Mayors onboard with Valley wilderness protection
April 17, 2009
By Michael Rowe
A small crowd stood on the banks of the Snoqualmie River to hear an announcement by two members of Washington state’s congressional delegation about efforts to protect a wilderness area near Snoqualmie Valley.
The event occurred at Three Forks Natural Area near North Bend on April 10. Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson and North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing were on hand to lend their support to Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Dave Reichert, who plan to protect the Pratt River Valley area and the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River.
The two members of Washington state’s congressional delegation recently introduced legislation in the Senate and House to expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. The proposed legislation would add 22,100 acres in the Pratt River Valley to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. It would also give the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River a wild and scenic river designation. Both measures are designed to protect the area from development and preserve its wilderness condition.
From left, King County Councilman Dow Constantine, American Whitewater Pacific Northwest Stewardship Director Thomas O’Keefe, Sen. Patty Murray, and Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson announce a new effort to get a wild and scenic river designation for the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, and the Pratt River.
“It will be one more jewel in the long list of things for people to come to North Bend for,” Hearing said.
Both Hearing and Larson said that expanding the wilderness area could bring more tourist dollars to their towns, as people come to the wilderness area for recreation. Hearing also said that the area was important to him on a personal level, noting that he used to hunt in the area with his father.
Larson and Hearing said that they were not aware of any opposition to the project.
Murray said that one important reason for protecting the area was that it could provide wilderness recreation opportunities in Seattle’s backyard. She said that the proposal would benefit future generations.
“There is no better way to explain why we need to protect our lands and rivers than to come see them,” said Murray, in a press release about the event. “This is an area that is easily accessible to so many people in our state and region, and yet it represents an escape from everyday and a return to what we value most. Our state has a strong tradition of respecting and protecting our natural environment and I am excited to be a part of this effort to continue that mission. I want my grandson and future generations to be able to enjoy this pristine place. I want to thank all the people who helped make the introduction of our bill possible and look forward to continuing my partnership with them and Congressman Reichert to make this designation a reality.”
It will take a lot of work to get the necessary support in Washington, D.C. to approve the legislation, Murray said. Her work on establishing the Wild Sky Wilderness Area took nine years, and she said that, despite the hard work and energy required, that she was committed to the project.
“Wilderness doesn’t happen because you want it to, it happens because you make it happen,” Murray said.
Reichert related a story about his grandson’s recent interest in a pair of hawks near his home in Auburn, and said that he was drawing his energy for the project from the children’s interest in nature. He said that he hoped the project would not take nine years to complete. He said that he has already begun to plant seeds for the project among his friends in Washington, D.C.
“We’re together today to illustrate our commitment to this effort and the Washington state tradition of preserving our natural resources,” said Reichert, in a press release about the event. “Introducing the bill together was a great moment, but coming together to the area to discuss the proposal gives a deeper meaning to what we’re trying to do in Congress. It’s more than passing a bill in Washington, D.C. — it’s making a difference in the lives of nature enthusiasts, our environment, and those who will enjoy it in the future. I’m excited to be working with Senator Murray and others in the Washington state delegations, and those here today who are committed to this cause.”
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