Mount Saint Helens Area Advisory Committee

Mount St Helens is one of 33 wildlife areas owned and/or managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Each of these areas is guided by a Wildlife Area Management Plan. Over the next 10 years the plans are being re-written to reflect current conditions and updated objectives to support the agency's mission: To preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

The plans will be developed with input from the public and interested stakeholders, including a Wildlife Area Advisory Committee (WAAC). This charter includes the purpose and responsibilities of the Mount St Helens WAAC, and agency staff in the development of the Wildlife Area Management Plan.

Wildlife Area Advisory Committee (WAAC) Membership

WAAC members represent a range of interested stakeholder groups who are impacted or have an interest in activities on the wildlife area including birding, wildlife, conservation, land management, local government, agri-business and other interests. WAAC members:

• Represent a group or organization affected or impacted, by and/or interested in wildlife area planning and management issues;
• Are committed to sharing information and bringing to the committee feedback from their respective constituents; and
• Are interested and committed to working collaboratively; and
• Understand and are comfortable in role of serving in an advisory capacity.

WAAC Role & Responsibilities

The role of the advisory committee is to provide public and other stakeholders' perspectives in WDFW wildlife area planning and management activities.

Responsibilities include:

• Review information, discuss issues with staff and other committee members, and provide input during the development of the wildlife area plan
• Serve as spokespersons for respective interest groups, reporting back to agency staff and the committee about the interests and concerns of the larger stakeholder group
• Identify an alternate who will serve when and if the primary representative is unable to participate. (Continuity is especially important as there will be a limited number of meetings and each meeting will build on the material covered at previous meetings);
• Be a sounding board for wildlife area planning and management activities
• Identify issues of concern
• Be able to communicate about agency goals and wildlife area activities outside of WAAC meetings
• Act in an advisory capacity, providing input to staff that will be considered in the department's decision-making process
• Acknowledge and accept that the process will provide only limited time to delve into all wildlife issues Needs description