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Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008

Date: April 29, 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Environment


CONSOLIDATED NATURAL RESOURCES ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - April 29, 2008)

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Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the bipartisan Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, which includes legislation I introduced to create the first new wilderness area in Washington State in over 20 years. The Wild Sky Wilderness will be unique, protecting 106,000 acres of pristine forests and streams in my district, while providing a clean and accessible place to hunt, to fish, and to hike.

My staff first met on this issue on February 20, 2001, 48 days into my first term. And now 2,625 or so days later, we are ready to pass the Wild Sky Wilderness bill as part of the broader bill and send it to the President's desk.

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The Wild Sky Wilderness Act is a carefully crafted piece of legislation that reflects years of community input. It will protect the peaks, the forests, and the lakes of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, as well as thousands of acres of lower-elevation forests and salmon-bearing streams.

The bill has been vetted through a 7-year process of hearings, debate, local town hall meetings. It started out as a much larger bill, but through a series of compromises and through a process of inclusiveness, we came up with the bill that now stands before you today as part of the larger bill. And it would not have been possible without the help of many people here in Congress and in the Second District. Large businesses like REI, smaller businesses like a small bed and breakfast located in Index support this bill. It garners the support of Democrats and Republicans alike in Washington State. But deserving special recognition here in Congress are people like Chairman Nick Rahall and his staff, led by Jim Zoia and Rick Healy. This proposal went through a 7-year process and is soon to become law as it goes to the President's desk.

I also want to thank my partner on the Senate side, Senator Patty Murray. Creating the Wild Sky Wilderness bill would not have been possible without her hard work and strong leadership in the Senate.

So I ask my colleagues today to support the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 and know that when you do that, you will be helping to create the first wilderness bill for Washington State in over 20 years. I urge passage of this legislation.

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