Since I've yet to see any discussion/positions posted on the Forum (other than my post) or on Facebook page, no idea who, or if there's an official WSTA position/testimony to occur, here's more info/details/commentary regarding the upcoming WDFW Commission meeting, (1) the "Beaver Relocation Rulemaking: Rulemaking to Finalize the Pilot Rule" and (2) Status Update on Development of Ecosystem Beaver Habitat Management Guidelines & Associated Rulemaking Timelines.
This is TODAY!! Listen in via Zoom or phone, and then make public comments tomorrow (Fri morning) Part 1 focuses on the requirement to be certified/ have training in order to participate in beaver relocation. I find this interesting, as this training will likely be conducted by (1) non-WDFW organizations (non-profit beaver relocation groups), so in the future, why shouldn't we as an organization be able to conduct this training? I've participated in this training and it's just the basics, nothing that would prevent WSTA from doing this. Why? Beaver relocation for nuisance vs dispatch is the future. Being able to conduct training means we have stakeholder instead of outside this loop. If we're able to also conduct this training, then we have a say in training, and a "seat at the table" as the current bumber sticker slogan goes.
(2) there are various "beaver relocation" non-profits scattered throughout the state, and this means a wide variance in training. (3) WCOs will want to be in on this; if/when nuisance beaver becomes non-dispatch/last resort, being certified to trap and transport live beaver means $$. If WDFW makes dispatch of nuisance beaver a last resort, and advocates relocation, and you as a WCO are not certified, you'll be missing out on key business.
Next portion of the meeting is "Development of Ecosystem Beaver Habitat Management Guidelines & Associated Rulemaking Timelines" You can read between the lines here. As I tried to mention before as the canary in the coal mine, there is a HUGE move afoot to block out areas from trapping for beaver habitat. Now, looking through Rose Colored glasses, in certain areas, well defined, with sunset end-dates, beaver habitat can create wetlands, and a sundry of other positive downstream effects. This is where I part ways with all the nay-sayers get pissy (I get it) and refuse to participate on principal. My opinion. THIS IS COMING. As I brought up before, I heard this from WDFW folks themselves. We either find ways of collaborating and being part of the process, have a say in how the egg is cooked, or sit back and act shocked when decisions come out against us. In talking with a non-profit Beaver Relocation lead, this person wanted us to have a seat at this table and participate in this discussion. Maybe this discussion is happening, but if so, there's a serious bottleneck of information flow...Anyway, this happened in Montana some 30-40 years ago when their Fish and Game created a non-beaver trapping area with no sunset date and guess what-it's still there! We as an Association should be Stakeholders in this process. It will be interesting to say the least! We can either sit back and let this go on without us because we disagree and reap the benefits thereof, or push hard to participate and have some sort of say as trappers and as an organization.
Oh, in the same meeting they are discussing the "Cascade Red Fox".
I look forward to hearing everyone's comments. Some points I plan to make:
1. Prevalence of /testing #s for tularemia. Even in the same watershed, relocation will go upstream, which means contamination will go downstream. I've picked up hints of "There's not tularemia present in X watershed" and then when asked how much testing has been done, I hear "Well...none." well how bout that.
Beaver survey/census. This, for instance, would be of great assistance in the upper Methow/Chewuch area. I still have the beaver census data/info George Brady conducted in the 1970s of the area. One can't say there's no/few beavers if a census hasn't taken place (and we could/should participate!!)
Predator Predation. A common trope of relocation is trappers then came in and trapped out the beavers. I've made it clear that no trapper is going very far off the road with a 50 Lb suitcase trap, and as a local fur buyer, I saw just a handful of beavers from my area come through my door. As we all know, beavers are little tater-tots to predators, and even if the habitat and the like are perfect, if predator control isn't focused on, then all relocation is doing is providing a food-source. Here, there may be downstream positive effects on predators. In SE WA back in 2021/22 Just 9 of 125 elk calves fitted with racking collars in the spring have survived, and cougars accounted for the largest number of carnivore-caused deaths.
Link to meetings: At the top of this page, you want the "Thursday Wildlife meeting" Zoom or call in. When you scroll down to Thursday you'll see this agenda. Next, scroll don to Friday and you'll see the "Public input" section, where you can sign up for testimony or to submit a written message.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings/2024/20-22jun2024-agenda?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0ixzLgMlu8lszRawk3mmZ1KHOPR9goQtOkKRPW0VjOLZ-
