"Conservation Group Makes Huge Land Purchase Near Snoqualmie Pass"

"A conservation group has made the largest private land acquisition in Washington history, purchasing nearly 48,000 acres near the Cascade Mountains' Snoqualmie Pass east of Seattle.

The Nature Conservancy announced Monday it has bought the land from timber company Plum Creek. The land acquisition cost about $49 million.

The 47,921 acres acquired by the Nature Conservancy span both sides of Interstate-90, stretching from Snoqualmie Pass to Cle Elum. The land is home to spotted owls, elk, salmon, and ponderosa pine. It also encompasses the headwaters of the Yakima River."

Courtney Flatt reports for EarthFix/KUOW October 27, 2014.