By Kristina Dumas, Seattle, WA
Submitted on March 1, 2011

To the Editor,

With development threatening one of America’s last inland rainforests just outside of Mt. Rainier National Park, President Obama took action last week to protect Washington’s cherished wild places.

The Obama administration had held 50 listening sessions, including ones in Seattle and Spokane, asking ordinary citizens how best to protect special places like Mt. Rainier. More than 51,000 people in Washington made their voices heard in support of ending development to the Carbon River Valley rainforest near Mt. Rainier by expanding the boundaries of the national park.

Both the administration’s America’s Great Outdoors report and the President’s recently released budget reflect this outpouring of public support by recommending fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which helps expand Washington’s natural treasures like Mt. Rainier.

I urge Senators Murray and Cantwell to follow the President’s lead and vote to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. As evidenced by the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative, people across Washington agree that protecting treasured places like Mt. Rainier National Park transcends party lines and benefits us all.

Sincerely,

Kristina Dumas
Field Associate
Environment Washington