The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) periodically reviews the status of protected species in the state to determine whether each species warrants its current listing or deserves to be delisted or reclassified.
State wildlife managers begin the review process by seeking information and data from the public, including non-governmental groups, universities, private researchers and naturalists, on each species. The public input period typically lasts one year.
WDFW uses the public information to update the status of each species and make a recommendation about the species' listing classification. Wildlife managers then solicit public comment on the draft status reviews for at least 90 days. WDFW staff ultimately present their recommendations to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, a citizen panel appointed by the governor, at a public hearing.
Awaiting commission action
The commission will make a determination on the listing classification of the species listed below. Check the commission webpage for public hearing dates and locations.
Draft status reviews available for public review
The draft Ferruginous hawk status review will be available for a 90-day public comment period from January 12 to April 12, 2021, and comments received will be considered during preparation of the final document. The Department will present the results of this periodic status review to the Fish and Wildlife Commission at an upcoming meeting.
Submit written comments on this report by e-mail by April 12th to: TandEpubliccom@dfw.wa.gov
Or by mail to: Surveys and Forest Wildlife Section Manager, Wildlife Program Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife P. O. Box 43141 Olympia, WA 98504-3141
Tentative schedule to present findings to the Fish and Wildlife Commission
| Species | Date |
|---|---|
| Oregon Spotted Frog | 2021 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 2021 |
| Steller Sea Lion | 2021 |
| Western Snowy Plover | 2021 |
| Northern Spotted Owl | 2021 |
| Western Gray Squirrel | 2021 |
| Sage Grouse | 2021 |
| Brown Pelican | 2021 |
| Streaked Horned Lark | 2021 |
| Killer Whale | 2021 |
| Taylor's Checkerspot | 2021 |
| Columbia White Tailed Deer | 2021 |
| Bald Eagle | 2021 |
| Marbled Murrelett | 2021 |
| Canada Lynx | 2021 |
| White Pelican | 2021 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 2021 |
| Western Pond Turtle | 2022 |
| Woodland Caribou | 2022 |
| Sandhill Crane | 2022 |
| Green & Loggerhead Sea Turtles | 2022 |
| Leatherback Sea Turtle | 2022 |
| Yellow Billed Cuckoo | 2022 |
| Fisher | 2022 |
| Blue, Fin, Right, Sei, Sperm Whales | 2022 |
| Columbian Sharp Tailed Grouse | 2023 |
| Pygmy Rabbit | 2023 |
| Sea Otter | 2023 |
| Grizzly Bear | 2024 |
| Oregon Silverspot | 2024 |
| Tufted Puffin | 2024 |