A bill to enhance ecosystem protection and the range of outdoor opportunities protected by statute in the Skykomish River valley of the State of Washington by designating certain lower-elevation Federal lands as wilderness, and for other purposes.
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on August 26, 2003. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Wild Sky Wilderness Act of 2003 - (Sec. 2) Designates certain lands in the Skykomish River valley, Washington, as the Wild Sky Wilderness, to be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture.
(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to establish a trail plan. Authorizes the use of helicopter access to construct and maintain a joint Forest Service-Snohomish County telecommunications repeater site to provide improved communication for safety, health, and emergency purposes.
Allows the continued use of floatplanes on Lake Isabel in the Wild Sky Wilderness, subject to reasonable restrictions.
Provides that such wilderness designation shall not preclude the operation and maintenance of the existing Evergreen Mountain Lookout in the same manner and degree in which the operation and maintenance were occurring as of the enactment of this Act.
(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary to acquire lands in the Wild Sky Wilderness by purchase, donation, or exchange, with priority to be given to specified Priority Acquisition Lands. Requires the boundaries of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the Wild Sky Wilderness to be adjusted to encompass any lands so acquired. Directs the Secretary to ensure adequate access to private in-holdings within the Wild Sky Wilderness. States that valuation of private lands shall be determined without reference to any restrictions on access or use which arise out of designation as a wilderness area.
(Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to accept specified lands within the Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington, from the Chelan County Public Utility District if the District offers such lands to the Secretary (in title acceptable to the Secretary, and provided there is no hazardous material on the site) in exchange for a permanent easement, including helicopter access, to maintain an existing telemetry site to monitor snow pack on land within the Wenatchee National Forest, Washington.
Provides for extinguishment of the easement and reversion of all conveyed rights to the United States if the District no longer needs to maintain a telemetry site.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 108-68.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/29/03 legislative day 07/21/03 with amendments. With written report No. 108-131.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/29/03 legislative day 07/21/03 with amendments. With written report No. 108-131.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 255.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S15865-15872; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S15865-15866; text as passed Senate: CR S15866-15867)
Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S15865-15872; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S15865-15866; text as passed Senate: CR S15866-15867)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
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Received in the House.
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Executive Comment Requested from USDA.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health.