LACEY, Wash. – The Washington Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is fulfilling a commitment in their 1997 State Lands Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to develop a long-term conservation strategy for the marbled murrelet, a federally listed threatened species.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and WDNR have jointly developed a revised draft environmental impact statement (RDEIS) analyzing WDNR’s amendment to their 1997 HCP and six other alternatives. The RDEIS is intended to satisfy the requirements of both the National Environmental Policy Act and the Washington State Environmental Policy Act. If approved, the proposed long-term conservation strategy will replace an interim marbled murrelet conservation strategy and the Service will amend WDNR’s incidental take permit.
A 60-day public comment period is open through November 6, 2018. The public is invited to submit comments electronically to WDNR at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MMLTCSRDEIS or by US Postal Service to: Washington Department of Natural Resources, SEPA Center, P.O. Box 47015, Olympia, WA 98504-7015. Please reference SEPA File No. 12-042001. Comments may be submitted on or before November 6, 2018.
The marbled murrelet is a small, robin-sized, diving seabird that feeds primarily on fish and invertebrates in near-shore marine waters. It spends the majority of its time on the ocean, roosting and feeding, but comes inland up to 70 miles (113 kilometers ) to nest in forest stands with old growth forest characteristics.
To read the Federal Register notice and RDEIS, or for more information about marbled murrelets, visit: www.fws.gov/wafwo.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: 
