H.R. 6365 · Passed House · Public Lands and Natural Resources

Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act

Sponsor: John J. McGuire III (R-VA)

What it does

• Direct the Department of the Interior to issue a right-of-way through the Blue Ridge Parkway for an emergency exit from Wintergreen, Nelson County, Virginia, contingent on Interior completing required studies and reviews
• Require Interior to evaluate alternatives to a right-of-way for exiting Wintergreen that do not cross federal land, including assessment of converting existing trails to roads.
• Require Interior to analyze expected fire ecology behavior in the event of a fire emergency related to the proposed right-of-way.
• Require Interior to complete reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act before granting the right-of-way.

Official summary

Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to issue a right-of-way through the Blue Ridge Parkway for an additional emergency exit from Wintergreen in Nelson County, Virginia, once certain requirements have been met. Specifically, Interior must grant the right-of-way if it reports to specified congressional committees that the following have been completed: (1) an evaluation of alternatives to the right-of-way for exiting Wintergreen that do not cross federal land, including an evaluation of whether existing trails can be converted to roads; (2) an analysis of expected fire ecology behavior in the event of a fire emergency with respect to the right-of-way; and (3) any required reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the National Historic Preservation Act.

Latest action

Sep 17, 2026: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 664.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources