Washington Senate passes bill allowing wolf protection to be lifted

[wolfbait]

Washington Senate passes bill allowing wolf protection to be lifted
 
March 5, 2015 The Spokesman-Review Jim Camden
 
OLYMPIA – A bill that would allow the state to take wolves off its endangered species list in much of Eastern Washington passed the Senate on Wednesday with strong support.
 
It would allow for a change in the state’s negotiated wolf management plan to recognize that the wolf population has grown rapidly in areas east of U.S. Highway 97 and doesn’t need the protection the species has in other parts of the state.
 
It doesn’t mandate a change, but would give the state Department of Fish and Wildlife the tools to decide if the change is warranted, said Sen. Brian Dansel, R-Republic, who sponsored the bill. Any change also would “ensure social tolerance of wolf recovery.”
 
Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, said the department supports the legislation and would use “the best available science” in considering changes. Despite that, he predicted “there would be some angst” among Democrats over any change to the wolf management plan. The bill passed 39-9, with all no votes coming from Democrats, and was sent to the House. Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, voted for the bill.
 
source:
http://tinyurl.com/oswrco3

[HunterStrait]

Now we're getting somewhere.

[carpsniperg2]

A step in the right direction.

[mfswallace]

Now open hunting, only on the eastern side of 97 of course 

[wolfbait]

 "The bill passed 39-9, with all no votes coming from Democrat"

Maybe these Democrats need some wolves in their backyard, bet they would be re-thinking their vote.

[coachcw]

So what it's not open season on them allready?

[JimmyHoffa]

"The bill passed 39-9, with all no votes coming from Democrat"

Maybe these Democrats need some wolves in their backyard, bet they would be re-thinking their vote.

San Juans....see if wolves are attracted to drum circles.

[grundy53]

Great start

[bigtex]

The following Senators voted in opposition: Senator Fraser, Habib, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Liias, McCoy, Nelson, Pedersen, and Rolfes

[jasnt]

 

[CAMPMEAT]

The following Senators voted in opposition: Senator Fraser, Habib, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Liias, McCoy, Nelson, Pedersen, and Rolfes

Looks like the democrats need to be voted out of office.......

[idahohuntr]

"The bill passed 39-9, with all no votes coming from Democrat"

Maybe these Democrats need some wolves in their backyard, bet they would be re-thinking their vote.

I'd never heard of a "Democrat" until I moved to Washington 

This is a much better and more useful bill than 1676.

[jasnt]

I wish this bill did mandate a change.  I don't see wdfw using this tool anytime soon even though it is clear wolves are fully "recovered" on this side of the state. I still feel 1676 is useful.  If we wait for hunter harvest to drop off first we may be too late.  Which may end up costing us all more in the long run ie. aerial gunning, loss of OTC anybull tags ect. 
It breaks my heart seeing my home state being so complacent with its deer and elk

[Jacque]

Definitely a step in the right direction.

[pianoman9701]

It has to pass the house, which, with the majority of representatives coming from the I-5 corridor, it'll likely never do. I wish it were not so.

[bearpaw]

It has to pass the house, which, with the majority of representatives coming from the I-5 corridor, it'll likely never do. I wish it were not so.

There are 2 reps and 1 senator from each legislative district, so the ratio from the I-5 corridor is the same in the senate as the house. But the house has a democrat majority so it will be tougher to pass in the house. Then the big question, will the governor sign it?

Nonetheless this legislation (even if it doesn't become law) is a necessary step in the right direction. It's going to be a long process bringing real change.

[tgomez]

Almost time for special permit hunts! How exciting, atleat they are starting to pull their heads out of their asses.

[Elkaholic daWg]

http://www.capitalpress.com/Washington/20150320/action-on-wolves-cant-wait-until-2017-senator-says

[bearpaw]

http://www.capitalpress.com/Washington/20150320/action-on-wolves-cant-wait-until-2017-senator-says

good article....

Sen. Brian Dansel pressed the state’s wolf policy coordinator, Dave Ware, on whether the Department of Fish and Wildlife was content to wait until 2017 to do more to protect livestock from wolves.

“Are we good to wait two years to do anything?” asked Dansel, a Republican who represents northeast Washington.

“No, not at all,” Ware said.

The House and Senate have both voted to reconsider the state’s wolf recovery plan, but the Fish and Wildlife Commission would have until June 30, 2017, to make changes.

At a hearing of the Natural Resources and Parks Committee, Dansel said he’s concerned that wolves will inflict heavy financial losses on ranchers in his corner of the state unless the state does more on the “lethal deterrence side.”

Dansel called reopening the wolf plan a “great bill,” but also said he was worried the legislation would disarm attempts to manage wolves more effectively now.

“My concern is we get this and then everybody goes, ‘OK, we’re done with wolves. We have a wolf bill. It’s workable. Everything’s great.’ I don’t think on the ground that’s going to be the case,” Dansel said.