Category Overview
Critical Habitat projects are our state’s primary tool for conserving important fish and wildlife habitat. These projects protect the rich and diverse habitats in our forests, prairies, and wetlands. These funds help maintain our state’s biodiversity and protect species that are popular for hunting, birding, and other outdoor recreation, and are critical for the health of our salmon and fish populations.
Project Highlights
With support from this award, WDFW acquired the Grand Coulee Phase 3 property and the DNR Big Bend property. The award supported post-acquisition incidental activities at both of these properties, and also the Grand Coulee Phase 2 property. The Grand Coulee Phase 3 property (7,217 acres) in Douglas County was acquired in April 2018. The property was acquired from private owners with a mix of funding from RCO and federal endangered species recovery funds. The property has also served as match for federal land endangered species program land acquisitions by WDFW. Combined with the Phase 1 and Phase 2 acquisitions, also supported by RCO under other awards, the total acreage acquired by all three phases to more than 20,000 acres. It established WDFW’s Big Bend Wildlife Area. The Big Bend Wildlife Area forms the southwestern border of the area where the Columbia River re-orients from running to the east to running to the south. The Colville Reservation lies on the other side of the river from the Wildlife Area. The DNR Big Bend property (1,364 acres) was a collection of inholdings for the Big Bend Wildlife Area acquired from DNR in August of 2021. This acquisition helped consolidate WDFW land ownership in the area, providing more contiguous acreage that can be consistently managed for wildlife habitat and recreation. Amendments 2, 4, 5, and 6 were time extensions. Amendment 1 added the DNR Big Bend properties as approved properties for acquisition. Amendment 3 added the Grand Coulee Phase 2 property as a worksite and permitted post-closing activities on this property.