Pratt River, Middle Fork get preservation nod
April 15, 2009
By Administrator
Editorial:
Let us add our two cents to the growing wave of support for getting a “wild and scenic river” designation for the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River.
You know the momentum is there when Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Dave Reichert come from Washington, D.C. to stand on the river bank to talk about their efforts to expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area to include the 22,100-acre Pratt River Valley east of the Snoqualmie River and to give the Middle Fork its scenic river designation.
The point of the designation is to protect the area from development and keep it in its wilderness condition. The 11-mile-long Pratt River flows down the western slopes of the Cascades and empties into the Middle Fork, just east of North Bend.
There is no doubt that the official title of “scenic” also gives some marketing opportunities to the Valley in its tourism promotions.
Tourists come to Seattle for the Public Market, a ferry boat ride and a visit to the Museum of Flight. But they don’t get a true Washington experience until they drive to Snoqualmie Falls and the nearby wilderness areas — to stand on a river bank, watch a fly fisherman cast his line as an eagle soars overhead, and take a deep breath of truly fresh air. This is an experience worth preserving.
As North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing points out, “it will be one more jewel in the long list of things to come to North Bend for.” Tourist and outdoor recreation dollars play a big part in the Valley’s economy.
Murray and Reichert warn that the designation won’t come easily, although the plan will not include private property, making it somewhat less controversial. Little of the land has been logged in the last 50 years.
While others in the Washington state delegation are reportedly committed to the cause, it will take the cities, the Chamber of Commerce, students, environmental advocates, and recreation groups to help make the push.
Comments
Got something to say?
