Southwest Washington Habitat Branch

Dan Guy
Branch Chief

510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 103
Lacey, WA 98503
360-753-9530
360-753-9517 fax

The Southwest Washington Habitat Branch is headquartered at the Washington State Habitat Office in Lacey. Branch geographic coverage includes Lewis, Cowlitz, Clark, Wahkiakum, Skamania, Pierce, Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor and Pacific counties.

Branch staff consult primarily with other federal agencies under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the Magnuson-Stevenson Fishery and Conservation Act on essential fish habitat (EFH). As a result of the diverse geography and ecosystems covered by the branch, staff consult on actions that potentially affect 12 of the 13 listed or proposed salmon and steelhead ESUs in Washington waters, plus ESA-listed marine mammals and EFH species/habitats. The branch is also actively engaged in habitat conservation planning efforts under ESA Section 10, and monitoring implementation of several existing habitat conservation plans (HCPs).

Branch staff are actively supporting recovery planning efforts in the Puget Sound and Lower Columbia regions. Branch staff also work closely with state, tribal and local entities to provide technical input and support in developing, reviewing, prioritizing and implementing restoration project reviews designed to benefit salmon and their habitats.