The Asotin Creek Wildlife Area is divided into two units that are located in Asotin and Garfield Counties.  The lower unit is centered around George Creek and is approximately 12,000 acres in size.  The lower Schlee and Bickford units which are BPA funded comprise 5,600 acres of the lower portion of the wildllife area.  The upper unit is centered around the North and South Forks of Asotin Creek and is approximately 20,000 acres is size.  The upper Schlee purchase is approximately 9,000 acres is size and is centered in the Smoothing Iron Ridge Area.

The lower BPA funded units are comprised of steep canyons and is predominately a shrub/steppe habitat type.  The area was tradtionally used for livestock production and dryland farming.  The land has several problems associated with that type of long-term management - mainly noxious weeds and degraded riparian management zones.  Noxious weeds are mainly controlled by chemical measures and application is difficult in the steep terrain.

The upper BPA funded unit is again comprised of steep canyons with farm fields on top of the ridges.  Steep canyons with timbered North facing slopes are common while South facing slopes are usually a shrub/steppe habitat type.  Noxious weed problems, boundary fence issues, and facility maintenance are the main issues associated with the upper unit.

Overall management objectives are to reduce noxious weed populations on the upper and lower units and rehabilitate riparian zones.  WDFW also  would like to maintain existing facilities such as the main buildings on Smoothing Iron Ridge and associated water systems for fire protection and a source of water for weed control efforts.  Boundary fences are also in need of maintenance to reduce problems from trespass livestock.   Development of 10 water sites for will enhance upland bird populations.  Five sites are planned for each unit

Public access and information will be addressed in the form of developing educational kiosks for each unit and improvement of parking areas mainly by application of gravel to form an all-weather surface.

The staff on the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area consists of a Wildlife Area Manager, as Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2, two Habitat Tech 1's and three 3-month laborers hired in the spring to conduct weed control activities.  The manager, bio-2, and habitat tech 1 positions are only partially funded under BPA since the BPA lands are merged with State funded lands associated with the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area.