WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Scenic Rivers Act (S.1254). The historic legislation would permanently protect more than 126,500 acres of Olympic National Forest as wilderness, as well as 19 rivers and their major tributaries—a total of 464 river miles—as Wild and Scenic Rivers. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the committee, celebrated the bill’s passage:
“On the docket and passed was a priority by Senator Murray, Senate Bill 1254, the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. 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.
The Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act would:
- 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. Those rivers are listed HERE;
- Protect and grow existing recreational access on the Olympic National Forest;
- Protect vital river 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 of area residents and provide an estimated $270 million economic impact statewide.
The proposal enjoys strong support from the local community. A compilation of over 800 elected officials, tribes, businesses, and hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation organizations can be found here.
Sen. Cantwell has been a steadfast advocate for protecting national forests, public lands, and supporting the State of Washington’s outdoor recreation economy. Sen. Cantwell authored and championed the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act, which allocated $6.5 billion to address long overdue maintenance projects across America’s beloved national parks. The legislation also permanently and fully funded the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at $900 million annually, and was signed into law in August 2020. In 2023, Sen. Cantwell introduced the bipartisan Recreation for All Act to direct the four primary land management agencies to increase outdoor recreation opportunities.
Video of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks from today’s hearing are available HERE, audio HERE, and transcript HERE.
###