I too would like to express my disagreement and displeasure with the Pilchuck Audubon Society’s opposition to the rebuilding of the Mountain Loop Highway. Accessibility is what is needed to provide recreational access to the ever-growing Puget Sound region. It makes no sense to not rebuild a road that has been in existence, I am told, for more than 100 years. Like the Cascade River road in the North Cascades National Park, it offers the casual visitor a true taste of wilderness while providing access to excellent camping and hiking opportunities.
But what is more disturbing is that by not rebuilding that road, another wilderness area has been created, which I always thought was the role of Congress. If you look at a current Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest map you will see this road is surrounded by three wilderness areas (Boulder River, Henry Jackson and Glacier Peak) and hopefully a new fourth one to come, namely Wild Sky.
Policies enacted over the past 30 years have pretty much destroyed the historical job base of Darrington. This road gives that community something to build commerce around.
Katherine Johnson of the Audubon Society should not lecture the rest of us about the common good. I think she will find a varying degree of disagreement in that area!
This issue had been a distraction from what should be our main effort – the creation of Wild Sky. I would encourage the public to contact the Mount Baker National Forest and Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Rep. Rick Larson to express your opinions.
Stephen Reinig
Marysville
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