Agencies to protect, restore shrubsteppe

OLYMPIA – State Department of Fish and Wildlife officials say they need to spend nearly $4 million in the next two years to protect pygmy rabbits and sage grouse from over development and wildfires in Eastern Washington.

To that end, the agency is moving ahead with plans to spend $2.35 million to restore and protect shrubsteppe habitat and an additional $1.5 million, to rebuild “wild life-friendly” fences.

Fish and Wildlife officials said they will work with other natural resource agencies and “diverse stakeholders” on how to allocate the funds previously approved by the Legislature.

The agency did not specifically target agriculture, but has noted that much of Eastern Washington’s landscape has been converted to agricultural uses and even over-development.

“By conserving our native species and ecosystems, we can ensure that future generations inherit the Washington that we know today,” state Department of Natural Resources State Lands Division Manager Duane Emmons said.

Natural Resources and the Conservation Commission are two of the other agencies involved with spending the funds.

The group has said funds may be spent on restoration of native landscape, the fences, and creation and management of so-called “species-specific recovery zones.”