Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

US Forest Service
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Contact: Renee Bodine, Office: 425-783-6015. Cell: 425-293-1780

Wild Sky Wilderness Designation

June 5, 2008

Gunn Peak
Photo by: Gary Paull, US Forest Service

After nine years of work and waiting, Washington state's newest federal wilderness was dedicated in May by the U.S. lawmakers, outdoor activists and Forest Service employees who made it possible.

Wild Sky Wilderness in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest encompasses 106,577 acres in Snohomish County near the town of Index, a few hours drive from Seattle, Washington.

Opposition from lawmakers in the House and the Senate blocked the legislation though the years. Then the bill made it through Congress this year and was signed into law by President Bush early in May. The federal wilderness designation is the first in the state in more than 20 years.

"Wild at last, wild at last, thank God almighty, it's wild at last," said Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., to about 60 people attending the dedication ceremony. He was joined by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who helped unveil the new wooden Forest Service sign. They singled out and thanked MBS’s Gary Paull, wilderness and trails coordinator, and Paula James, GIS data services analyst.

The wilderness designation prohibits any mechanized activity, such as using chainsaws, or driving motorcycles, cars and snowmobiles. Mark Rey, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment, spoke at the event, announcing plans to rename a trailhead after the late Jennifer Dunn, the longtime Republican congresswoman from Bellevue who supported Wild Sky.

Additional information can be found on the Wilderness Net web site »

US Forest Service - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Last Modified: Monday, 14 July 2008 at 17:03:47 EDT