Daniel J. Evans Wilderness

Daniel J. Evans Wilderness
IUCN category Ib (wilderness area)
From Hurricane Ridge
Map showing the location of Daniel J. Evans Wilderness
Location Olympic National Park, Washington, USA
Nearest city Port Angeles, Washington
Coordinates 47°45′N 123°30′W / 47.750°N 123.500°W / 47.750; -123.500Coordinates: 47°45′N 123°30′W / 47.750°N 123.500°W / 47.750; -123.500
Area 876,669 acres (3,547.75 km2)
Established November 16, 1988
Governing body U.S. National Park Service

The Daniel J. Evans Wilderness is a 1,370-square-mile (3,500 km2) protected area comprising over 95% of Olympic National Park in Washington State. It includes 48 miles (77 km) of Pacific Ocean coastline. It is the largest wilderness area in Washington. Elevation ranges from sea level to 7,980 feet (2,430 m) at the peak of Mount Olympus. Mount Olympus has the third largest glacier system in the contiguous United States.[1]

From 1988 to 2017, it was known as the Olympic Wilderness. The protected area was renamed in honor of Governor and U.S. Senator Daniel J. Evans in 2017.[2] During his tenure in the U.S. Senate, Evans co-sponsored the 1988 bill that created the state's national wilderness areas.[3]

Wild Olympics bill

In 2015, the Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 2015 was proposed by Senator Patty Murray and Representative Derek Kilmer, who represents the area.[4] The proposed legislation "would protect as wilderness 126,554 acres of federal, national forest land surrounding Olympic National Park, and put 19 rivers and major tributaries into the nation’s Wild and Scenic River System".[5] According to the Oregonian, "the wilderness designation would permanently protect old growth and ancient forest habitat throughout the region. The wild and scenic rivers designation would add federal recognition to the outstanding river systems on the peninsula, protecting them as a source of clean drinking water and helping to keep Puget Sound clean for generations. This designation does not restrict private property rights."[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Olympic Wilderness". Wilderness.net. The University of Montana. Retrieved 20 Feb 2013.
  2. ↑ Landers, Rich (December 7, 2016). "Olympic Wilderness re-named for Sen. Dan Evans". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  3. ↑ Ollikainen, Rob (August 18, 2017). "Ceremony marks change of name to Daniel J. Evans Wilderness". Peninsula Daily News. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Wild Olympics Campaign". Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "The Wild Olympics: The next step in a half-century of preserving wild Washington?". Strange Bedfellows -- Politics News. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "Wild Olympics, scenic rivers act introduced in Congress". OregonLive.com. Retrieved 18 April 2016.


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