The West Branch Little Spokane Phase 2 property is located 30 miles north of Spokane in Pend Oreille County. WDFW holds a signed option agreement for the purchase of the remaining property, which expires in September 2009. Phase 2 is for the remaining 1,700 acres of 2,800 acres of highly diverse habitats including streams, riparian, emergent wetlands, lakes, beaver ponds, cottonwood galleries, and unfragmented uplands composed of aspen groves, and mixed coniferous forests. The area is relatively unique to Eastern Washington and Pend Oreille County as it provides such a large contiguous area of healthy riparian and wetlands at low elevation. The habitats support a high level of mammal, bird, and herp diversity. Species include moose, white-tailed deer, elk, black bear, cougar, grouse, turkey, golden and bald eagles (ST,FT), Townsend’s big-eared bat (SC, FSC), northern goshawk (SC, FSC), western toad (SC, FSC), Columbia spotted frog (SC, FSC), and pygmy whitefish (SS). The property provides Spokane area residents with sustainable recreational opportunities including: watchable wildlife and photography, environmental education, hiking, hunting, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and boating. The property also provides access to the West Branch Little Spokane River, Horseshoe and Fan Lakes. Acquisition of this property will help ensure the protection of fish and wildlife populations for future generations, while providing economic benefit for the local communities.