2009-2015 Game Management Plan Development What's going on now? Public Comment Period April 28 - May 30, 2008 for the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) Overview: Starting in June 2007, the Department began updating the 2003-2009 Game Management Plan. This revised plan will guide the Department's management of hunted wildlife for the next six years. The focus of the plan is on the scientific management of game populations, harvest management, and other significant factors affecting game populations. Washington's citizens play a strong role in revising this plan and a variety of public involvement opportunities have been and will be used to solicit ideas. Step 1 - Scoping: We are making an extensive effort to involve the public during every step of this process. As a start, we conducted a public scoping survey. The survey was designed to help identify major issues the plan should address. Thank you for taking the time to respond and providing your input! Results of public scoping questionnaire [PDF Format] Step 2 - Public Opinion Surveys: The results of two recent public opinion surveys are now available. The surveys will help the Department find out public opinion on hunting and wildlife management in Washington. These two surveys were conducted by Responsive Management, an internationally known public opinion and attitude survey research firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues. Final Public Opinion on Hunting and Wildlife Management in Washington Hunters’ Opinions On Wildlife Management And Other Hunting Issues In Washington Step 3 - SEPA Review: Public Comment Period April 28 - May 30, 2008 The Department has published a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS). Please take some time to review the DSEIS and provide your comments. Changes are proposed to the 2003-09 Game Management Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement to update the plan for 2009-15. Strategies that have been accomplished or are no longer a priority have been deleted. New issues, objectives, and strategies are proposed based on public and staff comments gathered over the past several months. New issues with corresponding objectives and strategies have been added. Many of the original issues have been updated or modified based on new information and research, changing priorities, or emphasis. Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, 2009-2015 Game Management Plan - [PDF Format] Comment Form

2009-2015 Game Management Plan Update Timeline Define Preliminary Issues:     - Refine issues: June - August, 2007 Public Scoping:     - Questionnaire: September 10 - October 1, 2007     - Public Opinion Survey: December 2007 Draft Environmental Impact Statement:     - Drafting: September - January     - Review: February - April 2008     - Public Review: May 2008 Final Environmental Impact Statement (2009-2015 Game Management Plan):     - Finalize: June - July 2008     - Review: July - August 2008     - Present to Commission for Review: Aug 2008     - Present to Commission for Approval: Sep 2008 Final 2009-2015 Game Management Plan:     - Available: September 2008 2003-2009 Game Management Plan: Final Documents: Final 2003-2009 Game Management Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement 2003-2009 Game Management Plan Accomplishments - PDF Format [257K]