Game management plan development process and timeline

The Game Management Plan (GMP) is written by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff with guidance and final approval from the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC, Commission). The GMP is one document comprised of many chapters, each related to a different game species, species groups, and/or related topics.

Photo by Andrea Nesbitt

Process

The plan development process begins with WDFW staff writing draft chapters for the GMP based on the latest available information. Initial drafts of these chapters undergo broad internal review by Department staff and are also reviewed by the Commission’s Wildlife Committee. The Wildlife Committee will make recommendations to WDFW staff about the content of each chapter, and once these recommendations are sufficiently incorporated, the Wildlife Committee briefs the full Commission on GMP chapter development progress.

This process of writing, reviewing, and briefing the full Commission on draft chapters continues until all draft chapters of the GMP have been finished. Then, the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process begins on the full draft document. A formal public comment period is held as part of the SEPA process, during which the public has the opportunity to comment on the draft GMP. WDFW staff then review and respond to comments received and may modify the document based on those comments.

While members of the public may see early draft GMP chapters presented to the Commission or discussed during Wildlife Committee meetings, formal public comment periods will not take place until the SEPA process begins.

At the conclusion of the SEPA process, WDFW staff will present the final draft GMP to the full Fish and Wildlife Commission for consideration. If the Commission votes to adopt the GMP, the document is final and the development process is complete.

Timeline

This timeline is subject to change. This webpage will be continually updated throughout the GMP development process with the most up to date information. Please check back for updates.

GMP Development Timeline
Date	Action	Notes
2023
Ongoing	WDFW staff work on writing GMP chapters
Late November to mid January 2024	FWC Wildlife Committee reviews GMP chapters prepared by WDFW staff	Chapters submitted to Wildlife Committee at this time include: Overarching Chapter Migratory birds White-tailed deer Elk Predator-Prey
2024
Ongoing	WDFW staff work on writing GMP chapters
Late February	FWC Wildlife Committee members work with WDFW staff to review GMP chapters and incorporate feedback from the Committee	Chapters to be reviewed at this time include: Overarching Chapter Migratory birds White-tailed deer Elk Predator-Prey
FWC Meeting (TBA)	FWC Wildlife Committee briefs the full Fish and Wildlife Commission on GMP chapters	Chapters to be reviewed at this time include: Overarching Chapter Migratory birds White-tailed deer Elk Predator-Prey
Late March	FWC Wildlife Committee reviews GMP chapters prepared by WDFW staff	Chapters submitted to Wildlife Committee at this time will include: Resident game birds Pronghorn Black-tailed deer Bighorn sheep
Early April	FWC Wildlife Committee members work with WDFW staff to review GMP chapters and incorporate feedback from the Committee	Chapters submitted to Wildlife Committee at this time will include: Resident game birds Pronghorn Black-tailed deer Bighorn sheep
FWC Meeting (TBA)	FWC Wildlife Committee briefs the full Fish and Wildlife Commission on GMP chapters	Chapters submitted to Wildlife Committee at this time will include: Resident game birds Pronghorn Black-tailed deer Bighorn sheep
Late May	FWC Wildlife Committee reviews GMP chapters prepared by WDFW staff	Chapters submitted to Wildlife Committee at this time will include: Furbearers, small game, unclassified wildlife Black bear Mountain goat Moose Mule deer Cougar
June/July	FWC Wildlife Committee members work with WDFW staff to review GMP chapters and incorporate feedback from the Committee	Chapters submitted to Wildlife Committee at this time will include: Furbearers, small game, unclassified wildlife Black bear Mountain goat Moose Mule deer Cougar
FWC Meeting (TBA)	FWC Wildlife Committee briefs the full Fish and Wildlife Commission on GMP chapters	Chapters submitted to Wildlife Committee at this time will include: Furbearers, small game, unclassified wildlife Black bear Mountain goat Moose Mule deer Cougar
Summer	Tribes have the opportunity to review draft GMP and engage in consultation if requested
After tribal review	Full Draft GMP undergoes SEPA process	A public comment opportunity will be held as part of the SEPA process.
TBA	SEPA public comment period begins
TBA	SEPA public comment period ends
After SEPA public comment period ends	WDFW reviews and responds to public comments, finalizes draft GMP
TBA	SEPA process concludes
TBA	Fish and Wildlife Commission votes on final draft GMP	If the Commission votes to adopt the draft, the GMP is finalized at this time.