Habitat Conservation Plan Community Meetings for Rural Landowners

The Thurston County Habitat Conservation Plan is a long-range planning tool to protect federally listed prairie species while enabling continued development around the county. It will impact thousands of acres in Thurston County. Come learn how your rural and working lands can both provide habitat value and remain working farms and/or rural residential open space. If the HCP is lemons, we’ll talk about how to make it lemonade.

Washington State University and Thurston County will give a presentation, and there will be a chance to talk to local agencies about your property and to find out what kind of conservation options are available for you. Contact Sierra Smith for more information at sierra.smith1@wsu.edu or leave him a voicemail at (360) 867-2165.

Thurston County is home to multiple federally-listed threatened and endangered species. The Endangered Species Act protections associated with these listings mean some property owners have federal rules and requirements to work through before they can break ground on building and property development projects. A Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) is a technical study detailing how to offset development impacts on protected species and species habitats.

Community meetings will be held on the following days and times:

• Thursday September 29th, Tumwater.  Brighton Park Grange, 815 Brighton Park SW, Tumwater 6:00-8:00 pm
• Tuesday October 18th, Tenino. Violet Prairie Grange, 17028 Violet Prairie Rd SE, Tenino 6:00-8:00 pm
• Wednesday November 9th, Rainer. Sportsman’s Club, 404 Alaska St., Rainier 6:00-8:00 pm

Bring your questions.

Food and drink provided.