[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 7, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1715-S1717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself and Ms. Cantwell):
  S. 520. A bill to enhance ecosystem protection and the range of 
outdoor opportunities protected by statute in the

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Skykomish River valley of the State of Washington by designating 
certain lower-elevation Federal lands as wilderness, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today to reintroduce the Wild Sky 
Wilderness Act, a bill to protect some of Washington's most unique and 
remarkable public lands for families today and for future generations.
  For more than six years, citizens, community leaders, groups and 
organizations have worked together with Representative Rick Larsen and 
me to make this proposal a reality. I am proud to offer our bill here 
in the Senate on their behalf. This is the fourth time I've introduced 
this bill, and I'm really excited about finally moving this bill across 
the finish line this year.
  The Wild Sky Wilderness Act reflects the best values of my home State 
of Washington--environmental protection, stewardship of our land, and 
community partnership. It also respects the economic and recreational 
interests of the people of Snohomish County. Our bill will protect an 
important area while keeping it accessible for recreation and enjoyment 
today and for generations to come.
  For many years, I've been concerned by the rapid growth taking place 
in Western Washington. It's no surprise that more people want to live 
and work in the region, but we need to make sure that development does 
not destroy the natural beauty that is such an important part of our 
State's identity and our quality of life. We also need to ensure that 
growth and development do not destroy native species of plants and 
animals that have flourished here for centuries.
  So several years ago, I began to consider new wilderness legislation. 
I learned that we haven't added any new wilderness areas in Washington 
state since 1984. I knew that if we were going to protect public land, 
I wanted to do it in an inclusive way by seeking input from local 
communities and stakeholders and working with them to develop a sound 
proposal. I am proud to say that the fruits of our labor are now before 
the United States Senate. My partner in the House of Representatives, 
Congressman Larsen, and I worked alongside all of the local 
stakeholders every step of the way to select these particular areas in 
the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Forest.
  The Wild Sky Wilderness will protect wildlife and promote clean water 
by preserving the landscapes that host many native plants and animals. 
We can still find many of the species that have historically called 
this area home, but their populations are much smaller today. If these 
animals are going to be here centuries from now, we must protect their 
habitats. This wilderness designation is especially critical for 
threatened species of salmon, steelhead and trout, and it will protect 
the upper reaches of water to ensure prime habitat and clean water.
  In addition, our bill ensures that the public will have access to 
these remarkable, protected places. It's estimated that 2.4 million 
people live nearby in King, Snohomish and Skagit counties. Our bill 
will ensure they have new recreational opportunities in the Wild Sky 
Wilderness. In this hectic, fast-paced time, more and more people and 
their families are turning to outdoor recreation on our public lands. 
This bill will provide new opportunities for the public to use this 
land by directing the U.S. Forest Service to develop a series of hiking 
and equestrian trails.
  In addition to the environmental protections and recreational 
opportunities, the Wild Sky Wilderness Area will be good for the local 
economy. Every climber, hiker, hunter and angler setting out for the 
Wild Sky Wilderness will be stopping at hotels, campgrounds, 
restaurants, and stores in the gateway communities of Index, Skykomish, 
Monroe, Miller River, Startup, Grotto, Baring, Sultan, and Gold Bar.
  Over the years, so many people have worked hard to make this bill 
possible. I can't name all of them, but I do want to recognize one 
great leader who is not with us to see the progress she helped make 
possible, Karen Fant. Anyone involved in wilderness protection knows 
the legacy that Karen has left us through her years of advocacy for our 
state's natural places. Early on, Karen recognized the need to bring 
together and involve local people in efforts to protect wilderness. She 
co-founded and directed the Washington Wilderness Coalition, and she 
was instrumental in forming a statewide community of wilderness 
advocates.
  To those who knew her--and especially those lucky enough to sample 
her famous cookies--Karen provided never-ending inspiration and 
enthusiasm to continue working to protect wilderness and wild lands in 
the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
  I cannot summarize Karen's amazing four decades of service, but I 
think some of her many friends said it best when they wrote:

       ``There are thousands of miles of trails and millions of 
     acres of wilderness that are protected due to her work and 
     the work of others she organized to make a difference. As we 
     walk these trails and gain renewal from these lands, we 
     should all remember the work we shared and the fun and 
     camaraderie we all experienced with Karen.''

  With Karen's passing, we've lost a pioneer in the fight to protect 
our wild spaces, but thankfully she's left a clear trail and a 
generation of inspired, empowered advocates to continue her work.
  I urge my colleagues to help my State take a great step forward in 
protecting our environment, improving recreation and supporting 
economic development by supporting the Wild Sky Wilderness Act.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 520

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Wild Sky Wilderness Act of 
     2007''.

     SEC. 2. ADDITIONS TO THE NATIONAL WILDERNESS PRESERVATION 
                   SYSTEM.

