Number: 1981-34
WHEREAS, Mt. Saint Helens in Southwestern Washington, in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, was once a most beautiful volcano cone, but on May 18, 1980, there was a tremendous volcanic eruption which changed the mountain’s total appearance; and
WHEREAS, there was an unbelievable amount of destruction to forests, wildlife, streams, scenery, recreation, and, probably, volcanic activity will continue for an indefinite period of time; and
WHEREAS, land in the immediate area affected by the volcanic blast belongs to private landowners, industry, the State of Washington, Department of Natural Resources, and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, U. S. Forest Service; and
WHEREAS, it will be an awesome task for many years to properly manage the affected Mt. Saint Helens area, and it will take a highly skilled resource-oriented land management agency to cope with the many land management problems, including wildlife, forests, water, soil, recreation, timber salvage, and fire control;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 26-29, 1981, in Norfolk, Virginia, that the Congress of the United States be requested to establish a “MT. SAINT HELENS NATIONAL VOLCANIC AREA” and this area continue to be managed by the U. S. Forest Service.