DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

Definitions used in rules of the fish and wildlife commission are defined in RCW 77.08.010, and the definitions for wildlife interactions are defined in RCW 77.36.010. In addition, unless otherwise provided, the following definitions are applicable to this chapter:

"Act of damaging" means that private property is in the process of being damaged by wildlife((, and the wildlife are on the private property, which contains commercial crops, pasture, or livestock)).

"Big game" means those animals listed in RCW 77.08.030.

"Claim" means an application to the department for compensation under this chapter.

"Claimant" means owner of commercial crop ((or)), livestock, or other property who has filed a wildlife damage claim for cash compensation.

"Commercial crop" means a commercially raised horticultural and/or agricultural product and includes the growing or harvested product, but does not include livestock, forest land, or rangeland. For the purposes of this chapter, Christmas trees and managed pasture grown using agricultural methods including one or more of the following: Seeding, planting, fertilizing, irrigating, and all parts of horticultural trees, are considered a commercial crop and are eligible for cash compensation.

"Compensation" means a cash payment, materials, or service.

"Completed written claim" means that all of the information required on a department ((crop or livestock)) property damage claim form is supplied and complete, including all supplemental information and certifications required to process the claim.

"Damage" means economic losses caused by wildlife interactions.

"Damage claim assessment" means department approved methods to evaluate crop loss and value caused by deer or elk damage to commercial crops, ((or)) livestock losses and value caused by bear, cougar, or wolves, or damages to other property.

"Domestic animal" means any animal that is lawfully possessed and controlled by a person.

"Eligible farmer" means an owner who satisfies the definition of eligible farmer pursuant to RCW 82.08.855 (4)(b)(i) through (iv).

"Emergent" means an unforeseen circumstance beyond the control of the landowner or tenant, that presents a real and immediate threat to crops, domestic animals, or fowl.

"Game animal" means wild animals that shall not be hunted except as authorized by the commission.

"Guard dog" means dogs trained for the purpose of protecting livestock from attack by wildlife or for herding livestock.

"Immediate family member" means spouse, state registered domestic partner, brother, sister, grandparent, parent, child, or grandchild.

"Immediate threat of physical harm" means that animal-to-human bodily contact is imminent; and the animal is in attack posture/mode.

"Livestock" means horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, donkeys, mules, llamas, and alpacas.

"Owner" means a person who has a legal right to commercial crops, ((commercial)) livestock, or other private property that was damaged during a wildlife interaction.

"Physical act of attacking" means actual or imminent animal-to-human or animal-to-animal physical contact.

"Public hunting" means an owner satisfies the "public hunting" requirement for his or her land, as defined in WAC 232-36-300.

"Wild animal" means those species of the class Mammalia whose members exist in Washington in a wild state.

"Wildlife control operator" means a person who has successfully completed the training and obtained one or more levels of certification from the department to assist landowners to prevent or control problems caused by wildlife.

"Wildlife interaction" means the negative interaction and the resultant damage between wildlife and commercial crops, ((commercial)) livestock, or other property.

The department is the primary source for property owners seeking to determine legal and effective remedies for addressing wildlife interactions. Protection of property using nonlethal techniques is the primary response encouraged by the department. Harassment and/or lethal removal may also be important techniques to protect human safety or to protect property. The following criteria describe the compensation available to protect property ((that does not qualify under commercial crop or livestock damage)):

(1) ((Unless specifically appropriated by the legislature,)) Cash compensation will ((not)) only be provided to property owners by the department if the funds are appropriated by the legislature or provided through local or federal grants or contracts.

(2) Compensation will be prioritized in the following order:

(a) As conditioned by the legislature or granting entity.

(b) Property prioritization:

(i) Private property that is primarily designed for public use, where there is a human safety risk not addressed by other entities.

(ii) Private property that directly contributes to commercial crop or to livestock production.

(iii) Private property used for other business purposes.

(iv) Public property.

(v) Residential property.

(vi) Recreational property.

(((b))) (c) Species prioritization:

(i) Damages caused by wildlife listed as endangered, threatened, sensitive, or categories of concern by the state or federal government.

(ii) Damages caused by big game animals.

(iii) Other federal and state protected species.

(iv) Other wildlife species except unclassified species and predatory birds.

(3) The department may make agreements with private landowners to prevent property damage. These agreements may include the use of:

(a) Best management practices to reduce risk of private property damage;

(b) Scaring or hazing materials;

(c) Fencing materials;

(d) Volunteers referred by the department for hazing, fence repair, etc; and

(e) Lethal removal options.

