The effort to expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and designate the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as federally-protected Wild and Scenic continues in Washington, D.C.
The Senate's Public Lands and Forests subcommittee held a hearing Oct. 29 on the subject, which was raised by legislation submitted by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.
A similar bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash.
Murray submitted testimony to the subcommittee supporting the expanded the bill.
If passed, the bill would make a low-elevation river valley into federally-protected wilderness.
It would be the first such protected area so close to a major city.
Giving the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie and Pratt Rivers the designation of Wild and Scenic Rivers would protect their free-flowing character.
North Bend city officials have supported the protections, as the areas offer a wide array of outdoor recreational activities.
The city is beginning a marketing campaign to attract more outdoor enthusiasts to its shops.
Murray touted the bill's estimated economic benefits to the subcommittee.
"Even during the tough economy of the last several years, outdoor industry retail sales have stayed strong.
That means more people are going out more often into our wild lands and the gateway communities that serve them," she said.
The bill would add 22,000 acres to the 392,000-acre Alpine Lakes Wilderness area, which was created by Congress in 1976.
A half-mile corridor on either side of the Pratt and Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie Rivers would also be protected.
