AW Joins Groups in Conserving Key Lands in the Skykomish Valley (WA)
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).
Thomas O'Keefe
3537 NE 87th St.
Seattle, WA 98115