WDFW seeks your participation in Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Plan

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Photo by WDFW

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will hold a public open house on May 2 to kick off a planning process for the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area in Central Washington.
 

The wildlife area is made up of 13 units of land covering 192,000 acres in Grant and Adams counties. Due to the Columbia River Basin Irrigation Project, the wildlife area is made up of a diversity of wetland and riparian habitats within an agriculturally dominated landscape. This mix of wetlands, shrub steppe habitat, and crops makes the area a hotspot for waterfowl, upland bird, and mule deer hunters. Shrub steppe within the agricultural landscape also provides habitat for priority non-game species such as Washington ground squirrels and burrowing owls.

“The department primarily manages the Columbia River Wildlife Area to provide opportunities for hunting, fishing, and wildlife-related recreational opportunities like bird watching,” said Chad Eidson, wildlife area manager.
 

The open house is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, at Best Western Plus Lake Front Hotel, 3000 Marina Drive, Moses Lake.
 

The Columbia Basin Wildlife Area plan will propose actions for the management of the wildlife area over the next 10 years. At the upcoming open house, the public will be able to talk to individual WDFW staff members about wildlife area history, current management, recreational activities, and the planning process, Eidson said.
 

"We want to hear from the public about how people use this area and what recreation and natural resource values are important to them," he said.
 

Information on the wildlife area is available on WDFW's website.
 

The department is revising management plans for all of Washington’s 33 wildlife areas to reflect current conditions and identify new priorities.
 

WDFW is the state agency tasked with preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish, wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing, hunting and other outdoor recreation opportunities. WDFW serves to protect land and water for wildlife and people. Through active management, the Department provides access, fosters experiences, and preserves natural and cultural heritage.

Persons with disabilities who need to receive this information in an alternative format or who need reasonable accommodations to participate in WDFW-sponsored public meetings or other activities may contact Dolores Noyes by phone (360-902-2349), TTY (360-902-2207), or email (dolores.noyes@dfw.wa.gov). For more information, see https://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation.