Lynchburg Reporter

Virginia Congressman Bob Good and Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner have introduced the Blue Ridge Fire Safety Act of 2024. This bipartisan legislation aims to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service (NPS), to permit an emergency access road on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This marks Rep. Good's second legislative effort focused on Wintergreen community safety, proposing a solution for a secondary emergency route. The bill includes a map detailing the proposed road's location.

"For too long, a National Park Service legal interpretation prevented the Wintergreen community from receiving the permission it needed to ensure the safety of its residents," said Good. "I am pleased to have worked with the Park Service and Senators Kaine and Warner on this bipartisan, bicameral effort to make the Virginians in Wintergreen safer from the threat of natural disasters."

For over 30 years, Wintergreen Property Owners Association has sought NPS approval for a 400-foot emergency gravel road connecting Wintergreen to Blue Ridge Parkway. Concerns about consistency with parkway purposes delayed progress until now.

“It’s critical that first responders be able to quickly get where they need to go during an emergency,” stated Sen. Kaine. “That’s why I’m introducing this legislation.”

“Currently there is only one road in and out of Wintergreen," noted Sen. Warner. "This greatly hinders first responders' ability to get into town, impacting public safety for all residents.”

Rep. Good initially introduced similar legislation in January and discussed it further with NPS Director Sams in May at a Congressional hearing.

Historical examples like California's Camp Fire highlight evacuation challenges due to limited exit routes, underscoring this bill's importance.