(The Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Hanford Reach National Monument, Manhattan Project National Historical Park

Twenty-five years ago this month, President Clinton used the Antiquities Act to preserve the last free-flowing reach of the Columbia River, flowing past the Hanford Site, as a National Monument. The proclamation details the historical, archaeological, cultural, and ecological value of this 51-mile stretch of river and 196,000 acres of land, citing the presence of rare plant species, important bird habitat, Pleistocene fossils, and evidence of thousands of years of human habitation.

This monument is truly a treasure in our backyard. Though not all areas are publicly accessible, they are protected from uses that would harm their value to the greater community. These lands and waters — once serving only as a safety buffer surrounding the site of plutonium production for instruments of war — are now being protected due to the environmental and historical value that they inherently contain.  

We live at the intersection of several federally protected areas:

These designations are not automatically awarded. In the case of the Hanford Reach National Monument, it took a dedicated team of people with various skills, connections, and interests to persuade our federal officials over the course of decades. Individuals used a wide range of skills, like bird identification, jet boat driving, lobbying expertise, and even artistic expression to contribute to this effort.

The Hanford Reach has a long history of advocates working to preserve it. In one case, someone discovered surveyor stakes in their favorite area of riverbank to explore. Further investigation revealed a plan to dredge the river for barge navigation, a move that would have been disastrous for spawning salmon if they hadn’t put a stop to it. Some of these stories are detailed in REACH Museum’s permanent exhibit Saving the Reach, which includes recordings, media articles, and artifacts.  

Like so many things worth doing, saving the Reach has been a group effort; no one person did this alone. And the result is a National Monument that belongs to us all. Celebrations of this group effort are happening this summer, including an installation of interpretive signs near the boat ramp at Leslie Groves Park, and a free day at the museum July 24. Visit the Monument and see for yourself why this place is worth protecting. 

REACH MUSEUM: visitthereach.us/plan-your-visit