Resource Protection Program

Resource Management & Recovery

The Resource Protection program of the Natural Resources Department works with federal, state, and local jurisdictions to protect treaty natural resources and promote responsible resource management. Program staff review permit applications for proposed land use actions, such as forest practices applications, road maintenance plans, development projects, and hydropower and flood control proposals. Through providing technical input, the department helps educate others on habitat requirements for the various treaty resources, and how their actions can help protect and promote recovery of treaty resources. Staff also encourage and support regulatory changes to improve resource protection.

In addition, the Resource Protection program works with the Habitat Program to restore riparian areas (the areas adjacent to streams, rivers and wetlands) by planting native tree species and other plants and removing non-native vegetation like reed canary grass and knotweed. Riparian restoration is a critically important salmon recovery strategy, as mature riparian forests provide shade, stabilize banks, protect water quality, and help form and maintain complex salmon habitat. The Resource Program further supports salmon recovery by working with state and local governments to plan and construct fish passage projects.