Balanced approach for wilderness makes dollars and sense
Business leaders in eastern Washington know a good thing when they see it, and many are buying into the innovative direction the Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition is offering for managing the Colville National Forest for communities and wildlife.
Business and community leaders in eastern Washington are signing up in support of the balanced plan that creates a bright future for the Columbia Highlands. Photo: Leif Jakobsen
Business leaders in eastern Washington know a good thing when they see it, and many are buying into the innovative direction the Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition is offering for managing the Colville National Forest for communities and wildlife.
More than 200 regional business leaders to date, including some of the region’s top employers and Spokane’s most powerful people, have added their names to a letter urging Sen. Cantwell and Rep. McMorris Rodgers to support the Coalition’s historic effort to bring balance to our northeastern Washington public forests, including preserving wilderness, maintaining world class recreation trails, and ensuring a stable local timber industry.
Safeguarding natural areas has not been a tough sell for the leaders of major eastern Washington companies who have signed the letter, such as Coffman Engineers, Garco Contruction, Inc., Huntwood Industries, Northwest Farm Credit Services, Sonderen Packaging, and URM Stores, Inc. to name a few.
In their letter, many of the brightest business minds in the Inland Northwest say safeguarding the best wild places makes good dollars and sense:
“Preserving our region’s wilderness heritage makes economic sense. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reports that wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing contribute a combined total of over $2.18 billion annually in Washington State, and outdoor recreation and tourism are a growing part of our economy.”
Business leaders understand that wilderness is an essential piece of a broader recreation strategy that also includes non-motorized and motorized trail systems. This broader strategy attracts tourists, adventure seekers, and retirees, as well as the businesses and industries that grow or relocate to our region from this influx of income. An economic study commissioned by the Coalition concludes that that wilderness and other protected public lands are associated with local economic growth and well-being.
Wilderness also fits perfectly with Spokane’s official motto, “Near Nature. Near Perfect.”
Rich Hadley, president and CEO of Greater Spokane Inc., Spokane’s only Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council, added his name to the letter of support for the Coalition. GSI's website describes Spokane as providing an ideal balance of economic success and recreational bliss nearby. Spokane is indeed the perfect base for an extraordinary array of outdoor adventures in potential wilderness areas of northeastern Washington. Recreation and tourism are important to our economy, and wilderness provides a unique, increasingly rare, and highly sought-after recreational experience.
Business leaders recognize that the Coalition's commitment to collaboration means more for all in the future.
Spokane County Commissioner Mark Richard, another signer, has this praise for the Coalition: “The ability to find common ground on the management of our forests and wilderness areas has secured the coalition’s name as a leader in advancing this region’s quality of life, economic prosperity, and the safety of our citizens.”
Jim Riley, president of Intermountain Forest Association, added, “As someone who relies on our natural resources to do business but also appreciates the wildlife and wild places that make this region so special, I’ve never understood why we couldn’t find a middle ground and have both. The Coalition’s leadership has given us that opportunity to maintain a vibrant timber economy and safeguard special places like the Kettle Crest.”
A productive collaboration and a balanced plan created by the community for the healthy future of northeast Washington: Former Spokane County Commissioner and top Himalayan climber John Roskelley looked to this positive future as he added his support to the Coalition's letter,
“Now that the Forestry Coalition has increased timber management on the Colville for so many years, isn’t it about time to get some wilderness protected?”
If you would like more information about adding your name to the letter addressed to our legislators supporting the Coalition’s historic effort, please contact me at 509.570.2166 or crystal@conservationnw.org.
