Washington Senator Patty Murray has proposed federal legislation to protect a broad swatch of land adjacent to Olympic National Park as part of the “Wild Olympics” campaign. The legislation is opposed by logging interests.
Ashley Ahearn reports that Patty Murray, the senior senator from the state of Washington, has introduced so-called “Wild Olympics” legislation, which would permanently protect 126,000 acres of wooded foothills on the Olympic Peninsula.
“If passed by Congress and approved by the president, Murray's proposal would mean no more logging, mining, commercial development or motorized vehicle access on those 126,000 acres of rugged foothills of the Olympic Mountains.”
“It would also designate 19 rivers on the peninsula as wild and scenic. That means no dams or other infrastructure can be built on those rivers.”
Although Senator Murray proposed a similar bill in 2012, failing to gain congressional approval, she believes that momentum is building for the campaign—citing more than 250 peninsula businesses that have signed on to support the bill.
FULL STORY: Legislation Revived To Protect 126,000 Acres Of Olympic Peninsula

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

‘Displaced By Design:’ Report Spotlights Gentrification in Black Neighborhoods
A new report finds that roughly 15 percent of U.S. neighborhoods have been impacted by housing cost increases and displacement.

Nevada and Utah Groups Oppose Public Land Sell-Off Plan
A set of last-minute amendments to the budget reconciliation bill open up over half a million acres of federally managed land to sales.

More Than a Park: A Safe Haven for Generations in LA’s Chinatown
Alpine Recreation Center serves as a vital cultural and community hub in Los Angeles' Chinatown, offering a safe, welcoming space for generations of Chinese American residents to gather, connect, and thrive amidst rapid urban change.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions