The Walla Walla River Irrigation District (WWRID), Hudson Bay District Improvement Company (HBDIC), and Gardena Farms Irrigation District No. 13 (GFID) (collectively, "the Districts") in eastern Oregon and Washington are in the process of working with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) ("Services") to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The HCP would cover the incidental take of bull trout and summer steelhead which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The Walla Walla Bi-State HCP will identify specific steps to ensure the continued existence and aid in the recovery of the listed species, while offering long-term, cost-effective ESA compliance certainty to stakeholders and helping to ensure continuation of the vibrant agricultural economy within the basin. Since it began in 2001, the Walla Walla HCP process has produced a positive impact by addressing difficult agricultural and municipal water issues, avoiding litigation, and bringing together several organizations in Oregon and Washington to work toward a bi-state solution for Bull Trout and Summer Steelhead.

A Notice of Intent to conduct public scoping meetings, as required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), was published in the Federal Register on November 15, 2005. Five scoping meetings were held in November 2005. These included one meeting for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), one for all interested and affected agencies, two for the public, and a fifth meeting was also held with the Native Creek Society.

The primary purpose of the scoping process was for the public to assist the Services in developing the EIS by identifying important issues and alternatives related to the proposed action. Each scoping Meeting will allocate time for informal discussion and questions with presentations by the Services and potential applicants. All comments and materials received, including names and addresses, were made part of the administrative record and can be viewed in the NEPA documentation available here: HCP Files.