5 versions

CosmeticWhat changed in REFERRED IN SENATEcompared with ENGROSSED IN HOUSE (Mar 3, 2026)

Technical corrections only. The only change between v3 and v4 is the addition of "KEVIN F. MCCUMBER" to the Clerk's attestation line. No substantive policy changes were made to the bill.

H.R. 6365119th CongressIntroduced Dec 2, 2025

Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act

Passed HousePublic Lands and Natural ResourcesSubstantive

View bill text

Sponsor: Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5]
Committees: Natural Resources Committee (primary)
Last action: Sep 17, 2026

Bottom line

The bill requires the federal government to permit an emergency egress route through federal park land for a specific Virginia community, contingent on environmental and alternative assessments.

What it actually does

This bill mandates that the Secretary of the Interior issue a right-of-way for an emergency exit road on National Park Service land within the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, specifically for the Wintergreen community. The issuance is conditional upon the Secretary reporting that an evaluation of non-federal alternatives, an analysis of fire ecology behavior, and all required environmental reviews under NEPA and other relevant statutes have been completed.

Proponents argue

Supporters argue that this bill is a critical safety measure, providing a much-needed emergency exit for the Wintergreen community, which currently faces limited egress options during crises like wildfires or other natural disasters. They contend that the specified conditions ensure due diligence and responsible development, balancing safety needs with environmental considerations.

Opponents contend

Opponents may express concerns that mandating a right-of-way on National Park Service land could set an undesirable precedent, potentially encroaching on protected federal lands for local development interests. They might also argue that the environmental review process, while required, could be undermined by the legislative mandate to ultimately issue the right-of-way, regardless of the findings.

The bill is exceptionally short and clear, making it very accessible for any reader to understand its core provisions quickly.

Section 2(2)

Mandatory Issuance of Emergency Egress Right-of-Way

prominently featuredstraightforward

This provision amends existing law to require the Secretary of the Interior to issue a right-of-way for an emergency exit, specifically depicted as 'Proposed Egress' on a map titled 'Blue Ridge Parkway, Proposed Wintergreen Emergency Egress Near Milepost 9.6'. This mandates the creation of a new emergency road through a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, serving the Wintergreen community.

GroupImpactMechanismScale

GroupResidents and visitors of Wintergreen, VirginiaImpactEnhanced safety and emergency preparednessMechanismCreation of a dedicated emergency exit route, improving evacuation options during crises.ScaleLocal community, potentially thousands of individuals.

GroupNational Park Service (NPS)ImpactMandated land use change and administrative burdenMechanismRequirement to issue a right-of-way on federal land, potentially altering the natural landscape and management priorities.ScaleSpecific section of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Supporters argue

Supporters argue that this provision is essential for public safety, providing a critical evacuation route for the Wintergreen community, which currently faces significant challenges during emergencies due to limited access points. They emphasize that the route is for emergency use, minimizing daily impact.

Critics contend

Critics may contend that mandating a right-of-way on protected federal land, even for emergency purposes, sets a problematic precedent and could lead to environmental degradation. They might argue that federal lands should be preserved from such incursions unless absolutely no viable alternatives exist.

Tradeoffs

This provision navigates the tension between ensuring public safety and emergency access for a community versus preserving the natural integrity and management autonomy of federal park lands.

Section 2(2)(A)-(C)

Conditions for Right-of-Way Issuance

mentioned in summarymoderately complex

The bill stipulates three conditions that must be met and reported by the Secretary of the Interior before the right-of-way is issued. These include: 1) completing an evaluation of alternatives that do not cross federal land (including converting existing trails to roads); 2) completing an analysis of expected fire ecology behavior for the proposed right-of-way during a fire emergency; and 3) completing all required reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant federal land management laws.

About this analysis. AI-Generated from the official bill text and available committee reports. Gaps in available data are noted explicitly. Verify important details with the official Congress.gov record.