WDFW schedules public meeting to discuss draft management plan for Snoqualmie Wildlife Area


 

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public comments on a draft management plan for the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area in northwest Washington.

WDFW will also host a public meeting next month to discuss the plan. The meeting is scheduled from 6-8 p.m.April 24, at WDFW’s North Puget Sound office, 16018 Mill Creek Blvd., Mill Creek.

The wildlife area consists of six separate units that cover 2,274 acres in King and Snohomish counties. The Snoqualmie Wildlife Area is located in a rural agricultural region of the Snohomish River watershed. The area provides habitat for waterfowl, eagles, and chinook salmon and provides recreational opportunities, including fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing.“We have been closely monitoring the fishery through regular communication with fishers and processors, tracking landings, reviewing logbooks, and observing landings dockside,” said Sommer.  “We have also been collaborating with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to observe fishing operations at sea.” resulting in every Oregon walleye fishing guide being able to provide more guided walleye fishing trips on the Columbia due to reduced baitfish opportunities.

Over the past year, WDFW staff has worked with a citizen advisory group to develop a draft management plan that addresses the status of wildlife species, habitat, restoration efforts and public recreation on the wildlife area.

“We want to encourage people who are interested in the wildlife area to provide input on our plan, which describes how we’ll manage habitat and public use in the area,” said Cynthia Wilkerson, WDFW lands division manager.

The plan is available for review on WDFW’s website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/management_plans/snoqualmie/.

The public can submit comments online through April 26 at https://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/sepa/sepa_comment_docs.html. Comments can also be submitted at the April 24 meeting.

The public comment period will be conducted under the State Environmental Policy Act, which is designed to ensure that Washington citizens can participate in governmental decisions that could affect the environment.

The department is revising management plans for the state’s 33 wildlife areas to reflect current conditions and identify new priorities. WDFW is currently updating plans for Chelan Wildlife Area in Chelan and Okanogan counties and wildlife areas in the Blue Mountains region in southeast Washington. More information about those plans can be found online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/management_plans/.

 

 

 


 

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