Honoring the Methow headwaters

Sen. Brad Hawkins sent this bulletin at 04/10/2019 11:12 AM PDT

April 10, 2019

Congratulations to Methow Headwaters Campaign

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The Methow Valley is truly a special place and one that should be cherished and protected. That’s why I offered my full support over the past several months to the Methow Headwaters Campaign to protect the Methow Valley from future exploratory drilling and mining. Very few grassroots efforts have garnered the nearly universal support that we have experienced for protecting the Methow Valley. It is a testament of what can be accomplished when we all work together.

As your state senator, I am incredibly proud to represent the Methow Valley. It is indeed a special part of our 12^th District. Over the past several months, I have utilized my office to share my support to federal officials at the Department of the Interior, U.S. Forest Service, and Congress. I was also honored to participate in the visit from the Bureau of Land Management last summer. Throughout the process, I have admired the community spirit of Methow Valley residents and the tireless work of the Methow Headwaters Campaign.

The remarkable Methow headwaters has now been preserved for future generations.

Federal legislation brings a successful outcome

This multiyear effort to protect the Methow headwaters has not been an easy one. As you know, after receiving a temporary two-year halt to further exploratory mining in 2016, the campaign hoped to receive a 20-year mineral withdrawal through the BLM. Unfortunately, the deadline for approval passed last December without the BLM taking final action.

Fortunately, the Methow headwaters advocacy team had also collaborated with federal elected officials, including Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, and Congressman Dan Newhouse. The Methow Headwaters Protection Act was later introduced and eventually included in a larger public lands package recently approved by the U.S. Congress. The package specified the permanent withdrawal of 340,079 acres in the Methow headwaters area from new mineral exploration and mine development.

I could not be more pleased with this outcome and congratulate everyone in the Methow Valley on the success of this effort. Visiting the Methow with my family is one of my favorite things to do. I’m thrilled that this beautiful part of Washington will be preserved for future generations to visit and enjoy.

Senate resolution honoring the Methow Community and Headwaters Campaign

On April 9, I honored the success of the Methow Headwaters Campaign with my colleagues through Senate Resolution 8638. You can review the language of the resolution below or by clicking here. I could not be more proud of the way the Methow Valley community came together on this project. As your community prepares for your April 20^th celebration, please know that the Washington State Senate celebrates and honors the beautiful Methow Valley.

My Senate Resolution 8638 honoring the Methow Headwaters Campaign.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your state senator.

Sincerely,

Brad Hawkins

State Senator Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District
E-mail: brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov

Website: senatorbradhawkins.org

107 Newhouse Building - P.O. Box 40412 | Olympia, WA 98504-0412
(360) 786-7622 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

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