       (a) Additions.--The following Federal lands in the State of 
     Washington are hereby designated as wilderness and, 
     therefore, as components of the National Wilderness 
     Preservation System: certain lands which comprise 
     approximately 106,000 acres, as generally depicted on a map 
     entitled ``Wild Sky Wilderness Proposal'' and dated February 
     6, 2007, which shall be known as the ``Wild Sky Wilderness''.
       (b) Maps and Legal Descriptions.--As soon as practicable 
     after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Agriculture shall file a map and a legal description for the 
     wilderness area designated under this Act with the Committee 
     on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives. The 
     map and description shall have the same force and effect as 
     if included in this Act, except that the Secretary of 
     Agriculture may correct clerical and typographical errors in 
     the legal description and map. The map and legal description 
     shall be on file and available for public inspection in the 
     office of the Chief of the Forest Service, Department of 
     Agriculture.

     SEC. 3. ADMINISTRATION PROVISIONS.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Subject to valid existing rights, lands designated as 
     wilderness by this Act shall be managed by the Secretary of 
     Agriculture in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1131 et seq.) and this Act, except that, with respect to any 
     wilderness areas designated by this Act, any reference in the 
     Wilderness Act to the effective date of the Wilderness Act 
     shall be deemed to be a reference to the date of enactment of 
     this Act.
       (2) To fulfill the purposes of this Act and the Wilderness 
     Act and to achieve administrative efficiencies, the Secretary 
     of Agriculture may manage the area designated by this Act as 
     a comprehensive part of the larger complex of adjacent and 
     nearby wilderness areas.
       (b) New Trails.--
       (1) The Secretary of Agriculture shall consult with 
     interested parties and shall establish a trail plan for 
     Forest Service lands in order to develop--
       (A) a system of hiking and equestrian trails within the 
     wilderness designated by this Act in a manner consistent with 
     the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); and
       (B) a system of trails adjacent to or to provide access to 
     the wilderness designated by this Act.
       (2) Within two years after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall complete a report on 
     the implementation of the trail plan required under this Act. 
     This report shall include the identification of priority 
     trails for development.
       (c) Repeater Site.--Within the Wild Sky Wilderness, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to use helicopter 
     access to construct and maintain a joint Forest Service and 
     Snohomish County telecommunications repeater site, in 
     compliance with a Forest Service approved communications site 
     plan, for the purposes of improving communications for 
     safety, health, and emergency services.

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       (d) Float Plane Access.--As provided by section 4(d)(1) of 
     the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)), the use of 
     floatplanes on Lake Isabel, where such use has already become 
     established, shall be permitted to continue subject to such 
     reasonable restrictions as the Secretary of Agriculture 
     determines to be desirable.
       (e) Evergreen Mountain Lookout.--The designation under this 
     Act shall not preclude the operation and maintenance of the 
     existing Evergreen Mountain Lookout in the same manner and 
     degree in which the operation and maintenance of such lookout 
     was occurring as of the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION FOR LAND ACQUISITION.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized 
     to acquire lands and interests therein, by purchase, 
     donation, or exchange, and shall give priority consideration 
     to those lands identified as ``Priority Acquisition Lands'' 
     on the map described in section 2(a). The boundaries of the 
     Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the Wild Sky 
     Wilderness shall be adjusted to encompass any lands acquired 
     pursuant to this section.
       (b) Access.--Consistent with section 5(a) of the Wilderness 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 1134(a)), the Secretary of Agriculture shall 
     ensure adequate access to private inholdings within the Wild 
     Sky Wilderness.
       (c) Appraisal.--Valuation of private lands shall be 
     determined without reference to any restrictions on access or 
     use which arise out of designation as a wilderness area as a 
     result of this Act.

     SEC. 5. LAND EXCHANGES.

       The Secretary of Agriculture shall exchange lands and 
     interests in lands, as generally depicted on a map entitled 
     ``Chelan County Public Utility District Exchange'' and dated 
     May 22, 2002, with the Chelan County Public Utility District 
     in accordance with the following provisions:
       (1) If the Chelan County Public Utility District, within 
     ninety days after the date of enactment of this Act, offers 
     to the Secretary of Agriculture approximately 371.8 acres 
     within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in the State 
     of Washington, the Secretary shall accept such lands.
       (2) Upon acceptance of title by the Secretary of 
     Agriculture to such lands and interests therein, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture shall convey to the Chelan County 
     Public Utility District a permanent easement, including 
     helicopter access, consistent with such levels as used as of 
     date of enactment, to maintain an existing telemetry site to 
     monitor snow pack on 1.82 acres on the Wenatchee National 
     Forest in the State of Washington.
       (3) The exchange directed by this Act shall be consummated 
     if Chelan County Public Utility District conveys title 
     acceptable to the Secretary and provided there is no 
     hazardous material on the site, which is objectionable to the 
     Secretary.
       (4) In the event Chelan County Public Utility District 
     determines there is no longer a need to maintain a telemetry 
     site to monitor the snow pack for calculating expected runoff 
     into the Lake Chelan hydroelectric project and the 
     hydroelectric projects in the Columbia River Basin, the 
     Secretary shall be notified in writing and the easement shall 
     be extinguished and all rights conveyed by this exchange 
     shall revert to the United States.

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