{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=1B80D520-9A40-465A-9B53-51C60203F6F4", "Senators Murray, Cantwell Applaud Move to Protect Methow Valley from Mining for Next Two Years", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the Bureau of Land Management announced it will make 340,000 acres in Okanogan County temporarily off-limits to mining while it studies potential impact\r\nMurray and Cantwell will continue to pursue permanent protection of the U.S. Forest Service land near Mazama\r\nValley in Okanogan County attracts more than 1 million visitors annually, boosting local economy\r\nMap here\u00a0\r\n(WASHINGTON, D.C.) \u2013 Today, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) applauded the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for taking a critical step toward protecting the Methow Headwaters in North Central Washington by issuing a segregation notice to make 340,000 acres off-limits to mining for two years while it studies whether long-term protection is warranted. The senators have advocated for permanent protection of the land in order to safeguard the natural resources in the region, including water and salmon, as well as local recreation opportunities.\r\n\u201cThis action is a huge step forward in our fight to preserve and protect our state\u2019s incredible resources for future generations,\u201d Senator Murray said.\u00a0\u201cI am especially grateful to the local community members who have led the charge to protect investments in\u00a0salmon recovery, and\u00a0defend\u00a0tribal treaty rights\u00a0and the region\u2019s outdoor economy. In the coming months and years, I will continue to work with the community and my colleagues in Congress to make sure the Methow Valley is permanently protected from devastating mining operations.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe Methow Valley is too significant to allow mining exploration that threatens our clean water. I'm glad to see the department continuing work on the withdrawal application, and I will stay focused on ensuring the process moves quickly to protect this pristine region,\u201d Senator Cantwell said.\u00a0\r\n\u201cWe enjoy a solid economy in the Methow Valley and its resilience is built on the value of clean air and water,\" said Sam Lucy, owner of Bluebird Grain Farms. \u201cThe administration\u2019s decision to move the withdrawal process forward is a vital step in keeping our valley special and the local economy strong.\u201d\r\n\u201cSupport for action to protect the Methow Headwaters, especially from the business community, is very strong,\u201d said Julie Muyllaert, co-owner of Methow Cycle and Sport in Winthrop. \u201cThe businesses in the valley recognize that our success depends on maintaining the area's spectacular lands, recreational resources, clean water and fresh air. For these important reasons we are committed to\u00a0achieving a mineral withdrawal for the Methow Headwaters.\"\r\n\u201cIt is the town\u2019s obligation to protect our water, the local economy and the well-being of our citizens,\u201d said Twisp Mayor Soo Ing-Moody. \u201cThat\u2019s why this summer the Twisp Town Council passed a resolution supporting the Methow Headwaters\u2019 mineral withdrawal. Today\u2019s announcement\u00a0about the withdrawal is good news that reinforces our efforts on behalf of Twisp residents\u00a0and future generations.\"\r\nIn May, Senator Murray introduced the Methow Headwaters Protection Act of 2016 with Senator Cantwell as an original cosponsor, in order to protect approximately 340,000 acres of the Methow River watershed in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest from potential development of a large-scale mine. The legislation, which was running concurrently with the administrative action announced today, would have withdrawn from mineral entry any deposits that could lead to an industrial-scale mine on the lands, and would protect the headwaters of the Methow River.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=1B80D520-9A40-465A-9B53-51C60203F6F4"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6540889628231525, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}