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Wilderness Protections Under Threat in Virginia
1 Feb
Summary
- Federal government seeks to repeal Virginia law protecting 45 million acres.
- Removal of protections could expose nearly 400,000 federal acres to development.
- Virginia lawmakers are working to codify existing wilderness protections.
The U.S. Forest Service is initiating a move to repeal a 2001 Virginia law that currently protects 45 million acres of forest land from logging and development. This federal action, framed as a wildfire management strategy, has drawn criticism from environmental advocates and scientists who argue that increased road construction could actually facilitate fires.
This repeal could potentially open nearly 400,000 acres of federal land in Virginia to industrial development, including oil and gas leasing and mining. Concerns have been raised about the impact on water pollution, specifically affecting the James and Potomac Rivers, which flow into the Chesapeake Bay, thereby threatening regional biodiversity.
In response, Virginia lawmakers are working to codify the state's current wilderness protections, making them more resistant to federal repeal. The state has a history of successfully defending these protections, and efforts are underway to ensure future appeals are possible if the U.S. Forest Service proceeds with its development plans.
