Committee hears bill to let counties convene local wolf-management work groups

House members and stakeholders opened public hearings Feb. 5 on House Bill 14 42, a proposal that would let counties where gray wolves meet specific population thresholds prompt the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to treat wolves as if they were removed from the state endangered list in that area and to convene locally led, facilitated work groups to develop management plans.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Hunter Abel, said the measure reflects conditions in northeastern Washington and is intended to give local governments and affected parties more control over management. “This bill…is an effort to work hand in glove with a bill introduced by my seatmate,” Abel said, arguing the measure responds to “reality on the ground” in the Seventh Legislative District.

Rebecca Lewis, staff to the committee, summarized the bill’s requirements for members: the department would manage wolves as if delisted in any county or portion of a county where (1) there are at least three documented breeding pairs and (2) the…