Washington Wilderness Coalition

New Conservation Voices

Celebrating Wilderness

By Doug Scott

We humans use anniversaries as occasions to celebrate and to take stock. Wedding anniversaries and birthdays are obvious examples. As it happens, 2009 has been a year rich in wilderness anniversaries for Washington conservationists to celebrate.

Alpine Lakes Readied for House Vote

Washington DC (02/24/10) — Today Congress takes the next step toward the creation of expanded low elevation wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers in Washington State, in order to protect valuable resources for local communities. Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act (H.R. 1769) passed through the House Natural Resources Committee with strong bipartisan support. Congressman Dave Reichert (WA R-08) along with Senator Patty Murray (WA-D) proposed a 22,000-acre expansion to existing Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area and designation of both the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as Wild and Scenic. WWC continues to work with key local stakeholder to voice the importance of protection, which has played an important role in passage.

Washington Wilderness Coalition Welcomes New Executive Director

Seattle (01/08/10) — Washington Wilderness Coalition is pleased to announce that Nalani M. Askov will be returning as its Executive Director effective January 25, 2010. Nalani previously served on the Board of Directors and as Executive Director for the Washington Wilderness Coalition from 2003-2007. During this time, she lead WWC’s efforts to pass the now designated Wild Sky Wilderness and worked on the initial development of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions proposal, which is currently moving through Congress.

Senate Committee Approves Alpine Lakes and Illabot Protections

Seattle (12/16/09) — Conservationists and recreational enthusiasts celebrated the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approval of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection (S.721) and Illabot Creek Wild and Scenic (S. 635) Acts. These bills will protect an additional 22,000 acres of wilderness adjoining the existing Alpine Lake Wilderness Area, as well as 10 miles of the Pratt River, nearly 30 miles of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, and 14.3 miles of Illabot Creek – a tributary to the Skagit - as Wild and Scenic Rivers.

A House Committee Hearing for Alpine Lakes

Washington, D.C. (11/05/09) — The Pratt and Middle Fork River Valleys are a step closer towards permanent protection. After a Senate committee hearing last week, The Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act (S. 721/ H.R.1769) recently received a hearing in the House Committee on Natural Resources. The legislation would expand the existing Alpine Lakes Wilderness by over 22,000 acres to include important lower-elevation lands and designate two rivers of great importance to the surrounding ecosystem as Wild and Scenic. WWC has played a leadership role in a local coalition that has worked over the last two years with many local stakeholders, including local businesses, elected officials, religious leaders, and recreation and conservation organizations.

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