WASHINGTON D.C. — The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed a bill last week to increase protections over the 126,500 acres of Olympic National Forest.
The Wild Olympics Wilderness and Scenic Rivers Act (S.1254) will permanently protect more than 126,500 acres of Olympic National Forest wilderness, 19 rivers and their tributaries that total 464 river miles.
“This is an important piece of legislation that would designate over 126,000 acres of Olympic Forest as wilderness and protect 464 miles of the Olympic Peninsula by designating it as wild and scenic rivers. So, I very much appreciate this legislation moving out of the committee,” said Sen. Cantwell at the hearing last week.
As this act was passed, here are the specific elements it would protect:
Designate approximately 126,554 acres of land in the Olympic National Forest as wilderness and an additional 5,346 acres as potential wilderness,Designate approximately 464 miles of rivers within Olympic National Park and on nearby national forest and state lands as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System,Create 19 new Wild and Scenic Rivers plus their tributaries (click HERE for the list),Protect and grow existing recreational access on the Olympic National Forest,Protect vital rover and streams throughout the Olympic National Forest with no impact to timber jobs,and protect rivers and streams vital to the future of Washington’s shellfish industry.Washington state shellfish growers support jobs for hundreds or residents and provide about $270 million in economic impact.
800 elected officials, tribes, businesses, hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation organizations supported the proposal of this bill.
With the Great American Outdoors Act, $6.5 billion was allocated to go towards maintenance projects for Washington national parks.
To read the full description of the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Scenic Rivers Act, click on this link.
