SULTAN — California Congressman Richard Pombo's first aerial tour yesterday of the proposed Wild Sky Wilderness only reinforced his notion that the national-forest land under debate doesn't qualify for federal protection.

For Snohomish County Republicans, his comments following a 20-minute helicopter ride were fortifying. They want to protect vehicle access to part of the 106,000-acre area, which lies within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Republicans have applauded Pombo's efforts to stall a bill co-sponsored by two Washington state lawmakers that would protect the land under the 1964 Wilderness Act.

The only access that would be allowed under such a federal designation would be by foot, preventing many outdoor enthusiasts from four-wheeling or driving to camping areas.

Local Republicans say at least 13,000 acres of the proposed land has been heavily altered by human use, disqualifying it from being considered wilderness. Pombo said yesterday he has suspected the same thing, and now, after seeing the area firsthand, is convinced.

Since the California Republican became chairman of the House Resources Committee, Pombo has stalled legislation introduced by Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens, that would designate the tract as protected wilderness.

Unless Democrats want to reconsider Pombo's compromise, which would shrink the protected Wild Sky area to 93,000 acres and label the rest as recreation lands, there's little hope the wilderness legislation will get out of his committee.

"I saw a lot of areas with roads and bridges," Pombo said following the flyover. "And that [kind of land] doesn't qualify under the Wilderness Act."

About 300 Snohomish County Republicans gathered at a Sultan farm for a weekday afternoon of barbecue, bluegrass music and campaign politicking applauded his comments. Pombo is traveling through the Northwest for various fund raisers and congressional business, and it took about six months to coordinate his visit to the Wild Sky area.

"We're always looking for allies on this issue," said Jim Donner, a Snohomish County Republican. "But we're a small county with small politics, so this kind of event is hard to put together."

Not all Republicans agree with Pombo. Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, who is co-sponsoring the latest Wild Sky legislation with Larsen, still feels strongly that some measure should be passed to protect the land for future generations, his office said yesterday. Pombo's visit doesn't change that position.

"He's been in favor of Wild Sky since he was elected," said Mike Shields, Reichert's chief of staff. "He's a co-sponsor because he wants to work together on a solution with Democrats who in the past have said it's all or nothing."

The office of Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell, also a proponent of Larsen's bill, viewed Pombo's visit as a political ploy rather than a careful evaluation of the land.

"I think Congressman Pombo's visit was a token gesture so he can continue to stay headstrong on something he made up his mind about a long time ago," said Charla Neuman, a spokeswoman for the Democratic senator. "He's going to continue to ignore moving forward on what nearly everyone in Washington state agrees is a good idea."

As the music subsided, the barbecue pit cooled and campaign donors closed their checkbooks, most Republicans left with smiles on their faces despite the fact the Wild Sky issue is far from resolved.

"This has been a good thing for grass-roots Republicans," said Snohomish County Councilman Jeff Sax, making the most of the Pombo visit for his local re-election campaign. "As far as Wild Sky goes, you haven't seen one of our [Washington] congressional delegates put together an event like this."

Christopher Schwarzen: 425-783-0577 or cschwarzen@seattletimes.com