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Hydraulic Project Approval HCP Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is undertaking an effort to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan for activities permitted under the Hydraulic Project Approval authority (RCW 77.55). This statute is meant to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish and shellfish resources of the state through the issuance of Hydraulic Project Approvals for activities that use, divert, obstruct, or change the bed or flow of state waters. The goals of the HPA habitat conservation plan are to provide federal Endangered Species Act assurances for activities conducted under Washington’s primary fish protection law that protects fish, shellfish, and their habitats; and to thereby contribute to conservation and recovery of species protected under the ESA. In addition, the HCP will: Provide long-term assurances that activities conducted under an HPA comply with the federal Endangered Species Act. Streamline the permitting process for projects that require HPAs and other regulatory permits subject to ESA review (e.g., the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). Provide management strategies for the protection of up to 52 fish, shellfish, and other aquatic species and their habitats. Provide a scientific review of hydraulic project activities to identify the best means of avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating any potential adverse impacts to affected species. Contribute to species conservation and recovery, while continuing to permit development activities that require an HPA. Include a collaborative public involvement process with Washington tribes, federal, state and local governments, and WDFW stakeholders. Development of the Hydraulic Project Approval HCP is a long-term planning process that WDFW expects to continue though 2011. A general project timeline can be downloaded below. Click on table to enlarge Please visit the public involvement page for information on how you can get involved in Hydraulic Project Approval HCP planning. Contact the project at hydraulichcp@dfw.wa.gov