In the News

THE Green Mountain Lookout will be preserved, under a law signed Tuesday by President Obama. Washington lawmakers worked to put this protection in place.

The fate of the U.S. Forest Service fire lookout loomed large. What began in February as a worthy effort to protect a threatened piece of Washington heritage in the Glacier Peak Wilderness took on special meaning after the devastating March 22 mudslide.

The president is scheduled to visit the Oso mudslide Tuesday and meet with families, first responders and community leaders from nearby Darrington. This week, Gov. Jay Inslee directed state flags to fly at half-staff through Tuesday.

The lookout has drawn hikers for decades, and earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places. Reconstruction of the 81-year-old structure prompted a lawsuit for violations of federal wilderness regulations.

The challenge prevailed, and a federal judge ruled the rebuilt fire lookout should be removed. Washington lawmakers went into action to save it. U.S. Reps. Suzan DelBene, D-Medina, and Rick Larsen, D-Everett, teamed up in the House, and U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell took the lead in the Senate.

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