WDFW hosts meeting on plan for Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere wildlife areas

May 7, 2015

Contact: Juli Anderson, (509) 636-2344

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will hold a public meeting May 19 to discuss a draft management plan for the Swanson Lakes, Revere and Reardan Audubon Lake wildlife areas in eastern Washington.

The meeting is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at WDFW's Eastern Region office, 2315 North Discovery Place in Spokane Valley.

The management plan covers three distinct landscapes, which encompass roughly 25,000 acres of wetlands, grasslands and shrub-steppe habitat. Swanson Lakes, Revere and Reardan Audubon areas support mule deer and more than 200 bird species including sharp-tailed and sage grouse, which are listed by the state as threatened species.

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

"Wildlife areas are public lands, so it is important for us to have public input to inform management," said Nate Pamplin, director of WDFW's wildlife program.

The plan will be available for public review beginning May 11 and can be found on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/management_plans/swanson_lakes/ .

The public can submit comments online through June 11 at http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/sepa/sepa_comment_docs.html . Comments can also be submitted at the May 19 meeting.

The public comment period will be conducted under the State Environmental Policy Act, which provides a way to identify possible environmental impacts that may result from governmental decisions and for Washington residents to participate in protecting their environment.

The department revises management plans for its 33 wildlife areas every eight to 10 years to reflect current conditions and identify new priorities and initiatives. WDFW is also currently updating plans for Klickitat Wildlife Area in south central Washington and Sinlahekin and Scotch Creek wildlife areas in Okanogan County.