WDFW proposes to acquire the 8,500-acre Schlee Ranch comprised of salmonid bearing streams, riparian buffers and steppe habitat located within the Asotin Creek Watershed. This property is rich in priority species (steelhead, bull trout, chinook salmon, bald eagle, elk, mule deer) and priority habitats (riverine, riparian, wetlands, steppe, caves and talus slopes). Bordered on 3 sides by public lands, the project provides critical connectivity to fish and wildlife habitats on adjoining public lands. The project would be managed as part of WDFW's Asotin Creek Wildlife Area. Acquiring and protecting this property will address watershed problems identified in the Asotin Creek Model Watershed Plan (1995) and protect downstream public lands. Similarly, the Asotin Creek Subbasin Summary (2001), prepared for the NW Power Planning Council, identified acquisition and protection of key private lands as a main goal in ensuring the future for fish and wildlife populations, including federally listed steelhead, chinook salmon and bull trout. The project includes 29 miles of tributary and intermittent streams (5.5 miles of which are anadromous fish bearing; 26 steelhead redds were located on site in 2001). Acquisition would also protect steppe obligate species, approximately 350 wintering elk and allow reintroduction of extirpated sharp-tailed grouse. Letters of support received from all three Asotin Co. Commissioners, Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, Inland NW Wildlife Council, Rocky Mtn Elk Foundation and Congressman Nethercutt.