WDFW proposes changes to livestock depredation compensation rules; seeks authority to pay up to $30,000 without appeal
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Summary
Staff presented a CR‑102 filing and a rule package to clarify definitions, extend filing windows, add a hardship pause, and align WAC language with RCW; the draft would let the department pay up to $30,000 without an administrative appeal and opens public comment through March 16, 2026.
Jim Brown, wildlife conflict section manager in WDFW's landowner services division, presented the department's proposed rule package on Feb. 12 to clarify livestock depredation compensation rules and incorporate many Wildlife Advisory Group (WAG) recommendations.
Brown said the department filed a CR‑102 rule package on Feb. 4, 2026, and summarized key proposals: establish a clear definition of commercial livestock, clarify owner status for leased operations, expand acceptable documentation producers can submit to prove commercial status (with redaction options for private data), restructure lengthy WAC paragraphs for clarity, and remove duplicative definitions already in statute.
On payment authority, Brown explained that the RCW language carries a $30,000 cap (originally set in crop language) while prior WAC text limited the agency's administrative authority to $10,000. Under the draft rule, the department would have authority to pay up to $30,000 without triggering an administrative appeal. "If we're not in disagreement with the amount, then why go through a lengthy appeal process? Appeals can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months," Brown said, arguing the change would speed payments and reduce appeals workload.
The package also targets practical claims processes: two defined claim types (direct confirmed depredations and indirect wolf‑related claims measured by a three‑year running average), expanded valuation sources (recognizing limited availability of certified livestock appraisers), a proposed extension of submission timelines (an additional 30 days up to 120 days in some draft language) and a potential hardship option to pause timelines for producers facing fires, health emergencies or other constraints.
Brown described other procedural changes: clarifying that livestock appraisers are optional, striking an unused livestock appeals committee in favor of existing administrative appeals, and reversing a livestock payment notification rule so that producers would not forfeit payment simply because they did not respond within 60 days.
On funding, Brown said statutory appropriations currently set $50,000 for wolf claims and an additional $25,000 for cougar claims, with a special wolf conflict account (19W) that carries forward unspent funds; that account has been drawn down in recent years. He reported recent paid claims by fiscal year (as presented): FY23 ~$25,002.78, FY24 ~$113,004.16, FY25 ~$84,340, and said the department currently estimates between $80,000 and $100,000 in claims for the current year. Staff emphasized that any change to statutory appropriations would require legislative action.
Public comment on the CR‑102 package is open through March 16, 2026, and the committee was told that a public hearing would be held March 13 in Walla Walla to allow producers on the east side to testify; the department aims to have the rules in place by June 2026 before grazing season.
Commissioners questioned whether rising cattle prices make the cap inadequate and whether the agency will seek additional legislative funding; staff said internal budget planning (the 2729 process) has not yet produced a formal request but the issue is being discussed for future budget cycles. No formal rule adoption occurred at the briefing; the record is open for public comment through mid‑March.
