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) shall control.

    (4) No buffer zones.--
        (A) In general.--Nothing in this section creates a 
 protective perimeter or buffer zone around the National 
 Scenic Area or a Wilderness Area.
        (B) Activities outside national scenic area or 
 wilderness areas.--The fact that an activity or use on 
 land outside the National Scenic Area or a Wilderness 
 Area can be seen or heard by humans within the National 
 Scenic Area or Wilderness Area shall not preclude the 
 activity or use outside the boundaries of the National 
 Scenic Area or Wilderness Area.
            (d) Recreational Uses.--

    (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
 section or under applicable law, the Secretary shall authorize 
 the continuation of, or seek to improve, authorized 
 recreational uses of the National Scenic Area in existence on 
 the date of enactment of this Act.

    (2) Effect.--Nothing in this section interferes with the 
 authority of the Secretary--
        (A) to maintain or improve nonmotorized trails and 
 recreation sites within the National Scenic Area;
        (B) to construct new nonmotorized trails and 
 recreation sites within the National Scenic Area;
            (C) to adjust recreational uses within the National 
 Scenic Area for reasons of sound resource management or 
 public safety; and
            (D) to evaluate applications for, and issue or 
 deny, special use authorizations in connection with 
 recreation within the National Scenic Area.

    (3) Requirement.--Recreation within the National Scenic 
 Area shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the 
 purposes of the National Scenic Area described in subsection

    (b) .

    (e) National Forest System Trail Plan.--

    (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
 enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a National 
 Forest System trail plan for National Forest System land in the 
 National Scenic Area that is not located in a Wilderness Area 
 in order to construct, maintain, and improve nonmotorized 
 recreation National Forest System trails in a manner consistent 
 with the purposes of the National Scenic Area described in 
 subsection

    (b) .

    (2) Potential inclusion.--The Secretary may address in the 
 National Forest System trail plan developed under paragraph

    (1) National Forest System land that is near, but not within the 
 boundary of, the National Scenic Area.

    (3) Public input.--In developing the National Forest System 
 trail plan under paragraph

    (1) , the Secretary shall seek input 
 from interested parties, including members of the public.

    (4) Requirements.--The National Forest System trail plan 
 developed under paragraph

    (1) shall--
        (A) promote sustainable trail management that 
 protects natural resources and provides diverse, high-
 quality recreation opportunities, which may include 
 loop trails for nonmotorized uses;
        (B) consider natural resource protection, trail 
 sustainability, and trail maintenance needs as primary 
 factors in determining the location or relocation of 
 National Forest System trails; and
            (C) develop a National Forest System trail outside 
 the Little River Wilderness Area in the area of the 
 Tillman Road corridor (along National Forest System 
 road 101) to connect the Wolf Ridge Trail parking area 
 to the Wild Oak National Recreation Trail, as generally 
 depicted on the applicable map filed under 

section 5

    (a)

    (2) , pending completion of the required 
 environmental analysis.

    (5) Implementation report.--Not later than 2 years after 
 the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
 to Congress a report that describes the implementation of the 
 National Forest System trail plan developed under paragraph

    (1) , including the identification of the National Forest System 
 trail described in paragraph

    (4)
            (C) and any other priority 
 National Forest System trails identified for development.

    (f) Roads.--

    (1) In general.--The establishment of the National Scenic 
 Area shall not--
        (A) result in the closure of any National Forest 
 System roads, as generally depicted on the map filed 
 under 

section 5

    (a)

    (1) ; or
        (B) modify public access within the National Scenic 
 Area.

    (2) No new roads.--No new roads shall be constructed in the 
 National Scenic Area after the date of enactment of this Act.

    (3) Effect.--Nothing in this section--
        (A) denies any owner of private land or an interest 
 in private land that is located within the National 
 Scenic Area the right to access the private land;
        (B) alters the authority of the Secretary to open 
 or close roads in the National Scenic Area in existence 
 on the date of enactment of this Act in furtherance of 
 the purposes of this Act; or
            (C) alters the authority of the State--
            (i) to maintain the access road to the 
 crest of Shenandoah Mountain (Route 924); or
            (ii) to realign the access road described 
 in clause
            (i) if necessary for reasons of sound 
 resource management or public safety.

