Feds Take First Step To Open Rattlesnake Mtn. To Public

A House subcommittee has moved to put forth a bill that would be the first step in opening up public acess to Rattlesnake Mtn.

The House Natural Resources Committee has unanimously agreed to pass the bill proposed by Rep. Doc Hastings.  The 3600 foot peak is the highest elevation in the Mid Columbia region, but has not been publicly accessed since 1943, when it was seized by the Federal Government as part of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.  The bill would allow public access for the purposes of science, recreation, cultural and other public uses.  Hastings had said if the public can be allowed access to Mt. Ranier, why not Rattlesnake Mtn?