This unit has limited access due to no available parking.
The Dormaier 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 supports greater sage grouse, sage sparrows, Brewer's sparrows, sage thrashers and pygmy rabbits.
The Dormaier Unit is located 7 miles southeast of Mansfield and 13 miles northwest of Coulee City in Douglas County. The unit is accessed from Road 5 NE.
The Dormaier 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. 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
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:
- No developed parking
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- Cell phone coverage is NOT reliable.
- During winter months, Road 5 NE is NOT plowed beyond the 3.5 mile point. Travel is NOT advised. Road 5 NE is an unimproved road and NOT suited to travel by vehicles with low ground clearance. When wet it can become impassable. Visitors travel at their own risk.
- Fireworks are prohibited.
- Motorized vehicles are prohibited other than in a pullout (for 1 to 2 vehicles) off Road H NE on the west side of the unit, located 0.25 miles south of the intersection of Road H NE and Road 5 NE.
- Open fires are NOT allowed at any time during the year.
- Overnight parking is prohibited.
- 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
The primary habitat on this unit is shrubsteppe, 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.
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.
Conservation
This unit provides habitat for wildlife that are dependent on shrubsteppe habitat for all or part of the year. 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 a good area to find sage sparrows, Brewer's sparrows and sage thrashers.This habitat is critical to the recovery of pygmy rabbit, and Greater sage grouse. Once used by the endangered pygmy rabbit, the unit's deep soils and mature sagebrush makes it a potential release site for the reintroduction.
Conservation goals
- Manage and promote the recovery of pygmy rabbit, sharp-tailed grouse, and sage grouse
- Manage for species diversity including shrubsteppe obligates and other priority species
- Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat
Shrubsteppe habitat is a good area to find sage sparrows, Brewer's sparrows and sage thrashers.This habitat is critical to the recovery of pygmy rabbit, and Greater sage grouse. Once used by the endangered pygmy rabbit, the unit's deep soils and mature sagebrush makes it a potential release site for the reintroduction.
- Manage and promote the recovery of pygmy rabbit, sharp-tailed grouse, and sage grouse
- Manage for species diversity including shrubsteppe obligates and other priority species
- Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat
Land stewardship
The Dormaier Unit, and other units of the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area, was acquire as a Bonneville Power Administration 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 in 1998.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Bonneville Power Administration | Mitigation Funds |
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.