Wildlife Areas

October 2010 Update Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Wildlife Area HCP The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are informing interested parties of the proposed Wildlife Area Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to gather public input that will facilitate the development of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Learn more >>

Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is developing a habitat conservation plan (HCP) for activities on state owned and managed Wildlife Areas. The HCP will be a long-term management plan for the conservation and protection of species and their habitats on Wildlife Areas.  

Goals and Benefits

The goals of the Wildlife Areas HCP are to provide federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) assurances for management, operational and recreational activities occurring on state Wildlife Areas, and to thereby contribute to the conservation and recovery of approximately 60 species listed under the ESA.

In addition the HCP will:

•  Integrate guidance from existing WDFW Planning Documents, including Washington's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy; Lands 20/20: A Clear Vision for the Future
• Improve WDFW Wildlife Area Management Plans to include ESA compliant measures.
• Streamline permitting processes for WDFW activities that are implemented with federal funds, and improve WDFW’s eligibility for additional federal funding.

Timelines