primergray
04-17-2007, 11:40 AM
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003669874_webwildsky17m.html
WASHINGTON — The House today approved a bill creating a Wild Sky Wilderness northeast of Seattle, the first new wilderness area in Washington state in more than 20 years.
The bill, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens, would designate 106,577 acres in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest as wilderness, the government's highest level of protection.
The Senate has approved the Wild Sky proposal three times in recent years, but the plan had never come up for a vote on the House floor. The measure was approved today on a voice vote.
"Wild Sky will protect more low-elevation acres than any other wilderness area in the state, bringing wilderness closer to our communities and benefiting Washington families and businesses for generations to come," Larsen said.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., also sponsored a companion measure to the House bill. The two Democrats say their measure would block development or other economic activity in a sprawling area north of U.S. Highway 2 that includes habitat for bears, bald eagles and other wildlife, as well as streams, hiking trails and opportunities for other forms of recreation.
Environmental groups called the House vote a huge victory for Washington state and supporters of Wild Sky.
"Today's vote is a huge step forward not only for Wild Sky, but for the many Washingtonians who wish to preserve this wilderness for our children and grandchildren to experience," said Michelle Ackermann, regional director of The Wilderness Society.
WASHINGTON — The House today approved a bill creating a Wild Sky Wilderness northeast of Seattle, the first new wilderness area in Washington state in more than 20 years.
The bill, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens, would designate 106,577 acres in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest as wilderness, the government's highest level of protection.
The Senate has approved the Wild Sky proposal three times in recent years, but the plan had never come up for a vote on the House floor. The measure was approved today on a voice vote.
"Wild Sky will protect more low-elevation acres than any other wilderness area in the state, bringing wilderness closer to our communities and benefiting Washington families and businesses for generations to come," Larsen said.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., also sponsored a companion measure to the House bill. The two Democrats say their measure would block development or other economic activity in a sprawling area north of U.S. Highway 2 that includes habitat for bears, bald eagles and other wildlife, as well as streams, hiking trails and opportunities for other forms of recreation.
Environmental groups called the House vote a huge victory for Washington state and supporters of Wild Sky.
"Today's vote is a huge step forward not only for Wild Sky, but for the many Washingtonians who wish to preserve this wilderness for our children and grandchildren to experience," said Michelle Ackermann, regional director of The Wilderness Society.