Washington State Department Of Fish And Wildlife
Biennium 2005 - 2007 General Information and Financial Projections

WILDLIFE PROGRAM

Program Purpose and Description

The Wildlife Program is one of five programs in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). There are five divisions within the program: Administration, Game, Wildlife Diversity, Lands, and Science.

Many fund sources comprise the biennial budget for the program. Among them are wildlife and general funds, federal and local funds, and dedicated accounts for the management of specific species (e.g., sheep and moose).

The following is the role of the Wildlife Program:

• To actively manage for healthy, diverse, and abundant fish and wildlife populations and their habitats.
• To promote opportunities which provide the greatest public benefit and the least adverse impact on the resource.
• To promote stewardship partnerships with public, private, and tribal entities.
• To provide quality, responsive service to the public.
• To demonstrate excellence, efficiency, and the use of best available science in land stewardship on Department lands.
• To provide quality and diverse recreational opportunities for the public that are compatible with fish and wildlife needs.

Strategic Objectives

The Wildlife Program's role in accomplishing the Department's mission is to provide credible science for the management and conservation of Washington's wildlife, to manage a statewide network of habitats to preserve, protect and perpetuate a diversity of fish and wildlife, and to provide recreational opportunities and responsive service to the people of the state. The Wildlife Program focuses on meeting the following objectives of WDFW's Strategic Plan, Governor's Salmon Recovery Scorecard and Early Action Plan.

WDFW Strategic Plan Objectives

• Develop, integrate and disseminate sound fish, wildlife and habitat science.
• Protect, restore and enhance fish and wildlife populations and their habitats.
• Ensure WDFW activities, programs, facilities and lands are consistent with local, state and federal regulations that protect and recover fish, wildlife and their habitats.
• Influence the decisions of others that affect fish, wildlife and their habitats.
• Minimize adverse interactions between humans and wildlife.
• Provide sustainable high quality fish and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities while improving the economic well-being of Washington, compatible with maintaining healthy fish and wildlife populations and habitats.
• Work with tribal governments to ensure fish and wildlife management objectives are achieved.
• Provide excellent professional service.
• Develop Information Systems infrastructure and coordinate data systems to provide access to services and information.
• Connect with those interested in Washington's fish and wildlife.
• Provide sound sustainable operational management of WDFW lands, facilities and access sites.
• Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of WDFW through sustainable operational and support activities.

Appraisal of External Environment

Washington supports more than 640 vertebrate species and thousands of invertebrates. Fifty-three of these occur commonly and are hunted or trapped, while 151 are vulnerable, declining, or critical Species of Concern. There are 26 endangered, 11 threatened, and seven sensitive species in Washington, and 107 that are candidates to be reviewed for possible listing. An additional 130 species are monitored for status and distribution to prevent them from becoming endangered, threatened or sensitive.

Habitat loss is the primary factor contributing to the decline for most of the 43 listed species. The rate of loss is outpacing habitat protection efforts such as education, regulation, land management agreements, and public land acquisition. Washington has lost approximately 80% of its original old growth forests and approximately 50% of its native shrub steppe habitat. A significant part of riparian, coastal shore, and wetland ecosystems in Washington have also been lost or altered due to dams, logging practices, conversion, urban expansion, and shoreline development. Grassland and oak woodland habitats have been largely converted and fragmented. The marine ecosystems have been degraded through pollution and harvesting, which has led to the decline and listing of a number of marine species that occur in Washington waters. With Washington's projected rate of human population increase, the continued loss and degradation of these terrestrial, riparian, and marine ecosystems is expected.

As growth expands on the land, wildlife habitat becomes further restricted. Washington has the highest human population density in the northwest. Environmental pollution results from human population increases and degrades the quality of remaining wildlife habitat. This continual habitat degradation has a significant impact on wildlife populations. The result is increased threat of extinction for rare wildlife species, and reduced numbers and distribution of more common species. Healthy wildlife populations directly contribute to the quality of life for the residents of this state, especially for those citizens who enjoy watching, photographing, and hunting wildlife.

In addition to habitat loss, Washington's aging baby-boom population is rapidly changing its recreation demands. Hunting and fishing activity is declining, while wildlife viewing has become the number one outdoor activity in the U.S. Washington ranks fourth in the country in wildlife viewing-related expenditures with minimal promotion or management. Currently, almost $1 billion is spent annually in Washington, mostly in rural areas. Wildlife viewing is an activity that can be sustained into the future for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.