Here is the text from WDFW on the land swap
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and Bennett Lumber Products
Proposed action: WDFW and Bennett Lumber Products are proposing a land exchange with the intent of Notification of a proposed land transaction between the trading WDFW’s Grouse Flats Wildlife Area for Bennett Lumber Products’ property located in the Wolf Fork drainage in Columbia County south of Dayton. Grouse Flats Wildlife Area would become private property owned by Bennett Lumber and the Wolf Fork property would become public land managed by WDFW as a part of the Wooten Wildlife Area.
Rationale: WDFW would like to acquire the Wolf Fork property to protect the stream and the associated riparian cover that currently provides high quality bull trout habitat (bull trout are a federally listed threatened species). Wolf Fork also contains an abundance of big game habitat. Bennett Lumber Products is interested in the Grouse Flats Wildlife Area because the property is adjacent to land that they already own and the property would fit well into their land management plan. Grouse Flats has big-game habitat but does not contain riparian and in-stream habitats. Ongoing WDFW land acquisitions at the 4-O Ranch will offset the loss of publicly owned big-game habitat in the area.
Timing: Due to the original fund source used to purchase Grouse Flats, the exchange will need to be approved by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. That approval process has been initiated. In addition, the proposed land transaction will undergo a full public review through the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The actual trade may take up to two years to complete.
Alternate Hunting: Hunting on Grouse Flats may continue under a private lands access program with Bennett Lumber Products. There is USFS land open to hunting to the north. In addition, WDFW is in the process of acquiring lands owned by the 4-O ranch in a multi-phase acquisition with two of six phases already completed. In order to preserve the high quality deer and elk hunting, 4-O lands purchased by WDFW are open to permit-only deer and elk hunting. All other hunting opportunities are available to all licensed hunters, consistent with season dates (e.g., bear, cougar, grouse, and turkey).
Alternate Camping: The land exchange is likely to lead to a loss of current camping opportunity at Grouse Flats. There is alternate camping available on USFS lands near the Three-Forks trailhead and other locations on the Forest. Additionally, WDFW is working to develop camping areas on newly acquired lands in the Cougar Creek Area. Developed camp sites will be available for the public to use in Cougar Creek in the near future. Proposed 4-O ranch acquisition lands approximately 4.2 miles away (phase six) will be available for public camping sometime in the future.
To receive notification: To receive notification of SEPA activities (public comment) associated with this proposed land transaction, please provide your contact information (Name, Address, Email address) to:
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Attn: Grouse Flats/Wolf Fork Land Exchange
2315 N. Discovery Place
Spokane Valley, Washington 99216
