Holiday Gift for Washington Wilderness Enthusiasts
Thanks to a push from Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, legislation that expands Washington Alpine Lakes Wilderess Area moved one giant step closer to completion.
The Proposed legislation received Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approval and now awaits full Senate Confirmation. The legislation includes an Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions as well as protections of the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers. The total package provides protection for 22,000 acres of wilderness adjoining the existing Alpine Lake Wilderness Area, as well as 10 miles of the Pratt River, nearly 30 miles of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, and 14.3 miles of Illabot Creek – a tributary to the Skagit – as Wild and Scenic Rivers.
The bills was simultaneously submitted in the U.S. House by Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash. and Reichert gathered several co-sponsors for bi-partisan support of the bill. The Wilderness Area was designated in 1976 by President Ford. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the United States since it can be accessed directly from Interstate 90, just a few minutes after leaving downtown Seattle. Several million people live within 30 minutes of the remarkable wilderness area.
