PASCO, Wash. – While wastewater infrastructure in Pasco is being expanded in Pasco, officials from the Department of Ecology and Department of Fish and Wildlife are finding ways to prevent the development from disrupting local animal populations.
In 2023, a $180 million expansion of the City of Pasco’s Process Water Reuse Facility was set in motion and went through the State, covering a project area that includes approximately 440 acres of shrubsteppe and grassland habitat that houses the burrowing owl, which is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
To combat potential population impacts, Ecology, the WDFW and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service developed a mitigation plan. The plan included pre-construction surveys, protection of habitat and the creation of artificial burrows for displaced owls.
WDFW Wildlife Biologist Jason Fidorra says the artificial burrows are already helping the local population.
“Despite their name, they don’t do a lot of burrowing and excavating of their own burrows,” said Fidorra. “They typically rely on other fossorial mammals to dig holes in the ground and then they occupy these burrows and use them throughout the year.”
Since the project began, Fidorra says four nesting pairs of owls were discovered on the project site. Three of the pairs were successful and produced 22 young birds.
“They’re pretty simple but really effective and provide additional benefits, in that it’s harder for some predators that can dig to actually get in because its this plastic armored habit,” said Fidorra.
Ecology reports that seven clusters of artificial burrows were placed on the site to offset the loss of natural burrows. The artificial burrows are proven to help burrowing owl populations grow, as long as there are still areas to hunt and find food.
For more information on burrowing owl conservation during the Process Water Reuse Facility expansion, visit Ecology’s website.
