Hastings' Bill Would Ensure Public Access to Rattlesnake Mountain Summit
Washington,
May 27, 2010 -
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Doc Hastings (WA-04) has authored and introduced legislation that would ensure public access to the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain located on the Hanford Reach National Monument in Benton County, Washington. Click here to watch video of Congressman Hastings speaking about the bill introduction.
“This is about making sure that land the American people own is accessible to them,” said Hastings. “The summit of Rattlesnake Mountain provides unparalleled views of the National Monument, Hanford and the Columbia River that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy. In fact, the only way to appreciate the entire National Monument is from this vantage point.”
Currently, access to the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain is prohibited by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that manages the Hanford Reach National Monument, which was created by President Clinton on June 9, 2000. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is an agency of the Department of Interior.
Hastings’ bill is titled “The Rattlesnake Mountain Public Access Act” and requires the Secretary of the Interior to provide public access to the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain in the Hanford Reach National Monument for educational, recreational, historical, scientific, cultural and other purposes. Under Hastings’ bill, public access would include motor vehicles, pedestrians and other non-motorized transportation methods such as bicycles. The bill does not dictate how and when public access occurs, but does mandate that public access be permitted.
Hastings’ bill also allows the Secretary to enter into agreements with State and local government, and other interested entities, for the purpose of facilitating public access, such as organizing and hosting tours. It also allows such cooperative agreements to maintain an access road to the summit.
“People are permitted to scale the top of Mount Rainier and they should be allowed to the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain. There is no reason why safe, regular and carefully managed access to the summit for the general public cannot and should not be provided,” Hastings declared.
The Rattlesnake Mountain Public Access Act will be referred to the House Natural Resources Committee on which Hastings serves as the top Republican. Click here to read a copy of the bill.
