Oregon House debates House Bill 39 32 to protect beavers on public lands

The Oregon State Legislature convened on April 21, 2025, to discuss House Bill 39 32, which aims to protect beavers and their ecological contributions by limiting trapping on public lands with impaired waterways. The bill's proponents, including Representative Marsh, emphasized the ecological benefits of beavers, such as improving water quality, recharging groundwater, and creating habitats for various species. Marsh argued that allowing beavers to thrive in designated impaired waterways would enhance environmental restoration efforts and reduce the need for costly habitat restoration projects.

The bill proposes to restrict beaver trapping on public lands identified by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as impaired, based on criteria like temperature and sedimentation. Marsh noted that only 4% of beaver harvest occurs on public lands, suggesting that the bill would not significantly impact recreational trapping on private lands. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for managing beavers that cause damage to private property and allows for the reopening of waterways to trapping if they are removed from the impaired list for six consecutive years.

However, the bill faced significant opposition from several representatives, including Bridal, Levy, Boyce, and Osborne. Critics argued that the legislation could lead to unintended ecological consequences by restricting necessary management practices. They expressed concerns that a blanket prohibition on trapping could disrupt local ecosystems, harm agricultural lands, and create conflicts between beavers and landowners. They emphasized the importance of adaptive management and local decision-making, advocating for policies that allow wildlife experts to respond to specific regional conditions rather than imposing rigid regulations.

The discussions highlighted a divide among lawmakers regarding the balance between conservation efforts and effective wildlife management. While supporters of House Bill 39 32 championed the ecological role of beavers, opponents warned that the proposed restrictions could undermine existing wildlife management practices and lead to greater environmental challenges.

As the meeting concluded, the future of House Bill 39 32 remained uncertain, with further deliberations expected as legislators weigh the ecological benefits of beaver protection against the need for responsible wildlife management.