- Protects over 106,000 acres of roadless national forest land as designated Wilderness.
Wild Sky Wilderness, Photo Courtesy of WA Wild. - Protects approximately 80,000 acres of old growth and mature natural second growth forest, with roughly 14,000 acres of rare low-elevation old growth (below 3000 feet). These diverse, intact forests include many trees 6-8 feet in diameter, 200-250 feet tall and over 300 years old.
- Directly protects over 25 miles of salmon and steelhead spawning streams, and sustains continuing health for many more miles of downstream spawning habitat by protecting critical forested watersheds. The North Fork Skykomish River and its tributaries are home to one of the best remaining strongholds of wild anadromous and freshwater fish in the Puget Sound basin.
- Permanently closes approximately 3 miles of old failing logging roads which are currently passable by motor vehicles. Eliminating these old roads and 13 miles of other old roads which are not passable will help protect and restore critical fish spawning habitat. This will preserve special places in the Wild Sky region such as the upper Rapid River, Trout Creek, and upper North Fork Skykomish River.
West Cady Ridge in the Wild Sky Wilderness. Photo by Steven Fey. - Protects existing opportunities for primitive recreation (summer and winter), fishing and hunting opportunities, as well as trails used by day hikers, equestrians, backpackers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers.
- Provides support for the new economy for local rural towns and communities to take advantage of the abundant recreational opportunities of these areas.
- Protects important habitat for endangered and other sensitive species, including: northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet, bald eagle, mountain goat (including winter range), pine marten, pileated woodpecker, cougar, wolverine, lynx and grizzly bear.
