Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) to designate Illabot Creek in Skagit County as a Wild and Scenic River.  The legislation will protect the free-flowing character of Illabot Creek, an important habitat for threatened wild Chinook salmon, steelhead, bull trout and other wildlife, while maintaining recreational opportunities such as hunting and fishing. Murray and Larsen’s legislation has broad local support from elected officials, conservationists, fishermen, agriculture, and other stakeholders.

“A Wild and Scenic designation for Illabot Creek will protect this critical habitat for salmon, eagles and other species while preserving fishing, hunting and recreational opportunities for future generations,” said Larsen. “Our legislation has strong support in Skagit County and I look forward to working with Senator Murray, my partner on this issue in the Senate, to make Illabot Creek ‘Wild and Scenic’.

“I applaud Representative Larsen’s work to move Illabot Creek protection another step forward in Congress, he’s been a great partner to work with on this and so many issues,” said Senator Murray. “Preserving Illabot Creek means protecting stream flows and water quality - resources that are vitally important to the many fish and wildlife that depend on the creek.  For years, volunteers have dedicated their time to protect this delicate habitat. I’m proud to be a federal partner in this effort to ensure this pristine creek is protected for generations to come.”

“Amending the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to include Illabot Creek, a tributary of the Skagit River, complements the significant investments that have been made at the local level to protect this special area in addition to the salmon and trout recovery efforts within the Skagit basin,” said Lisa Bellefond of the Nature Conservancy of Washington in her testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee. “This designation would protect water flows and help to ensure that Illabot Creek continues to be a source of cold, clean water to Puget Sound and provide habitat for Steelhead and Bull trout.”

Larsen’s written testimony to the Committee follows:

“Chairman Grijalva and Ranking Member Bishop, I would like to thank you for holding today’s hearing on HR 1593, legislation which would designate 14.3 miles of Illabot Creek in Skagit County in my district as part of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

“Illabot Creek tumbles nearly 7,000 vertical feet from its headwaters in the Glacier Peak Wilderness Area to join the upper Skagit River.  The creek’s waters are cold and clean, providing important habitat for threatened wild Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout. 

“HR 1593 will protect the free-flowing character of Illabot Creek while maintaining recreational opportunities such as hunting and fishing. 

“The legislation before the committee today is the result of a collaborative process involving many local stakeholders. I have received letters of support from local elected officials, environmentalists, fishermen, agriculture, and other community groups. 

“I would like to thank my partner in this effort, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, for introducing companion legislation in the Senate.  Working together, I hope we can protect this critical habitat for salmon, eagles and other species while preserving fishing, hunting and recreational opportunities for generations to come.

“Thank you again for holding this hearing on HR 1593, and for the opportunity to provide this testimony.”

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