The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is extending the public comment period on its recommendations for the management of "riparian ecosystems" along the banks of rivers and streams throughout the state.

Terra Rentz, the department's ecosystem services manager, said WDFW will now accept written comments through Aug. 17 on the recommendations contained in Riparian Ecosystems, Volume 2: Management Recommendations, available online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01988. The original comment period was scheduled to end July 17.

The new document updates and expands recommendations initially published in 1997 (https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00029/) and reflects input from WDFW stakeholders and tribal natural resource agencies, she said.

Individuals and groups can submit written comments online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/mgmt_recommendations/comments.html or by mail to Terra Rentz, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 9850.