HB 1676: Understanding the effects of predation on wild ungulate populations.http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1676&year=2015HOUSE BILL 1676
State of Washington 64th Legislature 2015 Regular Session
By Representatives Short, Lytton, Kretz, and Blake
AN ACT Relating to understanding the effects of predation on wild
1ungulate populations; creating a new section; and providing an
2expiration date.
3BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
4NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The department of fish and wildlife
5must conduct a scientific, peer-reviewed study assessing the health
6of Washington's wild ungulate population in game management units
7that have experienced a change in predator population dynamics due to
8the recovery of gray wolves. The goal of the study must be to examine
9ungulate population trends in various game management units, using
10historic and current data, to assess whether or not Washington's wild
11ungulate population is adequate to support the change in predatory
12pressure resulting from gray wolf recovery.
13(2) In conducting the study, the department of fish and wildlife
14must, at a minimum:
15(a) Compare ungulate population trends in game management units
16where gray wolves are not currently present with ungulate population
17trends in game management units supporting gray wolf populations;
18(b) Consider all predation pressure on wild ungulates and the
19composition of predator species populations in various game
20management units, not just the predation caused by gray wolves; and
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(c) Include in the scope of the study the traditional off-
1reservation hunting grounds of the Colville confederated tribes,
2commonly known as the North Half.
3(3) The study required by this section must be submitted to
4independent peer review by qualified professionals who do not have a
5financial relationship with the department of fish and wildlife or
6any other conflicts of interest. As part of the peer review process,
7the department of fish and wildlife must solicit review from the
8appropriate game management agencies in the states of Idaho and
9Montana and the Canadian province of British Columbia.
10(4) The results of the study required under this section must be
11presented to the legislature by the department of fish and wildlife,
12consistent with RCW 43.01.036, by October 31, 2016. In addition to
13the results of the study, the department of fish and wildlife must
14also present any proposed changes to ungulate or predator population
15management informed by the results of the study to maximize stability
16in wild ungulate populations and to minimize predation on domestic
17ungulate species such as cows, sheep, goats, and horses.
18(5) This section expires July 1, 2017.
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