American Whitewater recently joined several organizations with an interest in stewardship and conservation of the Skykomish River Valley in requesting that Longview Timber refrain from road building or logging on key parcels in the Skykomish River valley. While we all use the products of the timber industry, we have identified specific parcels that have high value for recreational enjoyment, aesthetic value, and ecosystem services and which we believe should be protected in their undeveloped state. These lands include old-growth forest and due to elevation and other factors they are not the most ideal sites for long-term production of forest products. Several of these parcels are adjacent to existing federal wilderness areas and are eligible for inclusion in those protected areas. Others are along Skykomish tributaries enjoyed by whitewater paddlers including the Foss, Martin, Beckler, Money, and Miller. Some of these rivers have been recommended for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

AW has been part of a coalition of groups working towards conservation of those most highly valued parcels in the Skykomish valley and we hope to work with our colleagues in the conservation community to secure protection of these parcels before they are further developed.

An article on these parcels was recently features in the Seattle Times (read article).