Vermont Wilderness Act of 2006

"If well managed, the Green Mountain National Forest will remain one of Vermont's most precious environmental treasures, while continuing to support our state's economic and recreational needs for generations to come."

- Senator Jeffords' Statement, April 6, 2006

Click here for the text of
the Vermont Wilderness Act of 2006

Senator Jeffords' Congressional Record Statement

Vermont Delegation's Press Release

Click here to view charts regarding the acreage of the Green Mountain National Forest and wilderness areas.

Delegation Proposal - North Half Map
Delegation Proposal - South Half Map

Moosalamoo National Recreation Area (Map)

Recognizing the recreational appeal of the expanse surrounding Mount Moosalamoo in the northern half of the Forest, the Vermont delegation proposes to designate this 16,890-acre region the 'Moosalamoo National Recreation Area'. Miles of trails for hiking, biking, snowmobiling, and a variety of other outdoor activities have drawn tourists to Moosalamoo from across the United States and around the globe.

Glastenbury Wilderness (Map)

The new Glastenbury Wilderness comprises 28,491 acres of mostly hardwood forest, with a mix of open and forested wetlands, upper mountain slopes and low mountains and hills. Unique ecological features include habitat for Bicknell's thrush and the Lost Pond Slope, a high quality example of red spruce-northern hardwood forest in the southern Green Mountains. The primary trail to the summit of Glastenbury Mountain is excluded from the wilderness designation in order to preserve it for snowmobile use and rescue access to this area.


Joseph Battell Wilderness (Map)

Encompassing 12,437 acres in the northern half of the Forest, the new Joseph Battell Wilderness honors a historic champion of public land in Vermont, who bequeathed the core of the affected lands, as a park, in 1911. The area contains a chain of several mountain peaks over 3,000 feet in elevation, including Mount Horrid, which serves as a nesting area for peregrine falcons. The steep slopes along this ridge give way to the headwaters of Goshen Brook and Sucker Brook, eventually descending into a variety of lower slope wetlands.


Breadloaf Wilderness Additions (Map)
The Breadloaf Wilderness, currently 21,151 acres, was established in 1984. Multiple additions totaling 4,223 acres will enable the Forest Service to better manage the Breadloaf Wilderness.


Lye Brook Wilderness Additions (Map)

The Lye Brook Wilderness, currently 15,814 acres, was established in 1975 and expanded in 1984. An expansion of 2,171 to the north of Stratton Pond will incorporate a substantial portion of the headwaters of the Winhall River into the Lye Brook Wilderness. These headwaters have been indentified as candidates for Wild and Scenic Rivers designation in the 2006 forest management plan. This parcel contains several unique features, including a high quality example of a shallow emergent marsh system and the Stratton Meadow Bog, both of which host a number of sensitive plant and bird species. Stratton Pond is excluded from the wilderness in recognition of its popularity as a recreation site and an intensity of use not compatible with wilderness.


Peru Peak Wilderness Additions (Map)

The Peru Peak Wilderness, currently 7,047 acres, was established in 1984. Two separate additions contribute a total 797 additional acres to the east and south of Pete Parent Peak. These areas contain the headwaters of Griffith Brook and a riparian zone and basin around Mount Tabor Brook, as well as low mountains and forested hills.


Big Branch Wilderness Additions (Map)

The Big Branch Wilderness, currently 6,505 acres, was established in 1984. The 42-acre addition proposed for the Big Branch Wilderness Area belongs to the 'Vermont Escarpment' area spanning the western slope of the Forest along Route 7. This ecologically unique corridor is home to rare plant communities and makes a substantial contribution to the overall biodiversity of the Forest.



Green Mountain National Forest