Net Ecological Gain

Timeline: August 2021 – September 2022

Sponsoring Agency: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)

WSAS is advising WDFW and the state legislature’s ongoing conversations on a net ecological gain standard for state land use, development, and environmental laws to achieve a goal of better statewide performance on ecological health and endangered species recovery, including the recovery of salmon in order to fulfill treaty obligations and de-list threatened or endangered species.

The committee has produced a preliminary report that outlines a definition, goals, objectives, and performance metrics for a net ecological gain standard; assesses the sufficiency of existing standards; and makes recommendations about monitoring and indicators for no net loss and net ecological gain. The committee’s report is available at this link. The WSAS Committee’s work with WDFW is ongoing, with additional reports and materials to be prepared in the coming months.

A public presentation for the project was held on January 25, 2022, from 10-11am Pacific Time. A recording of the meeting can be viewed below.

Committee Members

Ron Thom, Chair (PNNL emeritus)

Heather Burpee (UW)

Ken Currens (NWIFC)

Heida Diefenderfer (PNNL)

Tim Essington (UW)

Anand Jayakaran (WSU)

Mary Ruckelshaus (Stanford University)

Katharine Wellman (Northern Economics, Inc., retired)

Bold names indicate WSAS members.

Net Ecological Gain Public Meeting – January 25, 2022