Press Releases

Today by unanimous consent, the Senate passed S. 404 which would protect the historic Green Mountain Lookout in the Glacier Peak Wilderness near Darrington, WA. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) introduced the companion legislation, H.R. 908.

The bill will now go to the House, where it could be taken up as soon as next week.

“The Green Mountain Lookout is an iconic part of the Pacific Northwest and it holds a special place for Eastern Snohomish County and the Darrington community that has gone through so much these last few weeks. As the community embarks on the long and difficult road to recovery, we must do everything we can to help, including supporting the region’s economy – in this case, it’s critically important outdoor recreation economy,” said DelBene. “I’m grateful by the Senate’s action today, led by Senators Murray and Cantwell, and I’m committed to doing everything I can in the House to pass this bill quickly.”

This legislation is necessary because a Montana-based group filed a lawsuit against the US Forest Service (USFS) for using a helicopter and machinery to repair Green Mountain lookout in the Glacier Peak Wilderness within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.  As a result, a U.S. District Court ordered the USFS to remove the lookout. 

The lookout is an important part of the region, and reflects a unique and vanishing part of the Pacific Northwest’s heritage. It is one of few surviving fire lookouts in the West, and only one of six such lookouts within a Wilderness area. The Washington State Trust for Historic Preservation named it one of the ten most endangered buildings last year, before the court made its decision.