WDFW seeks advisory committee candidates for the Colockum Wildlife Area

May 5, 2015

Contact: Pete Lopushinsky, (509) 663-6260

WDFW seeks advisory committee candidates

for the Colockum Wildlife Area

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking candidates to serve on a committee that advises the department on the management of the Colockum Wildlife Area.

WDFW manages the 105,662-acre wildlife area located between Wenatchee and Ellensburg to provide winter range for deer and elk and habitat for upland birds.

The department is looking for two candidates, one to represent non-motorized recreation users and one to represent persons with disabilities. Current members of the advisory committee represent a variety of interests, including snowmobiling, fishing, horseback riding and conservation, said Pete Lopushinsky, Colockum Wildlife Area manager for WDFW.

"We would like to expand participation in our advisory group to reflect the different uses the Colockum area supports," Lopushinsky said.

The two new members would be expected to attend the next advisory committee meeting, which is planned for this fall. The advisory group typically meets up to four times per year. Information about the committee can be found online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/cwa-waac/ .

The advisory committee will be involved in updating the management plan for the wildlife area, one of 33 wildlife areas across the state. The planning sequence for the Colockum will be determined later this year.

Applicants should submit a cover letter that addresses the following items:

The applicant's name, address, telephone number and email address.

Organization the individual is representing, its mission and location.

The applicant's familiarity with the wildlife area and interest in participating in the advisory group.

His or her experience in the advisory group processes and in collaborating with people who have different values.

Letter of support from the organization the applicant is representing.

Applications should be postmarked by 5 p.m. May 18 and sent to WDFW Region 3 Headquarters, Attn: Colockum WAAC Recruitment, 1701 S. 24th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902-5720; or by email to TeamYakima@dfw.wa.gov with the subject line "Colockum WAAC Recruitment."

For more information, contact Pete Lopushinsky at (509) 663-6260.