Originally published Friday, November 16, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Editorial
Reichert's bill done right
The long, legislative slog to create the Wild Sky Wilderness in eastern Snohomish County is a textbook case of lessons learned. Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, paid...
The long, legislative slog to create the Wild Sky Wilderness in eastern Snohomish County is a textbook case of lessons learned. Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, paid attention.
His proposal to expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, east of North Bend, and designate the Pratt River as wild and scenic, has drawn broad praise from local community leaders, politicians and environmental and recreational groups. Every pat on the back is a reflection of the consultations and care that went into drafting his bill. Wild Sky, which awaits action in the U.S. Senate, was patiently put together in the same fashion — a bill done right, as one Idaho congressman noted long ago. But the legislation, shepherded by Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens, and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., faced a monumental impediment, a committee chairman named Richard Pombo, whom California voters disposed of last fall.
Even without Pombo around, Reichert's plan to expand the boundaries of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness needed the patient attention he gave it. A popular 13-mile mountain bike trail was excluded. He checked to ensure there was no conflict with avalanche work near the Interstate 90 pass; the Snoqualmie Tribe weighed in; ski areas were accounted for, as was a busy hot springs.
An expanded Alpine Lakes Wilderness, approximately 22,000 more acres all inside Reichert's 8th District, picks up the lowland forests excluded when the original wilderness was carved out in 1976.
Reichert's proposal burnishes a public treasure that lies within a short drive of a major metropolitan area. Alpine Lakes and Wild Sky demonstrate what can be done, and the attention to detail to get it accomplished.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: A tragic clash of cultures

Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Mourners gathered at KeyArena for the memorial service of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton on November 6, 2009.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Briefs | Soccer: New Mexico suspends hair-pulling player Elizabeth Lambert
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- 3 Cascade Mountain passes close due to snow; more rain, wind expected Sunday
- Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- McGinn pulling away as late ballots come in
- Using anti-shooter tactics, civilian Army police officer brought down gunman
- U.S. House passes health plan
378 - Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
294 - Grading the game
161 - Referendum 71 show's Washington's strategy for marriage equality is working
161 - How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
94 - Beavers open as 10-point favorites against Huskies
93 - Sounders FC-Dynamo playoff Game 2 thread
81 - Game thread: Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks, Nov. 8
74 - Fort Hood shooting suspect had shown troubling signs
74 - Landmark health bill passes House on close vote
62
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- 10 ways to take control of your health
- Tlingit heritage helps glass artist Preston Singletary break new ground
- 10 investing missteps to avoid
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- How do innovators think?
- Danny Westneat | Lee the Horse Logger found slow wagon shrank tumor








