Virginia Wilderness Additions Act of 2025

This bill adds more protected land to the George Washington National Forest in Virginia. It extends the Rough Mountain Wilderness by about 1,000 acres and sets aside about 4,600 acres next to the Rich Hole Wilderness as “potential wilderness.” That Rich Hole area will be managed like wilderness and will become full wilderness after certain stream and habitat repair work is finished, or automatically after five years, whichever comes first .

During the cleanup period, the Forest Service can use trucks or other machines only to improve water quality and fish passage under a specific restoration plan, and must use the least intrusive tools possible. After that, the area will be treated as regular wilderness under federal law .

• Key points
  • Who is affected: People who use or live near the George Washington National Forest, including visitors and nearby communities in Virginia .
  • What changes: About 1,000 acres are added to Rough Mountain Wilderness; about 4,600 acres next to Rich Hole are protected now and become full wilderness after restoration work or in five years; restoration work can use limited motorized equipment until then, using the minimum tool needed .
  • When: The Rich Hole addition becomes full wilderness when the Forest Service announces the restoration work is complete, or five years after the law takes effect, whichever is sooner .