Patty Murray: “included within the Manager's amendment to the FY 2000 Interior Appropriations bill is a technical fix to last year's…”

“included within the Manager's amendment to the FY 2000 Interior Appropriations bill is a technical fix to last year's legislated I-90 Land Exchange. The amendment to the legislation was necessary to address to discovery of nesting marbled murrelets on two parcels of Forest Service land originally set to be exchanged to Plum Creek Timber Company. The language in the amendment is agreeable to both the Forest Service and Plum Creek. Other issues, particularly that of potential landslides on parcels of land being transferred to Plum Creek near the town of Randle, Washington, have recently arisen. Members of the community are fearful that if some of these lands are harvested by Plum Creek that dangerous landslides are possible. I believe this a legitimate concern and have begun discussions with the Forest Service, Plum Creek, Congressman Baird and Senator Gorton as to possible solutions. I believe, however, that the land exchange is a benefit to the people of Washington and should proceed as we continue to work on the issue of concern to Randle residents.”