A new Nongame Program is established at the Washington Department of Game. Biologists in the program review literature and interview other wildlife resource professionals to create a list of Species of Concern. Their intent is to identify species characterized as rare, sensitive, uncommon, peripheral, or deserving special management. Biologists begin to prepare status reviews for 40 of the species. Its 15 endangered and 3 threatened species simply reflect Federally-listed species occurring in Washington.
Biologists complete status reviews and analyses for selected species.
The State Sensitive definition is similar to present-day State Threatened, a category not included in the 1981 policy. The Nongame Program initiates a project to produce fact sheets for species of concern. Ninety-four species are dropped from the Species of Concern list. The remaining 185 are classified State Endangered, proposed State Threatened, proposed State Sensitive, or proposed State Monitor. State Sensitive status is renamed State Threatened.