WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE     Print Version
NEWS RELEASE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091

A four-year land management plan for three state wildlife areas in Pierce County will be the focus of an open house Dec. 12 and 13.

The open house, sponsored by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, will run from 5 to 9 p.m., Dec. 12 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 13 at Lakewood Library, 6300 Wildaire Road SW.

The plan under discussion will guide management of 4,575 acres of South Puget Sound Wildlife Area lands located on McNeil, Pitt and Gertrude islands, at the Ohop Farm near Eatonville and at the South Puget Sound Urban Interpretive Center in Lakewood.

The island parcels provide protected habitat for bald eagles, harbor seals and blacktail deer. The farm parcel provides forage, cover and nesting for birds, deer and small mammals.

The Lakewood interpretive center offers a setting for urban residents to learn about prairie, oak woodland and wetland habitats. The plan calls for additional wetland creation, tree planting and prairie enhancements. The center recently was proposed as the WDFW Region 7 temporary headquarters.

Public comments collected at the open house will be considered for inclusion in the plan, which is to be completed by early spring. Copies of the plan are available by calling Cynthia Pratt at (360) 902-2597.

Comments on the plan may be submitted until Jan. 12 and should be addressed to: Neil Rickard, WDFW Habitat Management Program, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia WA 98501-1091.