A New Generation of WildernessA Wilderness designation is the strongest and most durable protectionavailable for our public lands -- a safeguard that will withstand eventhe harshest shift in the political winds. WWC is dedicated to promoting protection of wild landscapes as designated wilderness so that we can retain the ecological integrity of our wild lands and pass on a natural legacy to those that follow us.
In Washington state,wilderness has often included only "rock and ice" - high mountain areaslargely above the tree line. Due to lobbying from the timber industry,most lower elevation forest lands have been excluded from beingdesignated as wilderness. In fact, only 6% of designated wilderness in Washington’s National Forestsprotects ecologically critical and more easily accessible low elevationforestlands. It is time for this to change.
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Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt River Proposal
WWC is leading a coalition of conservation and recreation groups that
are working to develop local support for the second National Forest
Wilderness proposal in over 20 years. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and
Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA08) have introduced legislation that
would designate additional Wilderness adjacent to the existing Alpine
Lakes Wilderness area and designate the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and
Pratt Rivers as Wild and Scenic.
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Wild Sky Wilderness
On May 8, 2008, President Bush signed into law the Wild Sky Wilderness Act (H.R. 886/S. 520), as part of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (S. 2739), creating the first new national forest wilderness area in Washington state in more than 20 years. Conservationists praised Congressman Larsen and Senator Murray for their unwavering commitment to Washington’s one-of-a-kind wildlands, and for all of the people who will enjoy this special place now and into the future. The Wild Sky Wilderness Act, became the first national forest wilderness to be designated in Washington State in 24 years.
“From the very beginning Congressman Larsen and Senator Murray have remained truly committed to working with local stakeholders and community leaders to address their concerns and meet their needs while developing a proposal that ensures the future of the Wild Sky Wilderness,” said Tom Uniack, Conservation Director of the Washington Wilderness Coalition. “The new Wild Sky Wilderness is a shining example of what we all can accomplish if we come together and work to ensure the future of this great state.”
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