Hiker Input Sought on Marbled Murrelet Proposal, Comments Due March 9

Marbled murrelets are seabirds that can nest as far as 50 miles away from a body of water. Photo by Martin Raphael, U.S. Forest Service.

Washington's Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife have invited outdoor recreation enthusiasts to comment on a proposal to protect habitat for the marbled murrelet, a small seabird native to the North Pacific.

The proposal is to amend the DNR State Trust Lands Habitat Conservation Plan to include a long-term conservation strategy to help the bird's declining population rebound.

What does this mean for recreation?

Marbled murrelet habitat is highlighted on the map. Click the map to view more information.

The proposed "Marbled Murrelet Long-Term Conservation Strategy" presents a range of options that range from strictly limiting recreation development to more moderate approaches.

WTA is currently evaluating the proposal with an eye to the delicate balance of the survival of the marbled murrelet and future recreation and trails opportunities on DNR state lands.

Recreation sites that fall within the plan's impact area cover a broad swath of Western Washington from the Cascade crest to the Pacific coast. Marbled murrelets are unique among seabirds in that they prefer to nest in tall trees as far as 50 miles inland.

Some of the recreation sites that could be impacted by the final plan include Tunerville Campground and Columbia River Gorge trails outside of Vancouver, recreation areas outside of Everett, the Bogachiel River area on the Olympic Peninsula, new trails currently undergoing planning in the Baker to Bellingham corridor, Capitol State Forest outside of Olympia, and others.

Those interested in learning the details of the proposal can view a free webinar published by DNR or read the complete Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

How to give your feedback

Comments should be submitted to the SEPA Center at sepacenter@dnr.wa.gov or SEPA Center, PO Box 47015, Olympia, WA 98504-7015. Please include the file number "12-042001" on all comments. The subject line of email comments should include "SEPA File No. 12-042001."

Comments on the proposal are due by 5:00 p.m. on March 9.