FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2012
Board of Natural Resources approves document guiding long-term Marbled Murrelet Conservation Strategy
Provides foundation for developing management alternatives for state trust lands in Western Washington
OLYMPIA – At a special meeting today, the Board of Natural Resources approved a document that will be a foundation for the development of a long-term Marbled Murrelet Conservation Strategy for state trust lands in Western Washington.
Although the Board normally does not meet in August, Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark called the meeting to review public scoping comments and staff recommendations related to the strategy’s Need, Purpose, and Objectives, which will provide a foundation for developing management alternatives.
The marbled murrelet, a dove-sized sea bird, is a federally ‘threatened' species covered by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR’s) Trust Lands Habitat Conservation Plan. DNR has operated with an interim murrelet conservation strategy since the approval of its Habitat Conservation Plan by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1997, when scientific knowledge about the murrelet was limited. Since that time, DNR has conducted extensive murrelet surveys and research. The Board-approved Need, Purpose, and Objectives will be used to develop conceptual management alternatives that will be presented for public comment during the second phase of scoping.
Web link
The direct link to the Joint Need, Purpose, and Objectives approved by the Board of Natural Resources is: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/amp_sepa_nonpro_finalnpo_aug7.pdf
DNR manages state trust lands
Administered by Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, DNR manages more than 5.6 million acres of state-owned lands. Of these, more than half are state trust lands in forest, agriculture, wind energy and other production to earn income to support the state’s public schools, universities, prisons, and other institutions. In addition to revenue, DNR manages these lands to provide habitat for native fish and wildlife, clean water, outdoor recreation, and other public benefits. The Board of Natural Resources represents the beneficiaries of state trust lands.
Media Contact: Bob Redling, Senior Communications Manager, bob.redling@dnr.wa.gov, 360-902-1149
# # #