Efforts Continue to Protect the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt Rivers
Earlier this month American Whitewater was invited as the sole public witness to testify on the
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act. You can read a
copy of our testimony as delivered before the House Subcommitee on National Parks, Forests, and
Public Lands through the link to the right. While no public witnesses were invited to testify
before the Senate, we worked with a number of our partner organizations to submit joint written
testimony which you can view through the link to the right.
The next step for these bills is committee markup followed by action on the House and Senate
floor. The timing will depend on other Congressional priorities but the legislation has enjoyed
strong public support and we remain optimistic that we will see success this Congress.
Opportunities to Take Action
1) Thank the Co-Sponsors. The co-sponsors include both Senators from Washington, 5 Congressmen
from Western Washington, and 2 Congressmen from the Chicago area.
Sen Murray, Patty [WA]
Sen Cantwell, Maria [WA]
Rep Reichert, Dave [WA-8]
Rep Baird, Brian
[WA-3]
Rep Inslee, Jay [WA-1]
Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr.
[IL-2]
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7]
Rep Quigley, Mike [IL-5]
Rep Smith, Adam [WA-9]
If you are represented by any of these Senators or Congressmen a quick note of thanks for their
leadership in protecting the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt would be especially helpful. Be
sure to include the bill number in the subject line and identify yourself as a whitewater paddler
who enjoys the opportunities these rivers provide.
2) Track progress with the legislation.
You can track progress with this legislation through the following links
S.
721
H.R.
1769
3) Support the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) efforts to complement protection
efforts for federal lands with a state designation of a new Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural
Resources Conservation Area. This area will include lands along the river from Russian Butte View
(about 3 miles upstream of the Concrete Bridge) to the Mailbox Peak trailhead (where the pavement
currently ends) including the day use area and river access at Island Drop.
American Whitewater has written a letter in support (view through link to the right) of this
designation which will lead to management of the DNR lands along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie in a
manner that enhances ecological systems and habitat for threatened, endangered and sensitive
plants and animals, while providing opportunities for education and low-impact public use.
Paddlers who enjoy the Middle Fork are encouraged to consider writing a letter of support and
local members of the paddling community should consider attending the public meeting on Monday,
November 23 at 6 pm at the North Bend Railroad Depot, 501 McClellan Street, North Bend, WA to
voice their support. Additional details on can be found on the DNR website <http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ResearchScience/News/Pages/nr09_180.aspx>
Thomas O'Keefe
3537 NE 87th St.
Seattle, WA 98115