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Methow Watershed Phase 1

WWRP Applicant: Dept of Fish & Wildlife
RCO Project Number: 98-1033
County: Okanogan 
Legislative District: 12th 
WWRP Category: Critical Habitat
WWRP Grant: $5,810,416
Project Type: Acquisition
Acres Protected: 5400
Date Funded: 1999

Description:

This project proposes to protect about 5,400 acres of critical wildlife habitat in the Methow River watershed for mule deer winter range and migration as well as anadromous fish passage and production. This project has unprecedented support from the public in general including almost every outdoor associated sports organization in the state as well as local, county, state and federal government. The Methow River watershed is a uniquely rich and diverse ecosystem that is undergoing rapid residential subdivision, fueled by the esthetic and wildlife amenities this project strives to protect. Mule deer corridors and winter ranges were identified through cooperative research projects funded by the US Forest Service and WDFW; 95% of this herd (about 20,000) moves on average 30 miles between summer range in the high North Cascades and winter range in the Methow Valley. Bull trout and anadromous fish stocks including steelhead and salmon have been listed as threatened/endangered in this watershed. Residential subdivision is destroying and threatening the remaining winter range and migration corridors for Washington's largest migratory mule deer herd. Preserving these upland, migration and riparian corridors for deer and other wildlife is upstaged only by the protection this project will afford threatened and endangered fish stocks in the Methow River and its' tributaries.

Red Marker Methow Watershed Phase 1

This project proposes to protect about 5,400 acres of critical wildlife habitat in the Methow River watershed for mule deer winter range and migration as well as anadromous fish passage and production. This project has unprecedented support from the public in general including almost every outdoor associated sports organization in the state as well as local, county, state and federal government. The Methow River watershed is a uniquely rich and diverse ecosystem that is undergoing rapid residential subdivision, fueled by the esthetic and wildlife amenities this project strives to protect. Mule deer corridors and winter ranges were identified through cooperative research projects funded by the US Forest Service and WDFW; 95% of this herd (about 20,000) moves on average 30 miles between summer range in the high North Cascades and winter range in the Methow Valley. Bull trout and anadromous fish stocks including steelhead and salmon have been listed as threatened/endangered in this watershed. Residential subdivision is destroying and threatening the remaining winter range and migration corridors for Washington's largest migratory mule deer herd. Preserving these upland, migration and riparian corridors for deer and other wildlife is upstaged only by the protection this project will afford threatened and endangered fish stocks in the Methow River and its' tributaries.

48.46 -120.17
Location:
Two miles northwest of Pateros - Methow Wildlife Area; Two miles north of Carlton; Wells Wildlife Area. Project consists of five sites.

WHAT IS THE WWRP?

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) is a state grant program that creates and conserves local and state parks, wildlife habitat and working farms. The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers WWRP grants, and the legislature funds the program.
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