WDFW will acquire 3,200 acres of crucial uplands wildlife habitat in the Cowiche Watershed Project area, which is 15 miles northwest of Yakima, in Yakima County. The acquisition links 2 existing WDFW wildlife area units (Cowiche and Oak Creek) with other public lands, thereby connecting a landscape of over 80,000 acres; the acquisition complements WDFW efforts that have protected 5,600 acres of upland habitat in the watershed. The new State Wildlife Action Plan identified 5 priority habitats in the East Cascades Ecoregion for conservation action. The following 3 priority habitats and state species of concern are found in the proposed project: Priority Habitat Associated Species of Concern Shrub-steppe Sage Thrasher, Loggerhead Shrike, Sage Sparrow, Golden Eagle Townsend Ground Squirrel East Cascades Oak- Ponderosa Townsend Big-eared Bat, White-headed Woodpecker, Pine Forest and Woodland Lewis' Woodpecker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Gray Squirrel Riparian-Wetlands Bald Eagle, Lewis' Woodpecker, Western Gray Squirrel The project is critical because it: a) protects upland cold water inputs for Cowiche watershed Steelhead, Bull Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout and Coho Salmon habitat; b) secures critical winter range and movement corridors for 2,800 elk and other big game; c) provides the public with recreational opportunities, including hunting, wildlife viewing, camping, hiking and biking; and d) maintains riparian and upland habitats that support state priority wildlife.