Wild Sky Wilderness Act of 2003

H.R. 822, the Wild Sky Wilderness Act of 2003, proposes the designation of approximately 106,000 acres of federal land in the Skykomish River valley of Washington State as a protected wilderness area. This designation would place the land under the highest level of federal protection, prioritizing conservation while establishing a formal plan for hiking trails and public access.

For local citizens and visitors, the bill ensures continued access for specific recreational and safety needs, such as allowing floatplanes on Lake Isabel and authorizing helicopter access for the maintenance of emergency communication repeaters and weather monitoring stations. Additionally, the legislation outlines a process for the federal government to acquire private land within the wilderness boundaries from willing sellers, ensuring that private property owners are compensated at fair market value and maintained adequate access to their holdings.