The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is requesting public input regarding a proposed rule change and a new rule to address wolf-livestock conflict deterrence.
In September 2020, Gov. Jay Inslee (D) directed WDFW to initiate a rule-making with the intent of reducing livestock killed or injured by wolves, as well as the number of wolves killed as a result of depredations.
The proposed rule change would amend the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) to require the WDFW director or a staff designee to authorize lethal removal of wolves after confirming a person proactively implemented nonlethal conflict deterrence measures.
The proposal would also create a new rule (WAC 220-440-260) that would direct WDFW staff to consult with stakeholders and create conflict mitigation plans to establish area-specific criteria for the use of nonlethal and lethal measures to mitigate conflicts.
“The proposal creating WAC 220-440-260 aims to address areas that have experienced significant levels of livestock depredation and subsequent wolf removals year after year, an especially difficult scenario for all communities concerned about wolf conservation and management,” said Wolf Policy Lead Julia Smith.
“This proposal focuses limited time and resources to areas where the most livestock and wolf loss has occurred in the state.”
As part of the rule-making process, a draft supplemental environmental impact statement analyzing the environmental impacts of four alternative rule-making options was developed, along with a small business economic impact statement that evaluates potential costs to livestock industry businesses.
WDFW is seeking input on the proposed language for both WACs, along with feedback on the environmental impact statement. To review the rule change materials and share feedback on the proposed rule language, visit publicinput.com/U0420#0. Written comments may be submitted via email to SEPAWolfConflictDeterrence@PublicInput.com. Comments may also be recorded via phone by calling 855-925-2801 and entering project code 6659.
A public hearing will be scheduled in April, and the final draft will be issued in May, with the Fish and Wildlife Commision considering the proposal in the same month. Rule changes would go into effect January 2023.
For more information on the proposed rule, visit wdfw.wa.gov. — Anna Miller, WLJ managing editor
