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
Under this grant, WDFW acquired part of the Simcoe Property from Western Pacific Timber in Klickitat county. WDFW purchased approximately 2,694 acres in Phase 2 on July 27, 2016, and 1,154 acres in Phase 4 on December 15, 2017. This transaction brought the total acreage purchased in all phases to approximately 10,295 acres. Approved amendments to this project agreement included: 1) Adding Simcoe Phase 4 (1,154 acres) as an additional worksite 2) Modifying the agreement from 2,700 acres to be acquired to 3,848 acres 3) A time extension to June 30, 2019 4) A time extension to June 30, 2020 Challenges included major cultural resource issues with a neighboring landowner, an unanticipated and significant increase in prevailing wages for fencing that stalled fence construction, and Coronavirus state executive orders. WDFW will request that remaining funding that is turned back could be added to the Simcoe 2018 grant so that additional land can be acquired. Through this grant, WDFW also: – Surveyed +/- 6 miles of property boundary – Treated 3 acres of noxious weeds in Phase 2 and 3 acres of noxious weeds in Phase 4 – Posted 2 RCO acknowledgement signs, 532 inexpensive private property signs, 16 permanent WDFW signs, and 3 WDFW boundary signs (200 made and waiting to post until after fence construction) – Ordered supplies for future fence construction