The Chester Butte Unit is in an area extensively affected by glaciation 15,000 years ago; the result is a landscape featuring many examples of glacial deposition, including eskers, kames, drumlins, erratics (haystack rocks) and a terminal moraine. The unit is within the Withrow Moraine and Jameson Lake Drumlin Field National Natural Landmark. Shrubsteppe habitat on this unit supports greater sage grouse, as well as sage thrashers, Brewer's sparrows, sage sparrows, white-tailed jackrabbits and Washington ground squirrels that use the area throughout the year.
The Chester Butte Unit is located 7 miles southeast of Mansfield and 13 miles northwest of Coulee City in Douglas County. The unit can be accessed from Road 9 NE, off of Road L from Douglas County Road L NE.
The Chester Butte Unit is located in a part of the Columbia Plateau that was extensively affected by glaciation. The unit is within the Withrow Moraine and Jameson Lake Drumlin Field National Natural Landmark. Chester Butte is one of the most prominent features within this area. For more information see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withrow_Moraine_and_Jameson_Lake_Drumlin_Field.
This unit is part of the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 254
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Public facility information:
- Two parking areas
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- Cell phone coverage is NOT reliable.
- Douglas County Road 9 NE is an unimproved road and NOT suited for use by sedan or other vehicles with low ground clearance. The road is NOT plowed during winter months and travel is NOT advised. When wet, the road can become impassable. Visitors travel at their own risk.
- Fireworks are prohibited.
- No motorized vehicles are allowed other than at parking areas
- Open fires are not permitted at any time during the year.
- Ticks occur here--observe appropriate precautions.
Hunting
This area is in the Saint Andrews Game Management Unit #254. The primary hunted species on this unit is mule deer. Hunting opportunities for upland game birds is limited.
Hunting advisories
- All lands in Washington State are CLOSED to the taking of greater sage grouse and pygmy rabbits. Small game and upland bird hunters are advised that these are protected species and can be found anywhere on the unit. Hunters should be alert to their presence and be proficient at identifying them.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes shrubsteppe, seasonal ponds and wet meadows, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, white-tailed jackrabbit, Washington ground squirrel, greater sage grouse, Brewer's sparrow, sage sparrow, and sage thrasher.
The Audubon's Great Washington State Birding Trail Coulee Corridor is 2.75 miles east of this unit.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Wildlife viewing advisories
- Greater sage grouse (state-listed threatened species) are sensitive to human disturbance. Do not flush or otherwise disturb these birds.
Other recreational opportunities
Interior service roads offer opportunities for hiking and mountain biking.
Conservation
This unit is a mix of native habitats and old agricultural fields, which are being restored to native vegetation. Long-term management objectives are to restore old agricultural fields to native vegetation. Surrounding land uses include dry-land wheat farming, land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, and some cattle grazing in native shrubsteppe habitat.
Special habitats and species
Shrubsteppe habitat is critical to the recovery of pygmy rabbit and greater sage grouse. Many other species use shrubsteppe habitat, including sage thrashers, Brewer's sparrows, sage sparrows, white-tailed jackrabbits and Washington ground squirrels.
Conservation goals
- Manage and promote the recovery of pygmy rabbit, and greater sage grouse
- Manage for species diversity including shrubsteppe obligates and other priority species
- Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat
Shrubsteppe habitat is critical to the recovery of pygmy rabbit and greater sage grouse. Many other species use shrubsteppe habitat, including sage thrashers, Brewer's sparrows, sage sparrows, white-tailed jackrabbits and Washington ground squirrels.
- Manage and promote the recovery of pygmy rabbit, and greater sage grouse
- Manage for species diversity including shrubsteppe obligates and other priority species
- Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat
Land stewardship
The Chester Butte Unit, and other units of the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area, was acquire as a Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) wildlife mitigation project to address the loss of shrubsteppe and riparian habitats resulting from the construction of Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1998 and 2023.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Bonneville Power Administration | Mitigation Funds |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Endangered Species Act Section 6 Program |
Management planning
2006 Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area Management Plan
Every eight to 10 years, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments. In 2014, WDFW began the process of updating existing plans, many of which were written in 2006. The new plans are being developed with significant public participation and input.