Wildlife, water quality and eco-tourism would benefit under legislation proposed Tuesday in Congress to designate nearly 55,000 acres in Southwest Virginia as wilderness or national scenic areas, the bill's sponsors say.

The Virginia Ridge and Valley Act was introduced for the third time in recent years, but its supporters in both parties expect it to pass this year.

"I think we have a far better opportunity with a Democratic Congress, which has always been more protective of our nation's natural resources," said U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon. "I'm very optimistic."

Boucher and U.S. Sens. John Warner, R-Va., and Jim Webb, D-Va., co-sponsored the bill, which has bipartisan support from the Virginia delegation.

The bill now goes to committees in the House and Senate for debate.

The legislation would create six new wilderness areas, one new wilderness study area and two new national scenic areas, and expand six existing wilderness areas in parts of Bland, Craig, Grayson, Giles, Lee, Montgomery and Smyth counties within the Jefferson National Forest.

The new rules would allow hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and other recreational activities.

Timber harvesting, road building, motorized vehicles, mechanized equipment and mountain bikes are prohibited in wilderness areas.

Mountain bikes are permitted in national scenic areas, and limited motorized access would be permitted in certain portions of the scenic areas.

The proposed designations have been endorsed by the Forest Service and the boards of supervisors in the counties where the areas are located.

The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest's 1.8 million acres currently include 101,164 acres of wilderness and 7,700 acres of national scenic area.

The southern Appalachian Mountains have some of the most diverse plant and animal life of any temperate region in the world.

Boucher said the bill would help protect Virginia's natural resources and boost eco-tourism by drawing more outdoors visitors to Western Virginia.

"Southwest Virginia possesses the state's best outdoor experience, with the highest mountains, most interesting rivers and superb hunting, camping, fishing, hiking and backpacking opportunities," Boucher said.

Dave Muhly, a Sierra Club spokesman, said the bill has a better chance of passing this year because legislators are recognizing that most Americans want to preserve public lands.