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Date: 10/8/26 5:51 pm From: Denis DeSilvis via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Public comment period open about proposed changes to WDFW’s listing and recovery planning processes for at-risk species
Tweeters, Note there is also a Q&A webinar on this topic next Wednesday 10/14 at 6pm. You must pre-register to attend: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7CymvyA9TS-hwLyNyUAOzQ Also note that the Nov 20th Commission meeting is in Spokane. The key dates are: * Public comment closing date - Nov. 23 * Commission meeting in Spokane where they have a public hearing -- Nov. 19-21 * Commission decision, presumably in the Dec. Commission meeting, which is listed as a "web conference" -- Dec. 11 May all your birds be identified, Denis Denis DeSilvis Avnacrs 4 birds at outlook dot com From 2026 Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive Wildlife Classification \| Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife<https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/development/2026-endangered-threatened-and-sensitive-wildlife-classification> Timeline<https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/development/2026-endangered-threatened-and-sensitive-wildlife-classification#timeline> ACTIVITY DATE Filed CR-101 Nov. 6, 2025 Public Comment Period Open for CR-101 Nov. 6, 2025 Public Comment Period Closed for CR-101 Oct. 6, 2026 Filed of CR-102 Oct. 7, 2026 Public Comment Period Open for CR-102 Oct. 7, 2026 Public Meeting<https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7CymvyA9TS-hwLyNyUAOzQ> Oct. 14, 2026 Public Hearing - Commission Nov. 19-21, 2026 Public Comment Period Closed for CR-102 Nov. 23, 2026 Commission Decision Dec. 11, 2026 Filing of CR-103 TBD Effective date TBD NEWS RELEASE Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Oct. 7, 2026 Media contact: Jennifer Sepulveda<mailto:<jennifer.sepulveda...>, 564-669-0850<tel:(564)%20669-0850> Public comment period open about proposed changes to WDFW�s listing and recovery planning processes for at-risk species OLYMPIA � The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is now accepting public comments on proposed rule changes to update and/or clarify the Department�s process for listing and developing recovery plans for state endangered, threatened, and sensitive species. The proposed rule changes are intended to allow WDFW to improve the regulatory process in a way that best benefits Washington wildlife and most efficiently utilizes Department resources. �These proposed rule changes would allow WDFW to adapt our listing and species recovery planning processes to better focus our limited Department resources on the tasks that most directly help recover sensitive, threatened, and endangered species,� said Julia Smith, WDFW endangered species recovery section manager. �It would also provide the flexibility to more quickly adapt to changing conditions, so that our planning processes and timelines don�t inhibit us from completing vital recovery work for imperiled species.� Proposed amendments to current rules about how WDFW develops plans to recover Washington�s sensitive, threatened, and endangered species include a proposal that would allow WDFW to adopt existing federal recovery plans as the conservation �roadmap� for work in Washington, rather than requiring the state agency to develop its own plan. �Being able to adopt and follow an existing recovery plan allows us to start implementing on-the-ground wildlife conservation work sooner and better align our recovery priorities with other agencies and partners,� explained Smith. Other proposed changes would extend the life of species recovery plans and other documents, but would require WDFW to review progress toward the recovery objectives of those plans more regularly. The Department is also proposing updates to the state�s definitions of �endangered,� �threatened,� and �sensitive� to remove ambiguous language and create a clear three-tiered classification system in the state. More information about these proposed rule changes is available on WDFW�s rule making webpage<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/development/2026-endangered-threatened-and-sensitive-wildlife-classification__;!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!nIGJ7oFHptlnBbaRCDLcKOMLZHqo9vlNiDAjMY7tGH1rd1krOZv_CytEO3gCswqSdPEdydZPSNllKX5qh67KBzA$>. A State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) determination has also been issued for this rule making proposal. SEPA documents related to this proposal can be reviewed at the WDFW SEPA webpage<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/environmental/sepa/open-comments__;!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!nIGJ7oFHptlnBbaRCDLcKOMLZHqo9vlNiDAjMY7tGH1rd1krOZv_CytEO3gCswqSdPEdydZPSNllKX5qeusDsqM$>. The public comment periods for this rule making and the associated SEPA determination are open through Nov. 23. The public may submit comments about the rule making online<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://engage.wdfw.wa.gov/2026etswidlifecr102__;!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!nIGJ7oFHptlnBbaRCDLcKOMLZHqo9vlNiDAjMY7tGH1rd1krOZv_CytEO3gCswqSdPEdydZPSNllKX5qur4euOQ$>, via email<mailto:<2026etswidlifecr102...>, by phone (1-855-925-2801<tel:(855)%20925-2801>, project code 11250), or by mailing WDFW Wildlife Program, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504. Comments specific to the SEPA determination can be submitted online<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://engage.wdfw.wa.gov/ListingProcedureRules__;!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!nIGJ7oFHptlnBbaRCDLcKOMLZHqo9vlNiDAjMY7tGH1rd1krOZv_CytEO3gCswqSdPEdydZPSNllKX5qK6HyxVE$> or via email<mailto:<ListingProcedureRules...>. WDFW will hold a public hearing for this rule making during the November Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting. The meeting will be held in Spokane and live streamed; public comments will be accepted in person or online. The specific day and time of the public hearing will be available in the Commission meeting agenda<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings/2026__;!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!nIGJ7oFHptlnBbaRCDLcKOMLZHqo9vlNiDAjMY7tGH1rd1krOZv_CytEO3gCswqSdPEdydZPSNllKX5qGq1Bqgk$>. Participants must register in advance<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings*public-testimony__;Iw!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!nIGJ7oFHptlnBbaRCDLcKOMLZHqo9vlNiDAjMY7tGH1rd1krOZv_CytEO3gCswqSdPEdydZPSNllKX5qKXqnLEU$> to provide public comment either online or in person. WDFW is hosting a virtual information session about this rule making proposal at 6 p.m. on Oct. 14. The meeting will be held online via Zoom, and participants must pre-register<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7CymvyA9TS-hwLyNyUAOzQ__;!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!nIGJ7oFHptlnBbaRCDLcKOMLZHqo9vlNiDAjMY7tGH1rd1krOZv_CytEO3gCswqSdPEdydZPSNllKX5qrdaGHR0$> to attend. WDFW staff will be available to answer clarifying questions about the rule making during this event, but formal public comments will not be recorded; submit public comments online, via email, by phone, by mail, or at the November Commission meeting. All members of the public are invited to share their perspectives and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities. Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation__;!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!nIGJ7oFHptlnBbaRCDLcKOMLZHqo9vlNiDAjMY7tGH1rd1krOZv_CytEO3gCswqSdPEdydZPSNllKX5qqChiMUE$>, 833-885-1012<tel:(833)%20885-1012>, TTY (711), or <CivilRightsTeam...><mailto:<CivilRightsTeam...>. _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters

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