This unit has limited access due to no available parking.
As the name suggests, the Sagebrush Flat Unit is dominated by sagebrush. This is the only location in Washington where a rare plant, puzzling rockcress, is known to exist. Numerous shrubsteppe-dependent animals make their home here, including the white-tailed jackrabbit, greater sage grouse, sage thrasher, and sage sparrow.
The Sagebrush Flat Unit is located 15 miles north of Ephrata in Douglas County. The unit can be accessed from Douglas County Road 8 SE from Sagebrush Flat/Moses Coulee Road.
The Sagebrush Flat unit is in the Columbia Plateau. Surrounding land uses include wheat farming land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, fruit orchard, and cattle grazing in native shrubsteppe habitat.
This unit is part of the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 254, 272
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Public facility information:
- No developed parking area
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- Fireworks are prohibited.
- Open fires are NOT allowed at any time during the year.
- No motorized vehicles are allowed.
- Cell phone coverage is not reliable.
- Ticks occur here--observe appropriate precautions.
Hunting
This area is in the Beezley Game Management Unit # 272. The primary hunted species on this unit is mule deer. Hunting opportunities for upland game birds is limited.
Hunting advisories
- All lands in Washington State are CLOSED to the taking of greater sage grouse and pygmy rabbits. Small game and upland bird hunters are advised that these are protected species and can be found anywhere on the unit. Hunters should be alert to their presence and be proficient at identifying them.
Wildlife viewing
The primary habitat on this unit is shrubsteppe, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, white-tailed jackrabbit, Washington ground squirrel, greater sage grouse, Brewer's sparrow, sage sparrow, and sage thrasher.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Wildlife viewing advisories
- Greater sage grouse (state-listed threatened species) are sensitive to human disturbance. Do not flush or otherwise disturb these birds.
Conservation
This unit is dominated by mature sagebrush and has one of the largest expanses of deep-soil sagebrush habitat in the region. This unit is the only location in Washington where a rare plant, puzzling rockcress, is known to exist.
Special habitats and species
Shrubsteppe habitat is critical to the recovery of pygmy rabbit, and sage grouse.
Conservation goals
- Manage and promote the recovery of pygmy rabbit, and sage grouse
- Manage for species diversity including shrubsteppe obligates and other priority species
- Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat
Shrubsteppe habitat is critical to the recovery of pygmy rabbit, and sage grouse.
- Manage and promote the recovery of pygmy rabbit, and sage grouse
- Manage for species diversity including shrubsteppe obligates and other priority species
- Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat
Land stewardship
The Sagebrush Flat Unit, and other units of the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area, was acquire as a Bonneville Power Administration wildlife mitigation project to address the loss of shrubsteppe and riparian habitats resulting from the construction of Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1991 and 2011.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Endangered Species Act Section 6 Program |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | USFWS State Wildlife Grant Program |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2006 Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area Management Plan
Every eight to 10 years, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments. In 2014, WDFW began the process of updating existing plans, many of which were written in 2006. The new plans are being developed with significant public participation and input.