https://legiscan.com/WA/text/SB5846/id/2863617/Washington-2023-SB5846-Introduced.pdf


Jan 15 deadline to comment

Link to comment

https://www.howlforwildlife.org/wa_...YHX9mh6KrIXuoCiR1ugmqAEBzw6Jh14aesJYVaOM

The link doesn't work.

That'll work as well as legalizing all drugs

Which link doesn’t work?

When I click on them it works for me.

Combine SB 5846 and this and the end of the average trapper trapping Beaver is just over the horizon.
The anti's are attacking on multiple fronts time to circle the wagons.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
November 1, 2023
Media: Jennifer Becar, 564-669-0850


WDFW opens public comment period for beaver relocation rule making.

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has filed a proposed rule to create a program that permits qualified individuals to relocate beavers involved in human-wildlife conflict as an alternative to lethal removal. The public is invited to submit comments about the proposed rule though Dec. 18.

If adopted, the proposal would revise Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 220-450 to create a beaver relocation permit program that identifies which beavers could be relocated, specifies the requirements for permittees, release sites, and conditions during temporary beaver captivity during relocation; and identifies any conditions under which the permit may be revoked.

A copy of the rule making proposal is available on WDFW’s website. The public can submit comments via web form, by email, by phone (855-925-2801, project code 2514), or by mailing written comments to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife ATTN: Wildlife Program, PO Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will accept public comments on the proposed rule change at a public hearing scheduled during the Dec. 14-16 Commission meeting. Information on how to register to provide comments during the meeting will be made available on the Commission Meeting webpage. A decision is tentatively scheduled for the January 2024 meeting.

All members of the public are invited to share their perspectives and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

I like the first sentence, the legislature finds that beavers play a key role? Like they are some sort of biologist. They seem to screw up everything else they do so now let’s play fish and wildlife experts.

Western Wildlife Services

Looks like Washington state is about to have a bunch of beaver problems.

All antis seem to be experts on everything they are against even when not educated in that field.

Obviously they don’t know about the past issues with overprotecting the beaver population in the past and the damages it has caused in doing so. People on here make a living controlling them through Government or private contractors so what’s the real need to protect them? It’s sounds like a stupid feel good move that will cause millions in damages every year that is unnecessary and avoidable.

They will go from free control by trappers that will make use of the resource to a taxpayer paid position that will waste the resource then. Typical woke thinking a dumb idea with no thought of the outcome of the action.

Should be a money maker for guys like you Joel. Getting paid extra to feed live beavers to the cougars.

Beaverpeeler Oregon is not far behind, I have been hearing rumors. Yep we will have more beaver work, and a pile of paperwork to go with it. Cost will have to go up to cover all the bs.

Western Wildlife Services

It's unfortunate that some well intended folks just don't understand that you can't transplant beaver into areas filled with predators and unsuitable habitat anyway (thanks to the 1971 forest practices act) and get them to survive. I've had conversations with some research people at OSU that have been radio collaring and releasing beavers on an experimental basis into some areas of the coast range. Success rate? Almost zero.

Undoubtably the long-tails are saying yummm, send some more.

The Harlets in Washington need to learn to manage their own beaver first.

We will see a national trend develop were the new management philosophy will be no beaver should be harvested. Afraid it’s a matter of time.

People are lead to believe every form of wildlife is endangered and because they don’t deal with the reality they believe in the lies.

Exactly their intention, move a food source to the protected species, a logical solution in their Disney mindset. Next they make the transporting of the beaver so ornerous, and equipment/ means of transport near impossible and costly, then request more public funding to finance their program.

Great to have lots of beaver on the land-means a much healthier trapline for all other furbearers.
Beaver populations can only be kept at an optimum level thru regular harvest.
Underharvest or overharvest has the eventual same end result.

Pretty much since the days of large scale transplanting in the 30's and 40's beaver are already present in adequate numbers wherever they have a habitat that will support them. Lot's of the streams in mature conifer forests of the northwest will not support beaver. Unfortunately, the do-gooders don't have that figured out.

I see they have a fiscal note now attached to the bill. They have an estimated cost in the first year of $150,000 and less than one full time person working on it. That ramps up to $3,896,000 and 3.6 persons working on it in a couple more years. It looks like they are creating a new permanent division within the Department that will just handle beaver complaints. When I say handle complaints, I doubt that will mean actually trapping beavers. It will however make some more hoops for WCOs to jump through. Actual costs to the Department for that many people I'm guessing will be close to a million dollars so I'm guessing they foresee near $3 million going to beaver relocation grants. You can still comment on this to the Committe until the 16th. It looks like Van De Wege has got this on a fast track with this early of a Committee meeting. Our best bet to kill it though might be in the House when it goes there. Hunters Heritage Council has an oppose on this bill, so we are not alone in fighting it.
How will it affect fur trappers? I think not too much. That is left up to the Department and my talks with them makes me think they will be willing to get along with fur trappers. It does mention cooperation with recreational trappers in the bill. I think this is going to be a pain for WCOs though.