MEDIA ADVISORY
April 13, 2012
State DNR and FWS to hold public meetings on strategy to conserve marbled murrelets
Public comment requested on the scope of environmental review
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are holding informational meetings to help the public better understand the proposed development of a long-term Marbled Murrelet Conservation Strategy for forested state trust lands in Western Washington and to gather input on its content. DNR and FWS are conducting a joint environmental review according to the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These meetings, and the associated comment periods, represent the first phase of an expanded two-phase public scoping process that is part of the development of a joint environmental impact statement.
Phase One Meetings
| Who: | DNR and US Fish and Wildlife Service |
| What: | Scoping meetings for the Marbled Murrelet Conservation Strategy – Phase I |
Why: | The agencies are seeking public input on the scope of environmental review for this proposal, including existing environmental information relevant for analysis, potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures that the agencies should consider when developing management alternatives. |
| When & Where: | April 30 — 6 to 8 p.m.
Olympia: Natural Resources Building, Room 175, 1111 Washington St., 98504 |
| When & Where: | May 3 — 6 to 8 p.m.
Sedro Woolley: Northwest Region, 919 N. Township St., 98284 |
| When & Where: | May 8 — 6 to 8 p.m.
Cathlamet: River Street Meeting Room, 25 River Street, 98612 |
| When & Where: | May 9 — 6 to 8 p.m.
Forks: Olympic Region Office, 411 Tillicum Lane, 98331 |
At the meeting
DNR and FWS staff will give brief presentations to introduce the planning process and present background information on marbled murrelet biology and relevant policies. The agencies will have discussion stations with more detailed information, where people can talk to staff and ask questions. People will be encouraged to submit their Phase I written comments by May 30.
The proposal’s need, purpose, and objectives and the SEPA Scoping Notice can be found on DNR’s SEPA webpage. A federal Notice of Intent will be published in the Federal Register shortly. All of these documents can be found on DNR’s marbled murrelet website.
Phase Two Meetings
In the following months, we will hold a second phase of public meetings focused on conceptual alternatives that the agencies will evaluate in environmental analysis. When analysis is complete, the agencies will jointly publish a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for public comment and hold additional meetings.
DNR, steward of state lands
DNR, led by Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, manages more than 3 million acres of state-owned trust forest, agricultural, range lands and commercial properties that earn income to build schools, universities and other state institutions, and help fund local services in many counties. In addition to earning income, trust lands help protect habitat for native plant and animal species, clean and abundant water, and offer public recreation and education opportunities statewide.
DNR also manages a significant statewide system of State Natural Resources Conservation Areas and Natural Area Preserves that protect native ecosystems and the plant and animal species that depend on them, and provide access for education and low impact public use, where appropriate.
Media Contact: Jane Chavey, Senior Communications Manager, 360-902-1721 jane.chavey@dnr.wa.gov
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