Commentary on Geothermal Development in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Area

North Fork Nooksack River, photo by Thomas O’Keefe

Washington Wild coordinated a letter signed by 14 elected officials and conservation and recreation groups raising concerns about which areas of the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest (MBS) should be allowed for potential geothermal leasing and surface impacts.

The MBS is responding to requests from the Bureau of Land Management to grant consent to lease 60,097 acres of nominated parcels of national forest lands for geothermal exploration and development.

The areas within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest are some of the last remaining spaces of connected wildlife habitat and old growth forests. These are also places where significant resources have already been invested to restore watersheds for healthy fish populations and clean drinking water for our communities.

Washington Wild supports the efforts to responsibly develop renewable energy resources to mitigate climate change and recognizes the importance of geothermal energy in these efforts. However, these developments are not appropriate everywhere and should not be made at the cost of important lands managed for conservation.