George Washington/Jefferson National Forest Expanded By 295 Acres
On June 9, 1999, the Trust for Public Land assisted the US Forest Service
in completing the acquisition of 295 acres of land in Virginia's George
Washington/Jefferson National Forest. The property borders the 9,835-acre
St. Mary's Wilderness Area within the Forest. Located in the heart of the
Appalachian Mountains, the National Forest contains some of the most spectacular
scenery, wildlife habitat and recreational lands in Virginia.
"Protection of this land allows the Forest Service to achieve a number
of local goals," said Rodger Krussman, TPL Project Manager who secured
the property. "In addition to providing recreational opportunities, this
property furthers the development of a more inclusive watershed management
plan in an area prone to flooding and establishes a much-needed development
buffer for the St. Mary's Wilderness Area."
The Forest encompasses more than 1.7 million acres of land, hosts an excess
of 1800 miles of hiking trails, and contains all, or portions of, 17 federally
designated wilderness areas. Located within three hours of Washington,
DC, these valuable natural resources and recreational opportunities are
easily accessible to millions of outdoor enthusiasts.
By developing a strong relationship with the landowner, the Trust for Public
Land was able to secure an option on a 295-acre property in the winter
of 1998. TPL then worked closely with the US Forest Service to secure the
funds necessary to complete the purchase. Funding was made available through
the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The former landowner, Delegate Vance Wilkins, Jr., worked with the TPL
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFS) to ensure the protection
of the property. "My main objective was to see this property permanently
protected within the National Forest," said Delegate Wilkins, a strong
supporter of open space (for people) initiatives. Wilkins also proposed
and worked to pass critical state legislation necessary for the USFS to
obtain a permanent right of way on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail
at the James River Crossing. The legislation takes effect July of this
year. And just recently, Delegate Wilkins put forth a proposal to support
the conservation of 1 million acres in Virginia by the year 2007.
The TPL has a long-standing positive relationship with the George Washington/Jefferson
National Forest and has assisted in the completion of a number of transactions,
including the 660-acre parcel adjacent to the Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway
and the addition of 1,244 acres to the Mount Rogers Recreational Area.