| The United States Congress designated the Washington Islands Wilderness in 1970 and it now has a total of 485 acres. The entire wilderness is in Washington. More than 600 islands, rocks, and reefs comprise Washington Islands National Wildlife Refuges (WINWRs). The islands range in size from less than one acre to about 36 acres, and most drop abruptly into the sea. The three refuges combined in WINWR are 125-acre Flattery Rocks, 300-acre Quillayute Needles, and 60-acre Copalis, stretching from Cape Flattery all the way south to Copalis.Dozens of seabird species (murres, puffins, cormorants, gulls, auklets, petrels, oystercatchers) breed on these fragments of earth and thousands of migratory birds use them as rest stops. The heads of numerous harbor and fur seals, northern and California sea lions, and even whales (including rights, grays, and humpbacks) take turns breaking through the surface of the surrounding water. Sea otters' pleasant faces can often be seen bobbing playfully among the kelp beds.All Of this wild sea-washed land, all but Destruction Island has been designated Wilderness, and all of it is closed to public entry in order to protect the wildlife, which live with great sensitivity to human trespass. In addition, boats are requested to maintain a 200-yard buffer, and aircraft are requested to maintain 2,000 feet above WINWRs lands. |
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