Senator Murray played a critical role in establishing the Hanford Reach National Monument, pushing legislation and advocating for President Clinton to designate the Reach as a National Monument
The Reach—which encompasses more than 196,000 acres of land and the last free-flowing stretch of the Columbia River—is home to sacred Tribal sites, rare plants and animals, and endangered salmon
The Seattle Times: WA national monument, made in 2000, is still protected by this family
***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL HERE***
Richland, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, gave keynote remarks at the 25th anniversary celebration for the Hanford Reach National Monument at the REACH Museum, organized by the Hanford Reach Citizens Committee. Senator Murray helped make the Hanford Reach National Monument a reality decades ago, championing legislation to designate Hanford Reach as a National Wild and Scenic River and pushing President Clinton for the National Monument designation the Reach received on June 9, 2000. Earlier in the day, Senator Murray joined a boat tour of the Hanford Reach—in the Can Do III—with Todd Steele, son of legendary conservationist Rich Steele, who dedicated decades of his life fighting to protect and preserve the Hanford Reach.
The Reach encompasses more than 196,000 acres of land, includes the last 51-mile, free-flowing stretch of the Columbia River in the United States, is critical habitat for Chinook salmon, and was the nation’s first U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-managed National Monument. Over 68,000 acres of pristine wilderness are open to the public, offering breathtaking vistas, abundant wildlife, unique flora, and exceptional opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, hiking, and water sport recreation.
“I remember being here 25 years ago, when Vice President Gore took his own trip with us, then stepped off the Can Do II, shook the hands of Rich Steele—who was beaming ear to ear—and announced that President Clinton had declared the Reach a National Monument. I worked hard alongside Rich, and so many other incredible members of the community—including some familiar faces here today—to protect the Reach and make that happen. From pushing for legislation to pushing President Clinton for the National Monument designation. It was a remarkable moment, years in the making. And after the amazing tour I just had with Rich’s son, Todd, the memories are really rushing back. And how could they not? After all, even though a lot has changed over the last 25 years… still one thing that hasn’t changed? The Hanford Reach. And that’s a testament, not just to the huge victory we won that day, but also to the hard work that this community has done every year since to continue preserving and protecting the Hanford Reach,” Senator Murray said in her keynote remarks at the 25th anniversary celebration today. “The heart of what makes this place special has been protected. It still offers dramatic views and clear waters. It still inspires awe and invites reflection. You can still hear the splashing of salmon and steelhead, you can still hear the songs of birds. You can still see an eagle spread its wings or a blue heron standing watch over the water… For 51 glorious miles, the Columbia River still flows free, and wild.”
The Hanford Reach National Monument harbors ecosystems increasingly rare throughout the American West and is home to habitats including riparian corridors, riverine expanses, and upland shrub-steppe. It supports an extraordinary array of life: 44 species of fish (such as the threatened and endangered salmon and trout), 40 mammals, 246 birds, 4 amphibians, 9 reptiles, and more than 1,600 invertebrates. Sagebrush-dependent species like the burrowing owl, sage sparrow, loggerhead shrike, ferruginous hawk, black-tailed jackrabbit, and sagebrush lizard find refuge here, while the expanse of native plant communities—unmatched elsewhere in the Columbia Basin—includes rare species like Umtanum desert buckwheat and White Bluffs bladderpod, found nowhere else on earth.
The Hanford Reach’s more than a dozen culturally and ecologically significant islands, along with the largest Fall Chinook salmon spawning area in the Pacific Northwest, underscore the region’s vital importance to both nature and people. Indigenous communities have called this area home since time immemorial, and their connection to the land continues to shape conservation efforts.
Senator Murray’s remarks at the Hanford Reach celebration are below:
“Thank you, Kevin for that introduction. It is so wonderful to be back at the Hanford Reach.
“My own heritage is here. My grandfather came to this region back in the early 1900’s and my dad grew up here. I remember talking about that with Rich Steele, on my first boat trip up the Reach, and about how unique this place is, with so much history and nature all packed in one scenic river.
