NATURAL AREA PLANNING - A CASE-STUDY IN WASHINGTON-STATE, USA

This paper describes the planning process used to develop a management plan for a natural area administered by the Washington State Departme nt of Natural Resources (DNR) under the agency's Natural Resources Con servation Area Program. West Tiger Mountain is located approximately 3 0 km east of the Seattle metropolitan area and protects ecologically v aluable ecosystem types representative of western Washington. The area also experiences tremendous recreational pressure, posing threats to the ecological values designated for protection. Development of the ma nagement plan was carried out in a cooperative effort between the DNR, faculty and students from the University of Washington, and a citizen 's advisory committee. All parties worked together to identify key res ource issues and collect baseline information. University of Washingto n students provided a resource analysis and recommendations. Final man agement goals, strategies, and management prescriptions were then deve loped and prioritized for implementation. Monitoring and a flexible or ''adaptive'' management approach are critical elements of the managem ent plan that will enable DNR to address increases in public use and t o collect additional ecological information necessary to achieve ecosy stem management objectives.