WA state buying land near Tri-Cities for wildlife and outdoor rec

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife expects to finalize the purchase of land south of Kennewick early next year and then make it available for public recreation, while also benefiting wildlife.

The Washington state Fish and Wildlife Commission approved buying 561 acres of private property 3.5 miles south of Kennewick. It is next to other state land that now is surrounded by private property, making it inaccessible to the public.

The land that will be purchased has been enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative, which supports restoration work to protect the shrubsteppe habitat. Rather than being farmed, much of the property over the last five years has been planted with native grasses and flowering plants.

Recreational uses will be set once the land is owned by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, but likely will include hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.

Some hunting, possibly for game birds or maybe deer, also might be allowed.

The cost of the land will not be disclosed until the sale is final, likely in January.

Walk-in access will need to be established through an easement across private land in the Owens Road area, and a parking area will be designated, said Ross Huffman, the Region 3 area wildlife program manager.

The access to the proposed new Fish and Wildlife Department land will also provide access to the adjoining Department of Natural Resources land, which is about the same size.

State purchase of the property will benefit the endangered ferruginous hawk. A nesting platform already has been installed.

Burrowing owl, mule deer and American badger, as well as many game bird species, also are found in the area and will benefit from preservation of the land.

The new state acreage will become the Horse Heaven Hills Unit of the Snake River/Sunnyside Wildlife Area. The wildlife area’s 15 current units covering 33 square miles include land along the Yakima River at Benton City and ridge and canyon landscape to the south of Rattlesnake Mountain.