Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act

# Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act Summary **What it does:** This bill would allow the Department of the Interior to create an emergency exit road through the Blue Ridge Parkway to help residents of Wintergreen, a community in Nelson County, Virginia, evacuate during emergencies like wildfires. Before approving the road, the federal government must first complete several studies to ensure it's necessary and won't cause undue environmental harm. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily impacts Wintergreen residents who would benefit from an additional evacuation route, as well as the Blue Ridge Parkway and the surrounding environment. The Department of the Interior would be responsible for conducting the required evaluations and making the final decision. **Key requirements:** Before the road can be approved, Interior must evaluate whether non-federal alternatives exist (such as converting existing trails to roads), analyze how wildfires might behave if the road is built, and complete environmental reviews required by federal law.

This means the bill doesn't automatically authorize construction—it sets conditions that must be met first. **Status:** The bill has passed the House and is awaiting Senate action.