Washington Rivers and Habitat Open Space Program (RHOSP) (RHOSP)

DNR buys permanent conservation easements on forestland that is critical habitat for state-listed threatened or endangered species, or that sits in an unconfined channel migration zone of a river. Applications are ranked on habitat quality, risk of loss and species factors, and funded in priority order each biennium. Unfunded eligible applications can be carried forward to future funding rounds.

• Forest land containing critical habitat for state threatened or endangered species designated by the Forest Practices Board, or a Channel Migration Zone as described in the Forest Practice Rules

• Identified as designated forestland or current use forestland on county assessor records

• Free of unacceptable liabilities such as hazardous substances

• Must allow DNR legal access, and everyone with a legal interest must convey or subordinate their interest

Permanent conservation easement sold to the state. Biennial legislative funding.

Published amounts: For the current (2025-2027) Washington State Department of Natural Resources has $4.6million available to purchase Rivers and Habitat Open Space conservation easements. Roughly 70 percent for Critical Habitat and 30 percent for channel migration zones when funding exceeds $1 million.

Choose the Critical Habitat or Channel Migration Zone application and instruction booklet; include a land description, the method used to determine qualification, and a boundary map. Mail to Washington Department of Natural Resources Forest Practices Division, Rivers and Habitat Open Space Program MS 47012, Olympia, WA 98504-7012.

Deadline text on the page: The application window for the coming 2027-2029 funding period is now open. Please submit your application by 05/31/2026. The program receives funding every two years, at the discretion of the WA State Legislature, so watch for the next application window. Lands may be donated for a conservation easement at any time.