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.
- None awaiting commission action
Draft status reviews available for public review
- Gray Whale
- Humpback Whale
These draft status reports for the Gray Whale and Humpback Whale were reviewed by species experts and will be available for a 90-day public comment period from September 17 - December 21, 2020. All comments received will be considered during the preparation of the final status report.
Submit written comments on this report by e-mail by December 21, to: TandEpubliccom@dfw.wa.gov
Or by mail to:
Conservation Assessment 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 | 2020 |
| Oregon Vesper Sparrow | 2020 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 2020 |
| Steller Sea Lion | 2020 |
| 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 |