Marbled Murrelet Long-Term Conservation Strategy
   

The proposal is to amend the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 1997 State Trust Lands Habitat Conservation Plan to include a long-term conservation strategy for the marbled murrelet. As part of this process, DNR also will apply for an amendment to its incidental take permit for the marbled murrelet under the Endangered Species Act. DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are serving as co-lead agencies for purposes of environmental review under both the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
 

Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The revised draft environmental impact statement (RDEIS), which replaces the 2016 draft EIS, evaluates seven alternative long-term conservation strategies and a no action alternative (the current, interim strategy). Each action alternative provides a unique approach to marbled murrelet habitat conservation, designating varying amounts of habitat for conservation and applying conservation measures to ensure long-term protection of forestlands important to the marbled murrelet. 
 
Explore the RDEIS and alternatives using this interactive story map.
 
 
DNR and USFWS invite you to review the RDEIS and provide comments and suggestions for improving the adequacy of the environmental analysis.
 
Please note: The original comment period of September 7, 2018 to 5:00 p.m. on November 6, 2018 has been extended to December 6, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. Also, the following new information is available:
Comments on the RDEIS and/or new information can be submitted in the following ways:
NOTICE: Information published in the Federal Register on September 7 regarding submission of comments for this RDEIS was incorrect. To submit comments, follow the instructions above.

RDEIS - September 2018

Complete RDEIS (18MB PDF)
 
RDEIS in Sections 
Opening pages (cover, commissioner's letter, fact sheet, table of contents)
Executive Summary
Chapter 1, Introduction
Chapter 2, The Alternatives
Chapter 3, Affected Environment
Chapter 4, Environmental Consequences
Chapter 5, Cumulative Effects
Chapter 6, Literature Cited
Chapter 7, Key Definitions
 
Appendices 
Appendix A, Scoping Report
Appendix B, Analytical Framework Focus Paper
Appendix C, Population Viability Analysis (Peery and Jones 2018)
Appendix D, Occupied Sites Focus Paper
Appendix E, P-stage Focus Paper
Appendix F, Maps of Marbled Murrelet Conservation Areas by Alternative
Appendix G, Long-term Forest Cover Focus Paper
Appendix H, Potential Impacts and Mitigation Focus Paper
Appendix I, 2007 and 2009 Concurrence Letters
Appendix J, Fish Distribution in the Analysis Area
Appendix K, Rare Plants in Long-term Forest Cover
Appendix L, Wildlife Species and Associated Habitats in the Analysis Area
Appendix M, Data and Assumptions Used in Socioeconomics Analysis
Appendix N, Distribution List
Appendix O, Data Updates
Appendix P, Sustainable Harvest Draft Financial Analysis
 

Proposed Amendment 

DNR’s proposed amendment to the 1997 State Trust Lands Habitat Conservation Plan for the marbled murrelet long-term conservation strategy represents DNR’s preferred alternative (H).
 
DNR and USFWS invite you to review and comment on the proposed amendment.
 
Please note: The original comment period of September 7, 2018 to 5:00 p.m. on November 6, 2018 has been extended to December 6, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. Comments can be submitted in the following ways:
 
Appendix A, Tables
Appendix B, Figures
Appendix C, Background Reports/Supporting Documents
 

Public Meetings  

 October 9, 2018 (6-8 pm)
 Rainforest Arts Center
 35 North Forks Avenue
 Forks, WA 98331
 
 October 11, 2018 (6-8 pm)
 River Street Meeting Room
 25 River Street 
 Cathlamet, WA 98612
 October 15, 2018 (5-7 pm)
 Ballard Library Meeting Room
 5614 22nd Avenue NW
 Seattle, WA 98107
 October 17, 2018 (6:30-8:30 pm)
 Burlington Public Library Rotary Community Meeting Room
 820 East Washington Avenue
 Burlington, WA 98233
 
 
 

Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The Long-Term Conservation Strategy for the Marbled Murrelet DEIS documented the lead agencies' analysis of the proposal and provided an opportunity for government agencies, affected tribes and other members of the public to review the document and provide suggestions for improving the adequacy of the environmental analysis.

DEIS - December 2016

Complete Draft EIS (36MB PDF)
 
Draft EIS in Sections
Opening Pages (Cover, Commissioner's Letter, Fact Sheet, Table of Contents)
Chapter 1, Introduction
Chapter 2, The Alternatives
Chapter 3, Affected Environment
Chapter 4, Environmental Consequences
Chapter 5, Cumulative Effects
Chapter 6, Literature Cited
Chapter 7, Key Definitions
 
Appendices
Appendix A, Scoping Report
Appendix B, Analytical Framework Focus Paper
Appendix C, Population Viability Analysis (Peery and Jones 2016)
Appendix D, Occupied Sites Focus Paper
Appendix E, P-stage Focus Paper
Appendix F, Maps of Marbled Murrelet Conservation Areas by Alternative
Appendix G, Long-term Forest Cover Focus Paper
Appendix H, Potential Impacts and Mitigation Focus Paper
Appendix I, 2007 and 2009 Concurrence Letters
Appendix J, Fish Distribution in the Analysis Area
Appendix K, Rare Plants in Long-term Forest Cover
Appendix L, Wildlife Species and Associated Habitats in the Analysis Area
Appendix M, Data and Assumptions Used in Socioeconomics Analysis
Appendix N, Distribution List
 

Process

The graphic below outlines the SEPA/NEPA joint Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process.
 
 

Scoping Phases

The planning process for the project began with establishing the scope of the environmental review under both state and federal processes. DNR expanded the scoping process into two phases. The use of expanded scoping is intended to enhance public and agency participation in identifying the scope of an EIS.

Phase One Scoping

The first phase focused on receiving input for the project's need, purpose and objectives, the environmental impacts that should be considered and existing environmental information relevant to analysis.
 
Public meetings were held in late April and early May 2012 in the four DNR adminstrative regions included in the proposal: Olympia, Sedro-Woolley, Cathlamet and Forks.
 
Phase One Scoping: Meeting Materials
 
Phase One Scoping

Phase Two Scoping

Phase Two scoping materials presented alternative concepts that represent distinct conservation approaches to a long-term conservation strategy, each of which would be consistent with the approved Need, Purpose, and Objectives. A No Action concept also was presented. These conceptual alternatives were described in the Phase Two scoping notice.
 
 
 

Final EIS

The final EIS will provide decision-makers with environmental information about a proposal to help them decide whether to approve the proposal, approve it with conditions (mitigation), or deny the proposal. It is the lead agency's record of environmental analysis conducted for the proposal.

Publications