Cascadia Marine Trail Study Act

Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, this bill simply provides for a study of feasibility of adding the Cascadia Marine Trail to the National Trails System.

This trail is entirely a water-based trail, extending from the Canadian border through the San Juan Islands, Puget Sound and south to our State capital of Olympia. Significant portions of this trail run through the waters of my district. It includes 2,300 miles of shoreline and 55 safe pullouts right now for camping areas of non-motorized, beachable watercraft.

Thousands of people have the potential of enjoying this trail. It was added as a national recreation trail in '94, and the Canoe Association designated the trail as an ACA-recommended water trail in 2005.

We know it's a beautiful spot. I've been there. I encourage everyone to give it a go. It gives users unique opportunities to see eagles, orca, otters, porpoises, and whales. It's quite a place to be, but we do think it's an appropriate study to consider its inclusion in our National Trails System given the national notoriety and publicity that this will entail, and it will allow people to really know about the trail.

I want to thank Chairman Rahall and Subcommittee Chairman Grijalva for their work to move this forward. I would like to also acknowledge the National Park Service office in Seattle for their technical assistance. I want to thank my constituents who have been working on this now for at least two decades, particularly the Washington Water Trails Association, especially Don Crook, Reed Waite and Julie Anderson for their efforts, and John Kuntz, with the Olympic Outdoor Centers, and the Kitsap Paddle Club for their leadership.

It is supported by the Washington Water Trails Association, the National Parks Conservation Association, the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, and the Washington State Parks.

I want to thank the Speaker, Mr. Larsen, for cosponsoring this bill, and I can guarantee anyone who will enjoy this national water trail that it never rains in Puget Sound.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1641) to amend the National Trails System Act to provide for a study of the Cascadia Marine Trail, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the Puget Sound region of Washington State combines tremendous scenic beauty with numerous historic sites. Boaters and kayakers traveling these waters are surrounded by spectacular mountains and abundant wildlife.

Through 15 years of diligent work by local advocates and volunteers, 54 campsites on a 150-mile route along the coast now constitute the Cascadia Marine Trail. The pending measure would authorize a study of this trail for its potential inclusion in the National Trails System. So, by all accounts, this trail is certainly worthy of this consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I commend our colleague, Representative Jay Inslee, for his hard work and for his dedication to this legislation. I support the passage of H.R. 1641, and urge all Members to do so as well.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee).

Mr. Speaker, I, again, urge Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1641 has been adequately explained by the majority. As the current trail is being operated successfully at a local level, we are not aware of the need for this legislation.

Apparently, though, some believe there is a compelling need for Federal involvement where Americans paddle kayaks in the Puget Sound. As this bill provides for a study of the federalization of these water trails, possible objections will likely be held until the study is completed and until actual Federal control is to be proposed.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.