DelBene Statement on Alpine Lakes Wilderness and Illabot Creek Legislation Passing the U.S. House of Representatives Today
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today praised the passage of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act (H.R. 361) as well as legislation to designate a segment of Illabot Creek in Skagit County as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (H.R. 829) in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY15 (H.R. 3979). The bipartisan bills were a part of a large package of public lands bills that were included in the NDAA after negotiations between both parties. The NDAA passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 300 to 119 and is expected to be voted on by the U.S. Senate soon.
DelBene issued the following statement:
“For years, there has been a broad coalition of stakeholders from our region who have fought tirelessly to protect these important public lands, and I am thrilled that these bills were adopted by the House today. With the inclusion of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness expansion bill, we will be preserving one of the most popular and most beautiful outdoor destinations in the country. Passing the Illabot Creek Wild and Scenic bill means we will ensure the preservation of significant wild lands that are home to several threatened species.
“The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is particularly special because of its proximity to a major metropolitan area. It provides a place for countless residents and tourists to camp, fish, hike and enjoy some of the most spectacular open spaces that the Northwest has to offer. In addition to being important to local wildlife habitat, people have come to Illabot Creek for generations to hunt, fish and recreate. This legislation will preserve these opportunities for generations to come. Protecting these lands is crucial to supporting outdoor recreation, which generates $22.5 billion in consumer spending each year and is responsible for 227,000 jobs in our state. I want to thank Senator Patty Murray for her leadership on both of these bills, Congressman Dave Reichert for his work to make the expansion of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness a reality, Congressman Rick Larsen for being such a strong partner on the Illabot Creek bill and the entire Washington delegation who, thanks to their support, have been instrumental in getting us this far.”
The public lands section of the bill includes legislation affecting public lands across the country, encompassing more than 245,000 acres of new wilderness, and new or increased protections for more than 1 million acres of public lands.
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