Managing Wildlife Populations
State-Tribes Recreation Impact Management: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is working with federally recognized tribes and other state agencies to develop a framework for managing recreation impacts on state lands. Lands Division Manager Wilkerson and Lands Recreation and Planning Manager Sisolak staff this work on behalf of Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Steering Committee met on Sep. 21. Bob Whitener from the Whitener Group has been contracted to facilitate this work and was introduced at the Sep. 21 meeting.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Trail Inventory Projects: Partnership Coordinator Browning and Recreation Planner Andersen continue to meet with land managers to discuss trail inventory projects in the coming year. Trail inventory projects will likely be taking place in Scatter Creek, Cowlitz, Wooten, Columbia Basin, and Wenas wildlife areas. Additionally, trail conditions assessments will be done for specific trails in the Methow and Wenas wildlife areas.
Rulemaking: Planning staff members have been working on the “Illegal Routes Rule” and will be presenting the draft language to the tribes during the first week of October. This rule will make it possible for Enforcement to write citations for anyone creating or constructing unauthorized routes or structures on WDFW lands.
Designated routes: Planning staff members are working with Director of Tribal Affairs Jim Woods and Cultural Resources Division Manager Kat Kelly to develop a plan for temporarily designating roads and trails that the land managers have historically recognized and maintained for the public.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Signage: Kiosk maps are being developed for Region 5 and Region 3 lakes. Two other kiosks for the wildlife areas are also being developed. The statewide prioritized kiosk list is now completed so wildlife area and water access area managers can have a rough idea of when to expect bulk kiosks.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Planning: The final draft L. T. Murray Wildlife Area management plan is complete. The plan is undergoing final review by Wildlife Director Gardner, Wildlife Deputy Director Cope, and Lands Division Manager Wilkerson. The plan will be presented to Director Susewind for final approval and signature in early October.
Cowlitz Wildlife Area Planning: The planning team convened in September to review information obtained through both internal and external scoping. A field visit was conducted on the wildlife area between Tacoma Power Representative Russell, State Forester Pfeifle, and members of the planning team to discuss future forest management on the Peterman Ridge Unit of the Cowlitz Wildlife Area. A second forestry field trip is scheduled for November to visit other units of the wildlife area.
Providing Education and Outreach
Ambassador Program: The Ambassador Program had its final day of programming on Sep. 16. Browning had a debrief with Washington Trails Association (WTA) to hear about takeaways from the seasonal staff. Another debrief is scheduled for next month with WTA and WDFW staff members.
Lands Advisory Group Strategic Planning: To diversify participation and increase support from local communities, the Lands Advisory Group strategic plan will provide statewide improvements and identify opportunities to enhance the roles of advisory committee members. These recommended changes will benefit staff members and community experiences while increasing public involvement in land management practices. Staff members will engage internal and external stakeholders in this planning process which is expected to continue through 2025.