Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Norm Dicks hit the Olympic Peninsula Thursday, trying to sell locals on a plan to designate more wilderness there. They say their latest bill is a grand compromise, and they’re hoping to convince Olympic Peninsula communities that fought earlier versions. The plan would place 126,554 acres of Olympic National Forest under wilderness protection, with more than 5,000 more to be added later. It would also designate 19 rivers, including the newly-wild Elwha, and seven tributaries, as Wild and Scenic Rivers. Whether they’re turned around public opinion over nearly three years of negotiations remains to be seen. The Peninsula still teems with signs charging a “land grab.”
I think it could also be mentioned that the Peninsula “teems” with people who support this plan, and many more who have no idea what it’s all about. Just because a few opponents can fund large signs doesn’t mean that it is a “government land-grab”. The people that are behind the proposal that Dicks and Murray are backing are long established local people, who passionately care about supporting the Park and it’s environs. These folks have a long record of positive projects that they have worked on. Find me anything in this current political climate that doesn’t have it’s detractors and I’ll show you a non issue 
http://kplu.org/post/olympic-peninsula-wilderness-plan-scaled-back-it-compromise
Filed under: Government, Jefferson County, Olympic Peninsula | Tagged: Clallam County, Olympic Peninsula |
I sent the following message to KPLU this morning on their misinformed report:
In reference to the report this morning referencing the Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 2012 introduced by Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Norm Dicks:
1. The total wilderness acreage as proposed is 126,000 acres, and 19 rivers and their tributaries constituting 464 miles of river on the Olympic Peninsula.
2. The legislation would provide durable, permanent safeguards for the Peninsula’s most priceless natural treasures; our towering ancient forests, free-flowing rivers, critical fish and wildlife habitat and our clean water.
3. Nearly two out of three (64 percent) likely voters support the Wild Olympics plan proposed by Congressman Dicks and Senator Murray. Twenty percent of the district voters polled said they were undecided. Only 15 percent are opposed.
4. Over the past three years, Wild Olympics has been reaching out to Peninsula communities to build support from diverse local voices, listen to concerns and get feedback on our draft proposal. More than 5000 Peninsula residents have written letters or signed our petition, and nearly 200 Peninsula businesses, farms, faith leaders, hunting and fishing groups, elected officials, conservation and civic groups support Wild Olympics.
5. Senator Murray and Congressman Dicks and their staff worked very hard to make sure there would be no net loss of timber jobs.
6. Although the campaign lost one of its main components, the Parks addition, we are fully supportive of the proposal as introduced by the Senator and Congressman.
Perhaps I missed it, but other than a sound byte from Congressman Norm Dicks, I did not hear any proponents being interviewed. Your report would have been more balanced if you would have interviewed someone from our campaign also, not just an opponent. Please feel free to contact me with any current or future questions on the subject.
Thank you,
Connie Gallant
Chair, Wild Olympics Campaign