Local News

WDFW invites public comments land acquisitions in Okanogan County

Feb 06, 2019

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is inviting public comments on nine land conservation projects for potential funding that would protect fish, wildlife, and public access to the great outdoors.

Conservation projects proposed by the department range from protecting a saltwater shoreline on the Strait of Juan de Fuca to shrubsteppe habitat for sharp-tail grouse and public recreation in Okanogan County. Descriptions of all nine proposed projects are available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/acquisitions/.

The Okanogan County projects include:

McLoughlin Falls West - The goal of this acquisition is to protect approximately 730 acres of riparian and shrubsteppe habitat from the risk of development. The property borders approximately 2.25 miles of the Okanogan River and contains some intact segments healthy riparian habitat.

Scotch Creek Addition - This project is a property trade to provide the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area with additional quality habitat for sharp-tail grouse, reduce the risk of development adjacent to a significant amount of Scotch Creek Wildlife Area and provide more efficient and effective management of the area by incorporating this inholding. WDFW would gain approximately 200 acres of shrubsteppe habitat, while divesting 88 acres of irrigated agricultural lands currently under lease.

Golden Doe - This acquisition would provide the Methow Wildlife Area with an official, developed access site for the Golden Doe Unit, eliminate the risk of development adjacent to the boundary and provide more efficient and effective management of the area. The acquisition involves approximately 110 acres of shrubsteppe habitat, most of which would need some form of restoration following acquisition.

The department will accept written comments through Monday, Feb. 25, 2019.