Olympic Wilderness
| Olympic Wilderness | |
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IUCN category Ib (wilderness area)
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From Hurricane Ridge
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| Location | Olympic National Park, Washington, USA |
| Nearest city | Port Angeles, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°45′N 123°30′W / 47.750°N 123.500°WCoordinates: 47°45′N 123°30′W / 47.750°N 123.500°W |
| Area | 876,669 acres (3,547.75 km2) |
| Established | November 16, 1988 |
| Governing body | U.S. National Park Service |
Olympic 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) peak of Mount Olympus. Mount Olympus has the third largest glacier system in the contiguous United States.
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. 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". 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."
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Wikipedia