Commission approves purchase of 643‑acre Beasley Hills parcel to expand Columbia Basin wildlife unit

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved acquisition of a roughly 643‑acre parcel to add to the Beasley Hills unit of the Columbia Basin wildlife area in Grant County.

Presentation and rationale: Matthew Trenda, Real Estate Services Manager at WDFW, briefed commissioners on the Beasley Hills B property, located about six miles north of Quincy, describing the site as intact shrub‑steppe — a highly imperiled ecosystem in the inland Pacific Northwest. Trenda said the parcel supports priority species, including the federally endangered Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit (distinct population segment), state‑endangered greater sage‑grouse, and candidate Washington ground squirrels.

Funding and costs: The acquisition is funded by a Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Critical Habitat Grant administered by the Recreation and Conservation Office. Trenda told the commission that ongoing operation and maintenance costs are estimated at about $125 per acre and will be included in the department’s decision package for ongoing O&M funding.

Questions from commissioners focused on road maintenance (staff noted no maintained roads on the property, only dirt access tracks), past land uses (grazing rather than cultivation), and post‑acquisition management approaches (habitat restoration, translocations, fire recovery, enforcement and partnerships with local fire districts).

Vote: Commissioner Molly Linville moved to approve the purchase as presented; the motion was seconded and carried. Commissioners emphasized the conservation value for shrub‑steppe restoration and obligate species recovery.

Next steps: Staff will integrate the parcel into the Beasley Hills unit management plan, pursue necessary O&M funding through budget requests, and coordinate habitat recovery actions with federal partners such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.