Dear Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell & Rep. Emily Randall 

As hunters, anglers, or guides who hunt & fish on the Olympic Peninsula, we support the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, because it will permanently protect salmon streams on Olympic National Forest for our future & enhance access for Sportsmen. 

Wild Olympics would permanently protect critical habitat, headwaters & salmon streams on Olympic National Forest that are currently threatened by an unprecedented avalanche of attacks on our public lands. Congress & the Administration are attempting to strip protections from Roadless Headwaters & Salmon Streams on Olympic National Forest to open them up to large-scale industrial development & privatization that would decimate salmon runs, elk habitat & the future of hunting & fishing on the Peninsula. Only full, Congressionally-designated Wilderness & Wild & Scenic River safeguards will permanently protect public land & salmon streams for our future. 

Wild Olympics would enhance access without closing any roads. The final proposal removed all roads from the proposed wilderness, ensuring Wild Olympics will not close any roads or affect any road or trailhead access. New wilderness areas proposed for Olympic National Forest could greatly expand the areas open for the early season High Buck Hunt on the Peninsula*. Wild & Scenic River designation not only protects a river’s free flowing character, it also protects & enhances river access, fishing & boating & attracts additional funding for restoration & recreation projects. Please support this balanced plan to protect hunting & fishing on the Olympic Peninsula. (*Confirmed by WDFW)

(cc Local County Commissioners, State & Local Officials)