Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund 2007 Proposals Received

• Recovery Land Acquisition
• Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition
• Habitat Conservation Planning Assistance

The State of Washington has submitted the project proposals listed below for funding under the 2007 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund.

Washington Department of Natural Resources, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, with assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, reviewed and evaluated the proposed projects and recommended them for funding under the indicated grant program.

We anticipate that some of these potential projects will be selected for a federal grant award by June 1, 2007. All land acquisitions that result, can only be made from willing sellers, for fair market value, based on current appraisals.

Questions or comments about these potential projects may be directed to the associated agency contact.

Project Proposals for the Recovery Land Acquisition Grant Program

Project Name: San Juan Islands Castilleja Conservation
Location: San Juan Island, San Juan County
Amount Requested: $2,347,000
Proposal: Purchase up to 68 acres of habitat to benefit the imperiled golden paintbrush plant (Castilleja levisecta)
State Agency Sponsor - Contact: DNR – Omroa Bhagwandin (360) 902-1059

Project Proposals for the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Land Acquisition Grant Program

Project Name: I-90 Wildlife Corridor Phase III – Keechelus Ridge
Location: Yakima River Watershed, Kittitas County
Amount Requested: $4,191,500
Proposal: Purchase up to 670 acres of forest habitat to benefit bull trout, northern spotted owls, bald eagles, marbled murrelets, gray wolves, grizzly bears, and Canada lynx
State Agency Sponsor - Contact: DNR – Omroa Bhagwandin (360) 902-1059

Project Name: Little White Salmon Corridor – Phase II
Location: Little White Salmon River Watershed, Skamania County
Amount Requested: $4,462,100
Proposal: Purchase up to 491 acres of forested habitat to benefit northern spotted owls and bald eagles
State Agency Sponsor - Contact: DNR – Omroa Bhagwandin (360) 902-1059

Project Name: Ashford Project – Phase Two
Location: Nisqually Watershed, Pierce and Lewis Counties
Amount Requested: $4,826,950
Proposal: Purchase approximately 582 acres of forest habitat to benefit northern spotted owls, marbled murrelets, and bald eagles
State Agency Sponsor - Contact: DNR – Omroa Bhagwandin (360) 902-1059
(Note: this proposal has been removed from consideration for national competition and is expected to be funded with monies remaining from another land acquisition project)

Project Proposals for the Habitat Conservation Planning Assistance Grant Program

Project Name: Washington State Hydraulic Project Approval HCP
Location: Waters of Washington State
Amount Requested: $686,312
Proposal: Develop an HCP to cover approximately 52 aquatic species that may be affected by activities authorized by issuance of state hydraulic project approval permits
Applicant: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
State Agency Sponsor - Contact: WDFW – Jane Banyard (360) 902-2572

Project Name: WDFW Wildlife Area HCP
Location: WDFW-owned lands throughout Washington State
Amount Requested: $575,000
Proposal: Develop an HCP to cover up to 125 species that may be affected by management activities on state-owned wildlife areas
Applicant: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
State Agency Sponsor - Contact: WDFW – Jane Banyard (360) 902-2572

Project Name: Walla Walla Basin Bi-State HCP
Location: Walla Walla Watershed, Walla Walla and Columbia Counties (WA), Umatilla County (OR)
Amount Requested: $547,458
Proposal: Develop an HCP to cover imperiled fish (bull trout and summer steelhead) that may be affected by agricultural and municipal water uses
Applicant: Walla Walla County
State Agency Sponsor - Contact: WDFW – Jane Banyard (360) 902-2572

Project Name: Family Forest HCP for Lewis County
Location: 136,000 acres of privately-owned timberlands in Lewis County
Amount Requested: $350,844
Proposal: Develop an HCP to cover 65 species that may be affected by timber management activities on family forest holdings
Applicant: Family Forest Foundation
State Agency Sponsor - Contact: DNR – Omroa Bhagwandin (360) 902-1059