FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. -- Two Washington lawmakers are hailing a decision by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to include areas of the San Juan Islands on a list of federal lands that deserve permanent protection.
Senator Maria Cantwell and Representative Rick Larsen have introduced legislation in their respective chambers to create a National Conservation Area made up of several dozen prized spots around the Islands.
Larsen says he’s pleased that the efforts of the local community are paying off…
Salazar made his announcement Thursday at a Washington, DC press conference.
Designating the tracts as a conservation area would ensure that about 1000 acres of federal lands would remain in their natural state and open to the public.
