Bill Would Protect 126,000 Acres on the Olympic Peninsula

Ashley Ahearn reports that Patty Murray, the senior senator from the state of Washington, has introduced so-called “Wild Olympics” legislation, which would permanently protect 126,000 acres of wooded foothills on the Olympic Peninsula.

“If passed by Congress and approved by the president, Murray's proposal would mean no more logging, mining, commercial development or motorized vehicle access on those 126,000 acres of rugged foothills of the Olympic Mountains.”

“It would also designate 19 rivers on the peninsula as wild and scenic. That means no dams or other infrastructure can be built on those rivers.”

Although Senator Murray proposed a similar bill in 2012, failing to gain congressional approval, she believes that momentum is building for the campaign—citing more than 250 peninsula businesses that have signed on to support the bill.