The Yakima Herald Republic features an article about Western Watersheds Project intent to sue the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife if it continues to refuse to perform an Environmental Impact Statement before running livestock on one of the last intact sagebrush steppe ecosystems in Washington state, the Whisky Dick Wildlife Area, bought by the state to preserve wildlife habitat.

Contacts:
Miles Johnson, Western Watersheds Project, 208-788-2290
Kristin Ruether, Advocates for the West, 208-342-7024 ext. 208

Western Watersheds Project Announces Intent To Sue WDFW
To Protect Wildlife Habitat In The Whisky Dick Wildlife Area

January 29, 2008– Western Watersheds Project, an environmental group dedicated to protecting and restoring public lands throughout the West, announced plans to pursue litigation if the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife jeopardizes critical sagebrush steppe habitat in the Whisky Dick Wildlife Area.

At issue in the prospective lawsuit is a proposal by the Washington Department of Fish and Game that would allow a private company to graze cattle in the Whisky Dick Wildlife Area.  This 28,549-acre parcel in south-central Washington contains one of the last intact sagebrush steppe ecosystems in Washington state, and was purchased by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife using public funds for the purpose of wildlife habitat protection.

The Whisky Dick Wildlife Area is a stronghold for sagebrush steppe-dependant species—species that have been severely impacted or extirpated throughout most of eastern Washington. Sage Grouse nest on the Whisky Dick Wildlife Area, and this parcel of relatively undisturbed habitat is situated between the two major remaining populations of Sage Grouse in Washington.  The Wildlife Area is home to several bird and mammal Species of Special Concern, along with a great diversity of native wildflowers, birds, reptiles and amphibians.  The Whisky Dick Wildlife Area is also important to the survival of the Colockum elk herd, and overall is one of the last best examples of how eastern Washington might have appeared prior to intensive livestock production and agriculture.

The Washington State Environmental Protection Act mandates that state agencies complete an Environmental Impact Statement whenever their actions may have a “probable significant adverse impact.” Despite the repeated objections of Western Watersheds Project, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife refuses to complete an Environmental Impact Statement for the Whisky Dick grazing project, instead claiming that cattle grazing in this unique area will have no significant environmental impacts.  Western Watersheds Project holds—and some Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife employees agree—that the current plan for cattle grazing on the Whisky Dick Wildlife Area does not analyze the impacts to Sage Grouse and other sensitive species, the hazards to wildlife resulting from increased fence construction, and the negative impacts on native riparian and upland plant communities.  Unless this ill-conceived and illegal plan is withdrawn and a complete Environmental Impact Statement is completed, Western Watersheds Project will sue to block cattle grazing in the Whisky Dick Wildlife Area.

Miles Johnson of Western Watersheds Project said: “It is unthinkable that the private business interests of a few well-connected ranchers should preclude the citizens of Washington from preserving and enjoying one of their most outstanding natural areas.”