House Passes Reichert Alpine Lakes Wilderness Legislation
“This is a good day for the people of Washington”
Washington, DC,
Mar 18 -
Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) today applauded the passage of his Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act (H.R. 1769), by the U.S. House of Representatives. Reichert’s proposal passed the House with strong bipartisan support, and marked a significant step toward securing a 22,000-acre expansion of the existing Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area to include important lower-elevation lands and complete watersheds, and the designation of both the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as Wild and Scenic.
“This is what happens when people work together,” Reichert said. “This is a good bill for Washington State, because it creates a place where people can go to hike, bike, and enjoy other recreational activities. And it’s wonderful that we’ll leave such a beautiful area for our kids to enjoy. When I was the Sheriff, this was an area where stolen cars and meth labs existed – it was a garbage dump. Now we’ve cleaned it up and it’s a beautiful and pristine area. That’s something we can all be proud of.
“Today is a good day for the people of Washington, but there’s more work to be done,” Reichert continued. “So today I urge the Senate to quickly consider Senator Murray’s companion legislation so we can protect these beautiful, wild areas for future generations.”
“Today the House has passed new protections for the Alpine Lake wilderness area that will guarantee that this pristine environment is preserved as a legacy and natural resource for generations to come,” said Senator Patty Murray. “I commend Congressman Reichert for his work on this issue in the House. I was proud to sponsor this bill in the Senate, and I will continue working until this important legislation is signed into law.”
BACKGROUND
Reichert, with the support of state and local officials, other local leaders and constituents, introduced the original Alpine Lakes Wilderness protection measure in November 2007. Reichert worked carefully through extensive stakeholder inquiries involving recreation groups, conservationists, tribes, local lawmakers, nearby landowners and public agencies, to ensure that all concerned parties had a voice as legislation was crafted and introduced. At the beginning of the 111th Congress, Reichert re-introduced the bill, which was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 24 with strong bipartisan support. Senator Patty Murray has authored, introduced, and championed companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.
The existing Alpine Lakes Wilderness was designated by Congress in 1976, championed by the late Congressman Lloyd Meeds, and is one of the most visited wilderness areas in the country. It is also one of the closest blocks of wild forests to an urban center in the U.S. and provides diverse recreational opportunities. Key elements of the 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 lands also has the direct effect of protecting a broader array of outdoor recreational opportunities that are easily accessible to wilderness enthusiasts.
• Designation of the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as Wild and Scenic. This permanently protects the rivers’ free-flowing character, water quality, and outstanding recreation, fisheries, wildlife, geological and ecological values. This designation also provides for many recreational activities including unique backcountry hiking, kayaking, and white water rafting – all of which are uncommon to find so close to a major urban center.
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