    (4) Parking areas.--
        (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph
        (B) , the 
 reconstruction, minor relocation, and construction of 
 parking areas and related facilities within the 
 National Scenic Area are authorized in a manner 
 consistent with the purposes of the National Scenic 
 Area described in subsection

    (b) .
        (B) Limitation.--Additional trailhead parking areas 
 authorized in the National Scenic Area under 
 subparagraph
        (A) may be constructed only along National 
 Forest System roads.

    (g) Motorized Travel.--Motorized travel shall be allowed only on 
roads within the portions of the National Scenic Area that are not 
Wilderness Areas, in a manner consistent with subsection

    (f) .

    (h) Water.--The Secretary shall administer the National Scenic Area 
in a manner that maintains and enhances water quality.
            (i) Water Impoundments.--The establishment of the National Scenic 
Area shall not prohibit--

    (1) the operation, maintenance, or improvement of, or 
 access to, dams, reservoirs, or related infrastructure in 
 existence on the date of enactment of this Act, as generally 
 depicted on the map filed under 

section 5

    (a)

    (1) ; or

    (2) the establishment of new dams, reservoirs, or related 
 infrastructure if necessary for municipal use.

    (j) Timber Harvest.--

    (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph

    (2) , no 
 harvesting of timber shall be allowed within the National 
 Scenic Area.

    (2) Exceptions.--
        (A) Necessary harvesting.--The Secretary may 
 authorize harvesting of timber in the National Scenic 
 Area if the Secretary determines that the harvesting is 
 necessary--
            (i) to control fire;
            (ii) to provide for public safety or trail 
 access;
            (iii) to construct or maintain overlooks 
 and vistas; or
            (iv) to control insect or disease 
 outbreaks.
        (B) Firewood for personal use.--Firewood may be 
 harvested for personal use along roads within the 
 National Scenic Area, subject to any conditions that 
 the Secretary may require.

    (k) Insect and Disease Outbreaks.--

    (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph

    (2) , the Secretary 
 may carry out activities necessary to control insect and 
 disease outbreaks in a manner consistent with the purposes of 
 the National Scenic Area described in subsection

    (b) --
        (A) to maintain scenic quality;
        (B) to reduce hazards to visitors; or
            (C) to protect National Forest System land or 
 private land.

    (2) Limitations.--For purposes of activities carried out 
 under paragraph

    (1) --
        (A) native forest insect and disease outbreaks 
 shall be controlled only--
            (i) to prevent unacceptable damage to 
 resources on adjacent land; or
            (ii) to protect threatened, endangered, 
 sensitive, or locally rare species, with 
 biological control methods being favored; and
        (B) nonnative insects and diseases may be 
 eradicated or suppressed only in order to prevent a 
 loss of a special biological community.
            (l) Vegetation Management.--The Secretary may engage in vegetation 
management practices within the National Scenic Area in a manner 
consistent with the purposes of the National Scenic Area described in 
subsection

    (b) --

    (1) to maintain wildlife clearings and scenic enhancements 
 in existence on the date of enactment of this Act; or

    (2) to construct not more than 100 acres of additional 
 wildlife clearings by--
        (A) expanding wildlife clearings in existence on 
 the date of enactment of this Act; or
        (B) constructing new wildlife clearings of 
 approximately 2 to 5 acres.
            (m) Wildfire Suppression.--

    (1) In general.--Nothing in this section prohibits the 
 Secretary, in cooperation with other Federal, State, and local 
 agencies, as appropriate, from carrying out wildfire 
 suppression activities within the National Scenic Area.

    (2) Requirements.--Wildfire suppression activities within 
 the National Scenic Area shall be carried out--
        (A) in a manner consistent with the purposes of the 
 National Scenic Area described in subsection

    (b) ; and
        (B) using such means as the Secretary determines to 
 be appropriate.

    (n) Prescribed Fire.--Nothing in this section prohibits the 
Secretary from conducting prescribed burns and necessary burn unit 
preparation within the National Scenic Area in a manner consistent with 
the purposes of the National Scenic Area described in subsection

    (b) .

