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Planning commission reviews trapping ordinance revisions after public concerns about bear incident
Summary
Commissioners discussed proposed revisions to city trapping code and public comments raising safety concerns after a 2023 incident involving trapped bear cubs; staff await formal feedback from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The City of Ocean Shores Planning Commission on July 22 reviewed public comment and internal discussion on proposed revisions to city code sections concerning trapping, and heard written concerns about an incident in July 2023 in which a local trapper captured two black bear cubs.
Commissioners discussed a redline proposal that changes language from prohibitive to permissive with exceptions and considered whether the ordinance should instead state that trapping is prohibited except for enumerated exceptions. A member of the public, David Lin, submitted written comment and an attached Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) incident report dated July 22, 2023, describing a situation in which officers and a houndsman were required to manage an agitated sow while freeing cubs.
The commission also reported attempts to get formal input from WDFW staff. Chair said Scott Harris of WDFW had indicated he “didn't like it” but had not provided specific written feedback and might not respond before the next meeting. Commissioners noted they had already limited the draft ordinance compared with the RCW language WDFW staff had suggested — specifically, the draft did not adopt the broader RCW provision that would explicitly allow killing animals — and therefore expected additional clarifications from WDFW.
During public remote comment, Jane reiterated concerns about delegating determinations of “property damage” and threats to human safety to a city animal-control officer. Jane asked how property damage would be defined in practice, whether the animal-control officer has the training to assess those claims, and whether determinations should instead be made or reviewed by WDFW. She also urged that domestic animals (dogs and cats) be treated separately from fur-bearing mammals and that criminal classifications be clarified.
Commissioners said they will attempt to secure WDFW feedback and try to place the item on the next agenda. No ordinance or code change was adopted at the meeting; the commission did not vote to finalize language and did not change enforcement or penalties during the session.
Documentary details: the public comment and attached WDFW incident report were submitted July 22, and the commission recorded the written comment from David Lin in the meeting record.
