Warner, Kaine Applaud Senate Committee Passage of Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s passage of the bipartisan, bicameral Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act , which would issue a right-of-way to add an emergency route and road to enhance public safety in Wintergreen, Virginia . The legislation now heads to the full Senate. It passed the House of Representatives earlier this year. “Wintergreen residents and visitors only have one road to enter and exit, creating a serious public safety risk in the event of a natural disaster or another crisis,” said the senators. “We’re glad that the Senate advanced our bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help pave the way for a new road in and out of Wintergreen and improve safety. We urge the full Senate to pass it and send it to the President’s desk to be signed into law.” Wintergreen is a popular tourist destination off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Nelson County, but it has only one entrance and exit road, creating a serious safety risk for residents and visitors during a natural disaster or emergency. Specifically, the Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act would direct the Secretary of the Interior to authorize the construction of a new emergency route while minimizing the disturbance on National Park Service land. ###