Congressman Dave Reichert

The existing Alpine Lakes Wilderness was designated by Congress in 1976 by the late Congressman Lloyd Meeds and is one of the most visited wilderness areas in the country. It is one of the closest blocks of wild forests to an urban center in the country and provides diverse recreational opportunities. Key elements of the new Alpine Lakes legislation include:

• Providing the protection of the Wilderness Act of 1964 for the lower elevation lands, which will bring a richer diversity of ecosystems, including deeply forested valleys, into the wilderness area and increase its overall biodiversity. The addition of these lower elevation lands also has the direct effect of protecting a broader array of outdoor recreational opportunities easily accessible for wilderness enthusiasts.

• To designate the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as Wild and Scenic, which would permanently protect the rivers’ free-flowing character, water quality and outstanding recreation, fisheries, wildlife, geological and ecological values. This designation provides for many recreational activities including unique backcountry hiking, kayaking, and white water rafting that is unheard of so close to a major urban center.

Reichert, joined by state and local officials, other local leaders and constituents of the community, announced his intention to introduce legislation in August 2007, and introduced the original wilderness protection measure in November 2007. From extensive stakeholder inquiries involving recreation groups, conservationists, tribes, local lawmakers, nearby landowners and public agencies, Reichert worked carefully to involve these stakeholders in discussions as the legislation was crafted and as it was introduced.

Following a long-fought victory to create the Wild Sky Wilderness Area in 2008, Senator Murray continued a tradition of open public process to help protect public lands.  Murray held meetings with stakeholders and a public workshop early in 2009 to discuss the wilderness proposal and hear local community input on the legislation. As a result of those meetings, Senator Murray wrote companion legislation in the Senate and both versions of the bill include the new addition of Wild and Scenic designation for the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River. 

Legislation Text (link) (111th Congress)

Map of Proposed Area (high-res) (111th Congress)

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions

The Case for Wilderness (pdf)

Wilderness Q and A  (pdf)

The Conservative Wilderness Conservation Revival (The Daily Green)

Reichert's bill done right (Seattle Times)

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Founder Remembered as New Wilderness Plans Grow (Mountains to Sound Greenway)

Reichert proposes expanding Alpine Lakes Wilderness (Associated Press)

Reichert has plans for Pratt River (Seattle Times)

Pratt River fans try to protect it as wilderness (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Reichert proposes expanding Alpine Lakes Wilderness (KING 5 and the Associated Press)

Wilderness Areas: A lot to like (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Reichert's Pratt River valley idea is right on (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)