Senator Cantwell, Western Lawmakers Urge Swift Action on Mining Reform 

Photo Courtesy of Washington DNR

Congress Approves $39 Million for Vital Watershed Restoration

On December 20, Congress passed an appropriations bill which included $39.4 million for urgently needed watershed restoration on national forest lands. The new funding, which was a top priority of the Washington Watershed Restoration Initiative, was championed by Congressman Norm Dicks and Senator Maria Cantwell. The coalition has been pushing for a new annual appropriation for areas where decaying U.S. Forest Service roads contribute to water quality problems, especially to areas that support threatened or endangered species, like salmon and steelhead, and provide clean drinking water for communities.

Focus On 

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions & Wild Pratt River Bill Introduced

Middle Fork Valley
On November 8, Congressman Dave Reichert introduced legislation that will designate additional wilderness adjacent to the existing Alpine Lakes Wilderness area and designate the Pratt River as a Wild and Scenic River. The announcement was applauded by a coalition of conservationists, user groups and local stakeholders who have worked with the Congressman in developing the proposal over the last six months.