The state of Washington could spend nearly 1 million dollars over the next two years on nonlethal ways to keep wolves from killing livestock in northeast Washington.
A legislative proposal with support from ranchers and some wildlife advocates has already passed the House, and received approval Tuesday from Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources, and Parks Committee.
It would direct the Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop different management plans for wolves in different regions of the state, with more support to control wolves in the part of the state where they are rapidly multiplying. The bill would require the department to increase staff in Stevens and Ferry counties and contract for efforts that would deter wolves from preying on livestock without killing the predators. It wouldn’t prohibit killing wolves in certain circumstances, which is currently allowed under state law.
A spokesperson for Conservation Northwest told lawmakers developing different plans for handling the heavier concentration of wolves in the northeastern counties makes sense, and the legislation would keep wolf populations viable while protecting livestock. (Spokesman-Review)
