Wild Olympics Act Designates 126,000 Acres of New Wilderness and Protects 19 Rivers in Washington State

The “Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act” is a major piece of conservation legislation focused on the Olympic National Forest in Washington State. Simply put, this bill takes about 126,554 acres of federal land and permanently sets it aside as new or expanded wilderness areas, and it adds protection to nearly 19 different river systems by designating them under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

This isn't just about drawing lines on a map; it’s about locking in the management of these areas for the long haul. For anyone who uses these federal lands—whether for recreation, work, or just enjoying clean water—this bill provides certainty about what’s protected and what the rules are going to be for decades to come. Crucially, the bill explicitly affirms that existing Tribal treaty rights and any pre-existing private property rights or contracts are completely unaffected by these new designations (Sec. 4, Sec. 5).

The Wilderness Lockbox: What Changes on the Ground

If you’ve ever hiked or camped in a designated wilderness area, you know the drill: no motorized vehicles, no logging, and minimal human impact. This bill dramatically expands that protection, adding thousands of acres to existing areas like Buckhorn and Wonder Mountain Wildernesses, and creating entirely new areas like the 7,159-acre Lost Creek Wilderness (Sec. 2). This means that land management agencies, specifically the Secretary of Agriculture, must manage these areas under the strict rules of the Wilderness Act.

For the average person, this means a permanent guarantee that these areas will remain undeveloped and pristine, offering a true escape from the modern world. For businesses that rely on resource extraction, however, this is a clear signal: the federal land within these new boundaries is officially withdrawn from claims under mining, mineral leasing, and geothermal energy laws (Sec. 4). This effectively closes the door on future resource development on these specific federal parcels, prioritizing conservation over extraction.

River Protection: Keeping the Water Clean

Beyond the forests, this Act is a huge win for water quality and river ecosystems. It adds significant segments of 19 different river systems—including the Elwha, Dungeness, and Quinault Rivers—to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (Sec. 3). These rivers are classified into three types: "Wild" (most protected, essentially pristine), "Scenic" (largely undeveloped but accessible), and "Recreational" (more accessible, some development nearby).

This designation has two major real-world impacts. First, it places strict limits on new dam construction or water projects that could change the river flow, meaning the water stays where it is and flows naturally. Second, it allows the managing Secretaries (Interior or Agriculture) to authorize restoration activities aimed specifically at ecological recovery or helping endangered species (Sec. 3). If you live downstream or rely on these watersheds for clean drinking water or fishing, these protections are a big deal, ensuring long-term ecological health.

Implementation and the Fine Print

To make this all work, the Secretary of Agriculture has a deadline: they must update the management plans for the affected National Forest lands within three years (with a potential extension up to five years) to incorporate these new wilderness and river designations (Sec. 3). This is the bureaucratic process that formalizes the protections and dictates the day-to-day management.

One interesting detail involves the management of threats like wildfire and disease. The bill gives the Secretary the authority to take “necessary steps” to control these issues within the new wilderness areas, provided they follow existing guidelines in the Wilderness Act (Sec. 2). While this is crucial for protecting the surrounding communities and forests, it’s a provision that relies heavily on the Secretary’s judgment to determine what actions are truly “necessary” within a protected wilderness setting.