Senator Cantwell (D-WA) Moves for Wild and Scenic on Upper White Salmon

On Thursday, August 7th, Senator Cantwell (D-WA) will hold a press conference announcing the introduction of legislation to designate approximately 20 miles of the Upper White Salmon River in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest as part of the National Wild and Scenic River System. Maria Cantwell's bill will be the Senate companion piece of legislation complimenting Congressman Brian Baird's (D-WA-3rd) introduction of similar language in the House earlier this year.

The White Salmon river is located in South-Central Washington in Baird's district. Strong constituent support is required if we want to see serious action on this legislation. Letters that communicate your personal interest in the White Salmon and the Wild and Scenic River program would still be very helpful in making this happen. If you have the opportunity, please be sure to thank Senator Cantwell and Representative Baird for their hard work. If passed, this Wild and Scenic legislative protection will be an economic boon to the regional economy and raise the standard of living in the district.

American Whitewater, American Rivers, Friends of the White Salmon, and many additional groups have been working to extend Wild and Scenic status on the Upper White Salmon. Our hard work, and the work of volunteers like Tom O'Keefe, is beginning to bear fruit. The introduction of Wild and Scenic language in the House and Senate did not just happen; instead, this was the culmination of hundreds of hours of work by dozens of people who care passionately about the White Salmon and the region it is in.

if passed, designation would include a total of 20 combined river miles on the main stem and Cascade Creek, including:

The 1.6-mile segment of the main stem of the White Salmon River from the headwaters on Mount Adams downstream to the Mount Adams wilderness boundary (WILD).

The 5.1-mile segment of Cascade Creek from its headwaters on Mount Adams downstream to the Mount Adams Wilderness boundary shall be administered as a wild river (WILD).

The 1.5-mile segment of Cascade Creek from the Mount Adams Wilderness boundary downstream to its confluence with the White Salmon River (SCENIC).

The 11.8-mile segment of the main stem of the White Salmon River from the Mount Adams Wilderness boundary downstream to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest boundary (SCENIC).

If passed, the White Salmon River would be the first wild and scenic river to be designated in the state of Washington since 1986. There are currently three other wild and scenic rivers in the state: the Lower White Salmon River, the Klickitat River, and the Skagit River. Washington has relatively few miles of designated Wild and Scenic river considering the number and quality of river resources in the state.

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Press Event: Announcing Upper White Salmon Legislation

DATE: August 7, 2003

TIME: 1:30 pm - 3:00pm

LOCATION:

US Forest Service Building
10600 NE 51st Circle
Vancouver WA

CONTACT:

Roger Peterson, Deputy Press Officer, USFS 360-891-5007

ATTENDEES:

Dean Hostetter, Farm B&B in Trout Lake
Mark Zoller, Zoo Rafting Company
Phyllis Clausen, Friends of White Salmon
Pat Arnold, Friends of White Salmon
Troy Dinter, Lamiglass Fishing Rods
Joanie Thomson, Friends of the Gorge
Craig Pridemore, Clark County Commissioner
Jason Spadaro, SDS Lumber (invited)
Jim Moeller, State Representative
Janice Harte, Business Development Specialist WSU/Vancouver
Keith Jensen, Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe (and AW Regional Coordinator)

MORE INFORMATION:

Extending Wild and Scenic River Status on the White Salmon River
White Salmon River (WA) BZ Access
Lower White Salmon Wild and Scenic River
Green Truss Bridge to BZ Corners
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Warner Road Bridge to Green Truss Bridge (AKA "Farmlands" Section)