SSMCP recently completed, A Study of Prairie Conservation Partnering, Compensatory Mitigation and Banking Expansion Opportunities In South Puget Sound, WA

This study identifies mechanisms leading to the reduction of adverse impacts on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) military training that are associated with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing of prairie species, while simultaneously assisting with the recovery of these ESA-listed species.

Based upon extensive South Puget Sound area prairie stakeholder interviews and document research, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was completed, which identifies the factors favorable and unfavorable to achieving a desired future state.

In general, this future state is one whereby Military training use requirements on JBLM prairies and other occupied habitat are met and sufficiently protected habitat and populations exists so as to allow the prairie species to be delisted. The key finding was that current efforts are severely hampered by continual starts and stops due to a lack of dedicated resources.