We applaud Chairman Wyden and the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests for hearing testimony today on the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Wild Pratt River Act. This marks a great step forward in protecting this "backyard wilderness" and ensuring the region's clean water and healthy environment.
Only an hour's drive from Seattle, Alpine Lakes provides world-class recreational opportunities for hiking, camping, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. It is also a critical habitat for cutthroat trout, elk and mountain goats.
The existing 394,000-acre Alpine Lakes Wilderness is one of the nation's most popular wilderness destinations, however some of the region's most important low-elevation forests still lack wilderness protection. These additional roadless lands include incredible glacier valleys, beautiful snow-capped peaks, old-growth forests and strong native trout runs.
We commend Senator Murray for her leadership on this legislation to protect 22,100 acres of wilderness and designate nearly 40 miles of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt Rivers as Wild and Scenic.
