Few wildlife management issues have been so contentious as that of conserving spotted owls. The Wildlife Diversity Division continues to be involved in all significant discussions and negotiations on this species and its habitat. Department biologists have played an important role in the development of state and federal protection rules for this species.With the assistance of many landowners in the state, WDFW has compiled an impressive database on spotted owl nest sites and activity areas.
Wildlife Diversity biologists review Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP's), a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service strategy for conserving habitat on non-federal lands. Several HCP's were completed in 1996 and many other landowners will develop them in the near future. The total land area of adopted and anticipated HCP's is more than three million acres.
Biologists are working directly with landowners to develop Landowner Option Plans, a management avenue made available under the new state Forest Practices rule for spotted owls.
The Wildlife Diversity Division is also cooperating with researchers involved with studies on owl diet and suitability of marginal habitat.