Jackson did, in fact, reject ‘purity test’

Published 9:00 pm Monday, August 29, 2005

In his Aug. 17 letter, Jim Zielasko expressed disbelief that the late Sen. Henry M. Jackson, one of the authors of the National Wilderness Act of 1964, had rejected the “purity test” argument for denying new wilderness areas. Per his request, here’s just one citation from the Jan. 11, 1973 Congressional Record that should (but, alas, probably won’t) calm the “not-pure-enough” chorus of Wild Sky opponents:

“A serious and fundamental misinterpretation of the Wilderness Act has recently gained some credence, thus creating a real danger to the objective of securing a truly national wilderness preservation system,” Jackson said. “It is my hope to correct this false so-called “purity theory” which threatens the strength and broad application of the Wilderness Act.”

Zielasko, however, raises a fundamental question: Does creation of a Wild Sky Wilderness somehow undercut the premium we place on individual freedoms? The farsighted answer is “no.” Preserving Wild Sky, including the disputed 16,000 acres of low-elevation forest, guarantees future generations of Zielaskos and Jacksons the freedom to hike, hunt, camp and enjoy this extraordinary land for decades to come.

PETER H. JACKSON

Everett