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WDFW staff brief Habitat Subcommittee on local land‑use engagement, data tools and enforcement limits
Summary
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff told the Habitat Subcommittee March 12 that the agency provides technical recommendations, maps and guidance for local land‑use planning but has no direct regulatory authority; commissioners pressed for better outreach, updated public tools and clarity about enforcement and mitigation.
Molly Linville, chair of the Habitat Subcommittee of the Fish and Wildlife Commission, opened the March 12 meeting by inviting staff from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to explain how the agency engages with cities and counties on land‑use planning.
"We are here to talk with you about how WDFW engages with local governments on land use planning," Julia Michalik, section manager for the Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) section, said as she began the presentation. Michalik outlined two statutory frameworks — the Growth Management Act (GMA) and the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) — that guide local governments’ designation and protection of critical environmental areas.
Michalik said the PHS program produces four main products for planners: a PHS list of priority species and habitats, spatial mapping data, management‑recommendation documents, and direct technical assistance. "We provide spatial data and technical assistance to help planners designate and protect critical fish and wildlife habitat," she said, adding that WDFW "has no regulatory…
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