New Conservation Voices
Earth Ministry: A Faithful Conservation PartnerEarth Ministry, a non-profit organization located in Seattle, is in the unique position of connecting faith with the work of the environmental movement. Many religious traditions have a strong heritage of valuing the natural world, and Earth Ministry works to inspire and motivate people of faith to act on those values.
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SENATE COMMITTEE PASSES IMPORTANT LEGISLATION TO PRESERVE NORTH CASCADES TREASURES
Bills to Preserve Additions to Alpine Lakes Wilderness and Portions of the Pratt River,
the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River and Illabot Creek as Wild and Scenic
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. Supporters praised and thanked
Senator Murray for her leadership on and continuing support of the
Alpine Lakes Wilderness additions and the Wild and Scenic River
designations in the North Cascades. Designation of the proposed
additions would protect wildlife habitat for salmon, cutthroat trout,
elk, and other endangered or threatened species and would help to
ensure the biodiversity of the region.
 “This is a great day for Washington State and for celebration of
our great national treasure, the North Cascades. Generations to come
will thank our Washington state delegation for their efforts to ensure
the future of Washington’s remaining wildlands and wild and scenic
rivers,” said John Chelminiak, North Cascades Initiative Director for
The Wilderness Society. “This legislation recognizes and preserves key
recreation opportunities in the North Cascades for more than three
million people in the region and enhances our communities by
contributing to their economic vitality.”
“This is an exciting time for wilderness supporters,” said Tom Uniack,
Washington Wilderness Coalition’s Conservation Director. “We applaud
Senator Murray’s continued leadership to preserve these amazing places
for all Washingtonians to experience and enjoy. This is a major step
toward the final passage of this important legislation.”
The existing Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area is one of the most
popular wilderness areas in the United States. It is readily accessible
to the large population centers of the Puget Sound region as well as to
growing eastside communities. Visitors are drawn to the Alpine Lakes
Wilderness Area for its superb recreation opportunities, which include
climbing, backpacking, dayhiking, snowshoeing, and Nordic skiing. The
protection and enhancement of these recreation opportunities provided
by this bill are essential to the economic stability of many small
towns throughout the region.
“The Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area is one of Washington’s most treasured
icons,” said Donald Parks of the Alpine Lakes Protection Society.
“Senator Murray is taking the leadership to continue the work that was
started with the original Alpine Lakes Wilderness designation by adding
important protections to rare low elevation old-growth and mature
forests, fish habitat, and multi-season recreational opportunities.”
The proposed Alpine Lakes legislation would also designate 10 miles
of the Pratt River and nearly 30 miles of the Middle Fork of the
Snoqualmie River as Wild and Scenic Rivers. This designation ensures
the protection of clean water resources for residents of the region, as
well as safeguarding critical wildlife habitat. The Pratt and Middle
Fork Snoqualmie rivers offer high quality water-based recreation,
including world-class fishing and whitewater paddling.
"Few rivers anywhere in the country can match the quality of the
recreational resources the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie and the Pratt
provide for our communities," said Thomas O'Keefe, Pacific Northwest
Stewardship Director for American Whitewater. "As someone who has
explored hundreds of river miles across the country and around the
world, I can confidently say that we have some of the most spectacular
river resources of any place in the world. Protecting the Middle Fork
Snoqualmie and Pratt Rivers under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is an
important step toward preserving recreational opportunities for hikers,
fishermen, and paddlers desiring rare opportunities for solitude and
exploration close to downtown Seattle."
 Illabot Creek, a tributary of the Skagit River, contains
significant low elevation habitat and supports runs of 6 different
species of salmon and trout which support the eagles in the Skagit
River Bald Eagle Natural Area, an incredible natural and tourism
resource for the region. “Today we celebrate along with other
supporters from Skagit County government, recreation, and business
organizations as we move one step closer to permanent protections for
this magnificent resource,” remarked Bonnie Rice, Associate Director
River Protection Program for American Rivers.
“Senator Murray and Congressman Reichert have found common ground
and worked to protect it,” said Jon Owen, Deputy Campaigns Director for
Campaign for America’s Wilderness. “They have continued the proud
bi-partisan tradition for protecting wilderness in Washington state.”
Conservationists applaud Senator Murray for her bipartisan
collaboration and leadership on these important pieces of legislation
and recognize the leadership, along with Senator Cantwell and
Representatives Dave Reichert and Rick Larsen. These additions to the
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area and the designation of new Wild and Scenic
Rivers protect remaining wilderness and critical wildlife habitat while
ensuring future recreational opportunities and vibrant local
communities.
“Thanks to Senators Murray and Cantwell’s leadership these
beautiful and valuable areas are one step closer to being protected for
future generations,” said Mark Lawler of the Cascade Chapter - Sierra
Club. “We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Murray to
protect our low-elevation forests and free-flowing rivers in the
spectacular North Cascades region.”
Alpine Lakes Press Release from Senator Patty Murray
Illabot Creek Press Release from Senator Patty Murray
More Information on Aline Lakes protections
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