Implementation of the Wenas Wildlife Area Mitigation Plan will partially meet Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) mitigation obligation to compensate for losses resulting from the construction of Grand Coulee, McNary and John Day hydroelectric dams. By funding the enhancement and reasonable operations and maintenance of the Wenas Wildlife Area (WWA) for the life of the project, BPA will receive credit towards its mitigation debt. This plan describes the background, management unit history and descriptions, management objectives, present and future landscape conditions, enhancements, operations and maintenance activities (O&M), funding requirements, Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP) results, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities for the Wenas Wildlife Area.

A Vehicle Use Permit is REQUIRED on ALL WDFW Lands Purchase Vehicle Use Permit About Vehicle Use Permit

The primary recreational uses of the Wenas Wildlife Area occur in the winding, narrow Yakima River canyon where steep canyon walls are dominated by frequent red rock outcrops and sparse arid vegetation. Developed recreation facilities include a WDFW access site on Wenas Lake and a BLM access sites along the Yakima River. Trails can be found along the Yakima River and Wenas, Umtanum, and Rosa Creeks and provide recreational access for hiking, hunting, camping, fishing, bird watching and day use. Several state-listed sensitive plants may occur on the area including Basalt Daisy (Erigeron basalticus), Hoover's Desert-Parsley (Lomatium tuberosum), Hoover's Tauschia (Tauschia hooveri).