How public lands bill affects Wash.

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By Associated Press

Story Published: Jan 15, 2009 at 6:20 PM PST

Story Updated: Jan 15, 2009 at 6:20 PM PST

The public lands bill approved by the Senate on Thursday set aside more than 2 million acres as protected wilderness. Here's a look at how the bill affects Washington state:

  • Establishes the Ice Age Floods National Geological Trail through parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana to tell the story of how a series of monumental floods created the area's unique geology. Interpretive centers, signs and markers, exhibits and roadside pullouts would be used to tell the story of the floods along the 600-mile trail. The National Park Service would oversee the trail.
  • Designates the 1,200-mile Pacific Northwest Trail as a National Scenic Trail, which could provide more money for maintenance. The trail stretches from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean and includes the Rocky Mountains, Selkirk Mountain, North Cascades, Olympic Mountains and crosses three national parks and seven national forests.
  • Provides several provisions for studying and protecting coastal areas. One program would examine how greenhouse gas emissions are affecting oceans, including fisheries and food chains, such as Pacific salmon. Another program would administer grants to coastal states to try to acquire and protect significant coastal land for conservation or recreation. The bill also provides for the development of an observation system along oceans and the Great Lakes to help improve weather warnings and enhance homeland security and maritime operations.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

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