    (o) Withdrawal.--

    (1) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights, all 
 Federal land within the National Scenic Area is withdrawn 
 from--
        (A) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the 
 public land laws;
        (B) location, entry, and patent under the mining 
 laws;
            (C) operation of the mineral leasing and geothermal 
 leasing laws;
            (D) wind, solar, or other renewable energy 
 development; and
        (E) designation of new utility corridors, utility 
 rights-of-way, or communications sites.

    (2) Effect.--Consistent with subsection

    (f)

    (3)
        (A) , the 
 withdrawal under paragraph

    (1) shall not deny access to private 
 land or an interest in private land within the National Scenic 
 Area.

    (p) Management Plan.--

    (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
 the completion of the National Forest System trail plan under 
 subsection

    (e) , but not later than 2 years after the date of 
 enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop as an 
 amendment to the land management plan for the George Washington 
 and Jefferson National Forests a management plan for the 
 National Scenic Area that is consistent with this section.

    (2) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection requires the 
 Secretary to revise the land management plan for the George 
 Washington and Jefferson National Forests under 

section 6 of 
 the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 
 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604).

SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS.

 

Section 1 of Public Law 100-326 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; 102 Stat. 
584; 114 Stat. 2057; 123 Stat. 1002) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
 ``

    (21) Skidmore fork wilderness.--Certain National Forest 
 System land in the George Washington and Jefferson National 
 Forests comprising approximately 5,088 acres, as generally 
 depicted on the applicable map filed under 

section 5

    (a)

    (2) of 
 the Shenandoah Mountain Act, which shall be known as the 
 `Skidmore Fork Wilderness'.
 ``

    (22) Ramseys draft wilderness addition.--Certain National 
 Forest System land in the George Washington and Jefferson 
 National Forests comprising approximately 6,961 acres, as 
 generally depicted on the applicable map filed under 

section 5

    (a)

    (2) of the Shenandoah Mountain Act, which shall be 
 incorporated into the Ramseys Draft Wilderness designated by 
 Public Law 98-586 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; 98 Stat. 3106).
 ``

    (23) Lynn hollow wilderness.--Certain National Forest 
 System land in the George Washington and Jefferson National 
 Forests comprising approximately 3,568 acres, as generally 
 depicted on the applicable map filed under 

section 5

    (a)

    (2) of 
 the Shenandoah Mountain Act, which shall be known as the `Lynn 
 Hollow Wilderness'.
 ``

    (24) Little river wilderness.--Certain National Forest 
 System land in the George Washington and Jefferson National 
 Forests comprising approximately 12,461 acres, as generally 
 depicted on the applicable map filed under 

section 5

    (a)

    (2) of 
 the Shenandoah Mountain Act, which shall be known as the 
 `Little River Wilderness'.
 ``

    (25) Beech lick knob wilderness.--Certain National Forest 
 System land in the George Washington and Jefferson National 
 Forests comprising approximately 5,779 acres, as generally 
 depicted on the applicable map filed under 

section 5

    (a)

    (2) of 
 the Shenandoah Mountain Act, which shall be known as the `Beech 
 Lick Knob Wilderness'.''.

SEC. 5. MAPS AND BOUNDARY DESCRIPTIONS.

    (a) Filing.--As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall file with the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Natural 
Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives maps and boundary descriptions of--

    (1) the National Scenic Area; and

    (2) each of the Wilderness Areas.

    (b) Force and Effect.--The maps and boundary descriptions filed 
under subsection

    (a) shall have the same force and effect as if 
included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct clerical 
and typographical errors in the maps and boundary descriptions.
            (c) Maps Control.--In the case of any discrepancy between the 
acreage of the National Scenic Area or a Wilderness Area and the 
applicable map filed under subsection

    (a) , the applicable map filed 
under that subsection shall control.
            (d) Availability.--The maps and boundary descriptions filed under 
subsection

    (a) shall be on file and available for public inspection in 
the office of the Chief of the Forest Service.
 Calendar No. 214

119th CONGRESS

 1st Session

 S. 1681

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

To establish the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area in the State 
 of Virginia, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 October 27, 2025

 Reported without amendment