Cheers to One of our State’s Newest ORWs, The Cascade River!
Recently, Washington Wild organized a Protect Washington Waters Coalition gathering to celebrate the Cascade River as one of our state’s first Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs). Hosted by our WA Brewshed® Member, Chuckanut Brewery, local elected officials, river advocates, conservationists, and brewers came together to raise a glass for long-lasting protections for one of Washington’s essential rivers.
A component of the federal Clean Water Act (1972), ORW designation allows states to identify pristine waterways that constitute an outstanding state resource due to their exceptional water quality, statewide ecological importance, and/or unique recreational value. As Washington State’s first-ever ORWs, the designation now protects the Cascade, Green, and Napeequa river systems from any future activities or developments that would degrade water quality.
Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) speaks with Owner of Chuckanut Brewery, Mari Kemper
The Cascade River flows for 149 miles through North Cascades National Park and Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest before joining with the Skagit River, which ultimately provides 30 percent of the freshwater that feeds into Puget Sound. The Cascade contributes to one of the most productive strongholds of salmon, steelhead, and bull trout and is crucial in aiding the recovery of the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population. Additionally, the City of Anacortes’ drinking water comes from the Skagit River (which is fed by the Cascade). Local communities eat salmon caught in the Cascade River and swim, recreate, and earn a living from the river and its tributaries.
