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Environment

Wilderness bill clears major hurdle in House

7 March 2007

The House Natural Resources Committee today approved legislation that would establish the first new wilderness area in Washington state in over twenty years.

Blocked for years by the panel's Republican chairman, the Wild Sky Wilderness Act was one of the first seven bills to get cleared by the committee under Democratic control.

"I've seen firsthand the beauty of this wilderness from the summit of Mount Baring and I'm proud legislation to protect it cleared an important hurdle today," said House Natural Resources Committee member and Wild Sky cosponsor U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) during the panel's proceedings today. "Finally, the will of Washingtonians is prevailing."

First introduced by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in 2002, the Wild Sky Wilderness Act would designate over 106,000 acres of national forest in east Snohomish County as wilderness. It is unique in that it protects thousands of acres of low-elevation old growth forest and 25 miles of salmon streams, while still making the land available and accessible for recreational use. The area is located near Seattle - within 90 minutes of 2.5 million people.

"We've reached the pinnacle of a long hike," said Larsen. "Getting Wild Sky legislation through the House Natural Resources Committee is like arriving at the summit of Mount Fernow. I'm looking forward to the celebration at the end of the trail."

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-W.V.) added, "I stated earlier this year that Wild Sky was the highest wilderness priority for the Natural Resources Committee.  I am pleased that the committee favorably reported this measure at its first business meeting, and commend Rep. Larsen for his diligent work in seeing that this wilderness area is protected for future generations to come."

The legislation is expected to get a vote on the House floor in coming weeks.