Wild Sky Wilderness Act of 2005

H.R. 851, the Wild Sky Wilderness Act of 2005, proposes the creation of a new wilderness area encompassing approximately 106,000 acres of the Skykomish River valley within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington State. This designation would provide the highest level of federal protection to the land, preserving it for hiking, fishing, and backcountry recreation while prohibiting new road construction and commercial logging.

For local residents and visitors, the bill ensures continued public access by directing the Forest Service to establish a formal trail plan and allowing the ongoing use of floatplanes on Lake Isabel. To balance conservation with public safety, the legislation specifically permits the use of helicopters to maintain essential emergency communications and snow-monitoring equipment. Additionally, the bill outlines a process for the government to acquire private land within the wilderness boundaries from willing sellers to ensure the area remains a contiguous protected habitat.