Senator Murray and Congressman Reichert introduce new Wild and Scenic bill
Building off Statewide Traditions Legislation Will Protect Washington’s Most Popular
Backcountry Recreation Areas
Seattle – Today Senator Murray and Congressman Reichert introduced joint legislation
(“Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection
Act” H.R. 1769 and S. 721) that will help ensure the future of some of Washington’s
most popular backcountry recreation areas by designating more than 22,000 acres of wilderness
adjacent to the existing Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. The legislation will also protect nearly
30 miles of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River and 10 miles of the Pratt River as Wild and Scenic
Rivers. Conservationists and recreationists joined local stakeholders and elected officials in
applauding the much anticipated announcement and praised Senator Murray and Congressman Reichert
for their leadership on Alpine Lake Wilderness expansion and Wild and Scenic River
designations.
“This is an exciting time for wilderness supporters,” said Tom Uniack, Washington
Wilderness Coalition’s Conservation Director. “Like the effort to designate the Wild
Sky Wilderness, this legislation is built on bipartisan and strong local support, which should
serve it well as it moves through Congress.”
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness was designated by Congress in 1976. While this designation was
significant and permanently protected what has become one of the nation’s most popular
wilderness destinations, some of the region’s most important low-elevation forests
including the Pratt, Middle Fork and South Fork Snoqualmie valleys were not included in the
original bill.
“The Alpine Lake Wilderness Area is one of Washington’s most treasured icons,”
said Donald Parks of the Alpine Lakes Protection Society who was also intimately involved in the
original designation of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in 1976. “Congressman Reichert and
Senator Murray are taking the leadership to continue the work that was started in 1976 by adding
important protections to rare low elevation old-growth and mature forests, fish habitat and
multi-season recreational opportunities. These bills are taking an important step towards
completing the work that was started so long ago.”
These areas provide great recreational opportunities for individuals and families to experience.
By introducing legislation to protect these remaining areas Senator Murray and Congressman
Reichert are ensuring these world-class recreational opportunities and clean water and wildlife
habitat will be preserved into the future.
“The Alpine Lakes Wilderness connects the wildlands between Snoqualmie, Stevens and Blewett
passes,” said John Chelminiak, North Cascades Initiative Director for The Wilderness
Society. “This legislation preserves key recreation opportunities for more than three
million people in the region, improves wildlife habitat and enhances our communities by
protecting two river corridors. Future generations will look back on this measure as one of the
most significant in our efforts to ensure the future of Washington’s remaining wildlands
for our children and grandchildren.”
In addition to the wilderness protections, the bill will designate the headwaters of the Middle
Fork Snoqualmie including its major tributary the Pratt River as Wild and Scenic Rivers. The
designation will ensure that the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt River are protected for future
generations securing critical habitat for cutthroat trout, elk and many other species. Wild and
Scenic designation will also ensure that the quality of recreational opportunities on these
rivers including world-class hiking and whitewater paddling opportunities will be protected,
while safeguarding clean water resources for hundreds of thousands of local residents.
“We applaud Congressman Reichert and Senator Murray for championing these Wild and
Scenic designations that ensure we will continue to enjoy these wonderful rivers today and for
generations to come,” said David Moryc, Senior Director of River Protection at American
Rivers. “As we’ve seen with other Wild and Scenic rivers in the Northwest and across
the country, this special designation can bring real benefits to local economies and
communities.”
"Few rivers anywhere in the country can match the quality of the recreational resources the
Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie and the Pratt provide for our communities," said Thomas
O'Keefe, Pacific Northwest Stewardship Director for American Whitewater. "Whether it's a
quiet fishing trip after work, a day out with friends on some of the most outstanding whitewater
the region has to offer, or a weekend with the family in one of the most scenic river valleys in
the country, these rivers are tremendous resources for our community."
Washington state lawmakers have built a rich history of working with local citizens to protect a
wild legacy— from former Washington lawmakers Governor/U.S. Senator Dan Evans’ and
Representative Lloyd Meeds championing of the original 1976 Alpine Lakes Wilderness bill to
today’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness additions—ensuring that both recreation opportunities
and intact, healthy ecosystem are preserved for future generations.
"Senator Murray and Congressman Reichert are continuing the proud Washington State tradition
of finding common ground and then protecting it" said Jon Owen, Deputy Campaigns Director
for Campaign for America's Wilderness. "They are adding to the Evergreen state's rich
bipartisan Wilderness heritage."
Conservationists applaud Congressman Reichert and Senator Murray for their tireless work and
leadership on this legislation. Through their consultation processes they have developed a
balanced proposal that protects the remaining wild resources, while ensuring future recreational
opportunities. There has also been strong support from the Washington Congressional delegation.
Senator Cantwell and Representatives Inslee, Smith, Baird and McDermott are original cosponsors
of the legislation.
“Grassroots supporters of the Alpine Lakes country have never given up hope, nor stopped
working to see that additional critical areas would be protected. Today thanks to Congressman
Reichert and Senator Murray’s leadership these special places have a real chance of being
protected,” said Mark Lawler of the Cascade Chapter - Sierra Club. “We look forward
to working with Congressman Reichert and Senator Murray to protect these significant wild
lands.”
Legislation on the Alpine Lakes Wilderness additions was introduced in the previous Congress, but
the clock ran out before any action could be taken. Conservationists are excited by the
additional support and leadership in the Senate and are hopeful it will move forward this year.
Thomas O'Keefe
3537 NE 87th St.
Seattle, WA 98115