public comment period for beaver relocation rule making

[Trapper John]

NEWS RELEASE

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.

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Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-855-1012, TTY (711), or Title6@dfw.wa.gov. 

[JakeLand]

If the habitat where they want to relocate beavers to is a good environment for beaver they would already be there . Let’s say they relocate some beaver and they do what they naturally do and dam up said creek , it floods out a neighbor house, barn or property or god forbid a road and it collapses whos fault is it ? Nature? The state as they released them there ? Too many things haven’t been thought out
I will not and encourage others to not be part of this , let them figure it out on their own
Jake

[Hannibal]

Beaver relocation has been going on for a long time in WA state.
This is just a way for WDFW to generate cash and create more jobs within the department.
Just like they did with WCO program.

[Special T]

One of thier recent relocation programs failed in the high country because cougars ate them all!

[Cougartail]

One of thier recent relocation programs failed in the high country because cougars ate them all!

That's not a failure! Just an expensive feeding program. 

Feed them beavers so they don't eat livestock.

This new group of wildlife managers are so progressive!   

[Humptulips]

In my capacity as a Representative for WSTA, I have been in conversations with the Department about this for the last year. Shawn Beling, who is the lead person for the Department on this attended the Rendezvous last summer to talk about it. I have given our word to support the program. That is not to say I would expect any individual trapper to be involved or even support it.
The RCW that allows relocation of beaver has been in place for a long time. All this does is set some requirements that the relocators have to follow and because of changes we were able to get included, it allows trappers to be paid for supplying beaver. That is currently not legal.
Will it do any good? I don't think so. Jake hit the nail on the head. If there is a suitable place for beaver, they will find their own way to it. What I hope for is that the relocators will have to work with trappers and even become dependent on them so much so that they will be less likely to voice opposition to our trapping in general. In a case like this given the Commissions makeup it is a cinch it will pass. Rather than oppose it I have tried to include language that is beneficial to us.
This will not affect fur trapping and only a very few trappers will ever have anything to do with it. It should not be of any concern.

I just will add, these organizations pursue grant money for these beaver relocation projects. That money to my knowledge has not and probably will not come from WDFW.