Tweeters - this is a significant decision concerning land use that may be good for birds. Thought you might like to see it.

== Michael Hobbs
== BirdMarymoor at frontier.com
== www.marymoor.org
== www.marymoor.org/birding.htm

For Immediate News Release 1/24/11

Contact:

Jon Marvel Executive Director, Western Watersheds Project 208.788.2290
Dr. Steven Herman Member, Western Watersheds Project 360.894.0751
Kristin Reuther Staff Attorney, Advocates for the West 208.342.7024 x208

No Livestock Grazing Settlement Protects Wildlife Habitat On Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area

Western Watersheds Project (WWP) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials have reached a settlement in a lawsuit WWP filed challenging state authorization to graze livestock on the Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area near Ellensburg, Washington.

The settlement closes over 35,000 acres, or 55 square miles, of the wildlife area to livestock grazing for 20 years. The Quilomene/Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area contains some of the last remaining areas of intact sagebrush-steppe habitat in Washington State where over 90% of shrubsteppe has been lost to agriculture, livestock grazing, and development.

"This represents a big step forward for shrubsteppe and wildlife" said Dr. Steven Herman, an emeritus faculty member at Evergreen State College and active member of Western Watersheds Project, "With a secured closure to livestock grazing for at least 20 years, most of the area will be cow-free for a half century."

"I hope that we can make this a shrubsteppe preserve" said Dr. Herman, "The wildlife area is just over 100 miles from Seattle which makes it a great place for recreationists, wildlife watchers, students, and others to experience wildflowers, wildlife, and a pristine shrubsteppe landscape."

The area links the last two remaining populations of Washington sage grouse, a species listed as "threatened" under the Washington Endangered Species Act, and contains streams harboring steelhead trout, listed as "threatened" under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The list of shrub steppe obligate and associated species that will benefit from this settlement include sage grouse, sage thrasher, sage sparrow, loggerhead shrike and sagebrush lizard.

"This is truly a remarkable achievement." said Jon Marvel, executive director of Western Watersheds Project, "A group of dedicated local members and volunteers took the initiative and successfully confronted one of the most powerful interest-groups in the west. That effort secured lasting protection for one of the last, best sagebrush habitats in Washington State."

Read the Court Ordered Settlement