We are very encouraged. The protection of habitat has always been a high priority for Seattle Audubon. The solution has brought all of the parties together to save old-growth forest in Southwest Washington. If Plum Creek and environmentalists can come to agreement, then our delegation should be able to see the value in protecting Fossil and Watch and allocating funds to complete the Exchange. We have now identified biologically important lands both in the I-90 area and on the Gifford Pinchot that need to be brought into public ownership.
Plum Creek is a willing seller.
We hope Congress will help us with the Land and Water Conservation Fund financing. Scatter Creek, Silver Creek, Domerie Creek, and the West Fork Teanaway River. These four valleys represent the largest remaining areas of privately owned ancient forests in Washington state, which will now be protected in public ownership. The land exchange also creates a 15,000 acre wilderness study area bordering the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, where the Forest Service will examine additions to the wilderness and make recommendations to Congress within three years. Also designated in the exchange is the new 5,000 acre Kelly Butte Special Management Area, the first area of protected forest to be established in the Green River valley, source of Tacoma's drinking water.