The Mountaineers
Earlier this week, one of our longtime landscape protection priorities, the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, was reintroduced in the 119th Congress by two members of the Washington delegation. Senator Patty Murray continues to champion this effort in the Senate and freshman Rep. Emily Randall (WA-06) has reintroduced the Wild Olympics bill in the House. The bill protects key recreation areas of the Olympic National Forest through the designation of new Wilderness and the Peninsula’s first-ever Wild and Scenic rivers.
Thanks to years of support from lawmakers and recreationists like you, the Wild Olympics bill has gained momentum over the last several years. Unfortunately, the bill didn’t make it across the finish line last Congress after it was poised to pass at the end of the year in a public lands package. As we reboot our efforts to pass the bill, taking a moment to share your appreciation for these champions for the Olympics will keep this issue top of mind moving forward.
Protecting the Wild Olympics
The Wild Olympics bill would designate the first Wilderness areas on Olympic National Forest in more than 30 years and the first ever Wild and Scenic Rivers on the Olympic Peninsula. The legislation would permanently protect clean water and wildlife habitat while also protecting and expanding world-class outdoor recreation opportunities.
The Mountaineers community leads many trips to the Olympics, including hiking, backpacking, and stewardship activities, and we believe that protecting these beloved areas will ensure visitors can enjoy the lush natural beauty of the Olympic Peninsula for generations to come. Over the past decade, we have worked with a diverse group of partners and coalition members to support Congress in creating more protections for wildlands and scenic rivers surrounding the Olympic National Park where we hike, camp, and explore.
“Wild Olympics is a true grassroots effort that’s been in the works for over a decade - including collaboration from sportsmen, shellfish growers, conservationists, Tribes, local leaders in business and government, timber communities, and more - and I’m proud to be partnering with my friend Representative Randall this Congress to carry it forward. I’m going to keep doing everything I can to build the support and momentum we need to get Wild Olympics passed into law,” shared Senator Murray.
We thank Senator Murray and Rep. Randall for their efforts to champion this legislation and continue the important work of ensuring that future generations of Washingtonians can connect to nature through backcountry recreation in thriving forests and free-flowing rivers on the Olympic Peninsula.
Unfortunately, much of our public lands advocacy over the next two years will be focused on responding to anti-public lands measures, including efforts to sell off federal public lands. As we dig in on that important advocacy in future blogs, it’s important to keep up the momentum to protect the Wild Olympics. The next opportunity to pass a public lands package remains to be seen, but thanks to the efforts of Senator Murray and Representative Randall, the Wild Olympics bill will be ready for consideration when the time comes.
How You Can Help
The next time you’re recreating on the Peninsula, consider spreading the word about the Wild Olympics bill to your fellow outdoor enthusiasts. A great way to do that is by sharing Braided River’s Salmon, Cedar, Rock & Rain. This book immerses readers in the culture and beauty of the Olympic Peninsula, from Native and settler storytellers who each share and cherish this stunning place they all call home.
Senator Murray has shared with us that hearing your support for these protections means a lot, and powers her continued advocacy for the Olympics in Congress. The road ahead might be long, but you can help build momentum by sharing your support for the Wild Olympics bill using our action tool. Together, we can harness our love of the outdoors to further protect one of Washington's special landscapes and the transformative outdoor experiences it provides.
We appreciate the opportunity to advocate for the passage of the Wild Olympics bill with our partners in the Wild Olympics Campaign.
