Virginia Wilderness Additions Act of 2025

The Virginia Wilderness Additions Act would expand two existing wilderness areas in Bath County by adding approximately 5,600 acres total to the Rough Mountain and Rich Hole Wilderness Areas within the George Washington National Forest. Specifically, the bill would add about 1,000 acres to Rough Mountain Wilderness and designate approximately 4,600 acres as a potential wilderness area for Rich Hole Wilderness. These additions would connect the two wilderness areas, creating a larger contiguous block of protected land.

Wilderness designation is the highest level of protection for public land under federal law, prohibiting roads, development, and motorized vehicles. The bill includes a provision allowing limited use of motorized equipment for water quality improvement and restoration projects in the Rich Hole Addition area until it is formally incorporated into the wilderness. The additions were recommended by the U.S. Forest Service in 2014 and endorsed by a collaborative group of forest users including timber interests, hunters, hikers, and local officials who worked together to balance wilderness protection with other forest uses.