“It’s a place where, as historian Richard White once noted, abundant wildlife thrives ‘in the shadows of the reactors and processing plants.’ Not to mention the significant Tribal history as well.
“Fighting to protect this area, to keep it recognizable to how my dad, grandad, and so many other generations past would remember it, that was a way I wanted to give back to this community—even before that boat trip!
“But—as with every passenger on a trip Rich steered—I remember walking away even more motivated. And I remember being here 25 years ago, when Vice President Gore took his own trip with us. Then stepped off the Can Do II, shook the hands of Rich Steele—who was beaming ear to ear—and announced that President Clinton had declared the Reach a National Monument.
“I worked hard alongside Rich, and so many other incredible members of the community—including some familiar faces here today—to protect the Reach and make that happen.
“From pushing for legislation, to pushing President Clinton for the National Monument designation. It was a remarkable moment, years in the making. And after the amazing tour I just had with Rich’s son, Todd, the memories are really rushing back. And how could they not?
“After all, even though a lot has changed over the last 25 years, things have changed across Washington state, and things have certainly changed in Washington D.C., to say the least. Still one thing that hasn’t changed—the Hanford Reach.
“And that’s a testament, not just to the huge victory we won that day, but also to the hard work that this community has done every year since to continue preserving and protecting the Hanford Reach.
“Though, on second thought, there are a few notable changes. First of all, we now have the incredible Reach Museum, which helps tell the story of the river, the Tribes, the wildlife, and the role Hanford played in American history. It’s a wonderful, engaging, and educational addition that helps visitors learn even more about what makes this place so special. And another change? The tours these days take place on the Can Do III—not the Can Do II.
“But the heart of what makes this place special has been protected. It still offers dramatic views and clear waters. It still inspires awe and invites reflection. You can still hear the splashing of salmon and steelhead. You can still hear the songs of birds. You can still see an eagle spread its wings or a blue heron standing watch over the water. You can still spot mule deer tracks, porcupines and lone coyotes on the riverbanks.
“The wildflowers still dot the shores with color in spring and summer. The wind still whips over Rattlesnake Mountain. You can still visit my favorite spot—Murray’s Beach. And the pristine White Bluffs still stand tall and untouched, a monument built by nature. For 51 glorious miles, the Columbia River still flows free, and wild.
“But it’s important to say, just because we won that great battle and finally had the Hanford Reach declared a National Monument, that doesn’t mean it’s been 25 years of roses. It doesn’t mean there haven’t been threats to fight off and it doesn’t mean we have no more fights on the horizon.
“There will always be environmental threats to tackle. Climate change, wildfires, and invasive species. And there will always be new political threats, something we have seen clearly over the past few years.
“In 2017, we fought back a proposal to rescind National Monument designations with the Reach being one potential target. And we recently had to fend off another proposal to start selling off public lands. So, looking at the news, there’s no question there are still threats to the Reach. But, looking around this room, there are also still friends of the Reach.
“And I know, today especially—we are all remembering one of the Reach’s greatest friends, and champions: Rich Steele who we lost a year ago. But Rich’s legacy lives on in so many ways. Through the waters he fought so hard to protect and through his family who are continuing that work.
“I’d especially like to thank Todd, who has taken on one of Rich’s most cherished and impactful roles—tour guide.
“The goal of conservation is always to pass these natural wonders on to future generations, and that’s very much what Rich accomplished—not just passing the Reach onto the next generation but passing on his passion for it as well.
“And it’s not just Todd carrying on the legacy of Riverkeeper. You are not in this alone! Just look around! For one thing, I am as committed as ever to the work we’ve been doing here for over 25 years to protect the Reach. And for another, I know there are so many other champions of conservation gathered here today.
“I specifically want to recognize Karyn and Mike Weimers, who have been tremendous advocates for the monument over the years and worked so hard putting this celebration together.
“But I know there are still many others—far more than I have time to name today. Which is just a testament to how many friends of the Reach there are, and what is possible when citizens come together to protect a cherished landscape.
“I’m honored to be one of those friends as well, to be with you all to celebrate today, and to stand with you all as we continue protecting the Reach so that these anniversaries continue for generations to come.”
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