Black Hills Audubon supports the efforts of the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife to acquire the 9600-acre TransAlta Centralia Mine Property in Lewis and Thurston Counties. BHAS testified in support at the Fish and Wildlife Commission Meeting on January 28. For more information on this tract and a map, see https://wdfw.medium.com/opportunity-for-new-wildlife-area-in-lewis-and-thurston-counties-d336a8883d6c. Because reclamation work is still in process, the property would be opened to the public in phases.
Bill Shelmerdine reports that he has conducted Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) throughout the Trans Alta Property since at least 2005. He finds it to be a unique area locally, which is regularly used by numerous bird species, several of which are locally uncommon or even rare. The property itself has unique habitat features, many ponds and wetland complexes, and many opportunities for both riparian and upland habitat restoration/improvement.
