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The Mazama Pocket Gopher is a State-listed species that has been proposed for listing under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). This species prefers western Washington prairie habitat.  Much of this historical prairie habitat is currently located in areas of rapid development. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has afforded protections for this species and its habitat. These protections are enforced by local Governmental Agencies through land use permits. If the Mazama pocket gopher or its habitat is suspected to occur near your property, you will be required to hire a qualified Biologist to perform a gopher survey. If pocket gophers are identified on your property, you will be required to submit a Mazama Pocket Gopher Management Plan as part of your land use permit package. If you suspect pocket gophers, call us first. We can help. Click HERE to learn more about the Mazama Pocket Gopher.

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Thurston County is home to the endangered Taylors checkerspot butterfly and several other butterfly species designated as "of greatest conservation need, or species of conservation concern." The County's Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) and the federal Endangered Species Act protect these butterflies and their prairie habitat.

Hawk, osprey, golden or bald eagle, or other raptor nests typically require a buffer excluding construction. If your project is within one-half mile of a bald eagle nest or foraging area or if a raptor nest is located at or near the project site, a management plan may be required by the local Governmental Agency as a part of the permit process.  EnviroVector has successfully prepared numerous raptor management plans throughout western Washington. Nests were relocated in Redmond, an osprey nest was protected at Pleasant Harbor, a bald eagle nest was preserved in Federal Way and on Anderson Island. We can help you navigate through this process.

Habitat Management Plans (HMPs) or Habitat Assessment Reports are required by some counties and cities during the land use permit process when sensitive species or habitats are present. These reports describe the existing wildlife habitat, use patterns, species presence, projects impacts, and mitigation or conservation measures. These reports are prepared by EnviroVector and reviewed by regulatory biologists at the County (i.e., Thurston, Mason, King, Snohomish, and Skagit Counties) or City of permit jurisdiction and at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Biological Assessments (BAs) are required by Federal Agencies for projects that have the potential to affect Federally listed species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  This report is a part of the ESA consultation process with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and NOAA Fisheries.  Curtis Wambach, M.S. has prepared numerous BAs over the last 13 years while at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and in private consulting. Species include Chinook salmon, searun cutthroat, wolf, grizzly bear, Canada lynx, marbled murrelet, brown pelican, leatherback sea turtle, orca, desert tortoise, spotted owl, and others.

Any land use proposal that has the potential to disrupt elk migratory patterns, breeding activity, or foraging habitat requires an Elk Management Plan submitted to the a local Governmental Agency of permitting jurisdiction (City or County). The plan is reviewed by the State Wildlife Agency prior to the issuance of land use permits. The applicant must demonstrate that the proposed project does not negatively impact elk populations.