(4) Private property owners must utilize nonlethal abatement techniques prior to requesting other compensation from the department or before utilizing lethal techniques ((as outlined in WAC 232-36-050)).

(a) Use of nonlethal techniques must be documented and consistent with procedures and requirements established by the department.

(b) Evidence of damage (e.g., photographs) must be provided by the property owner.

(c) Property owner must comply with reporting requirements of the department.

(5) Wildlife may not be captured and transported or relocated off the owner's property (parcel where damage occurred) unless:

(a) Authorized by rule of the commission; or

(b) By written permit from the department; and

(c) Owner is in compliance with department rules, permits, and reporting requirements.

(6) The department will establish written procedures for assisting private property owners, using the criteria and priorities provided in this rule. The procedures will include enlistment of partners and volunteers through agreements, permits, and incentives to help mitigate wildlife interactions.

The fish and wildlife commission is authorized to classify wildlife as game, and/or as endangered or protected species, and/or as a predatory bird consistent with RCW 77.08.010 and 77.12.020. The commission is also authorized, pursuant to RCW 77.36.030, to establish the limitations and conditions on killing or trapping wildlife that is causing ((property)) damage on private property. The department may authorize, pursuant to RCW 77.12.240 the killing of wildlife destroying or injuring property.

The conditions for killing wildlife vary, based primarily on the classification of the wildlife species, the imminent nature of the threat to damage private property, the type of private property damage, and the preventive and nonlethal methods employed by the person prior to the damage event. Additional conditions defined by the department may also be important, depending on individual situations. Killing wildlife to address private property damage is subject to all other state and federal laws including, but not limited to, Titles 77 RCW and 232 WAC.

(1) It is unlawful to kill protected species (as defined in WAC 232-12-011) or endangered species (as defined in WAC 232-12-014) unless authorized by commission rule or with a permit from the department, with the following additional requirements:

(2) Killing wildlife causing damage to a commercial crop or ((commercial)) to livestock.

(((a))) It is permissible to kill unclassified wildlife, predatory birds, and ((big)) game animals that are in the act of damaging commercial crops or attacking livestock or other domestic animals, under the following conditions:

(((i))) (a) Predatory birds (defined in RCW 77.08.010(39)) and unclassified wildlife that are in the act of damaging commercial crops or attacking livestock or other domestic animals may be killed with the express permission of the owner at any time on private property, to protect domestic animals, livestock, or commercial crops ((or livestock)).

(((ii))) (b) An owner with a valid, written damage prevention agreement with the department may kill an individual (one) ((big)) game animal while it is in the act of damaging commercial crops; a permit will be provided if authorized in the agreement.

(((iii))) (c) An individual (one) ((big)) game animal may be killed during the physical act of attacking livestock or domestic animals.

(((iv))) (d) Multiple ((big)) game animals may be killed while they are in the act of damaging commercial crops or attacking livestock if the owner is issued a kill permit by the department.

(((v))) (e) A damage prevention agreement or kill permit must include: An approved checklist of the reasonable preventative and nonlethal means that must be employed prior to lethal removal; a description of the properties where lethal removal is allowed; the species and sex of the animal that may be killed; the terms of the agreement/permit; the dates when lethal removal is authorized; who may kill the animal(s); and other conditions developed within department procedural documents.

(2))) (3) Killing wildlife causing damage or killing wildlife to prevent private property damage.

(a) An individual (one) ((big)) game animal may be killed during the physical act of attacking ((livestock or pets)) domestic animals.

(b) Predatory birds (as defined in RCW 77.08.010(39)), unclassified wildlife, and eastern gray squirrels may be killed with the express permission of the property owner at any time, to prevent private property damage on private real property.

(c) Subject to subsection (((6))) (7) of this section, the following list of wildlife species may be killed with the express permission of the owner, when causing damage to private property: Raccoon, fox, bobcat, beaver, muskrat, mink, river otter, weasel, hare, and cottontail rabbits.

(d) The department may make agreements with landowners to prevent private property damage by wildlife. The agreements may include special hunting season permits such as: Landowner damage prevention permits, spring black bear hunting permits, permits issued through the landowner hunting permit program, kill permits, and Master Hunter permits.

(e) Landowners are encouraged to allow general season hunters during established hunting seasons on their property to help minimize damage potential and concerns.

(((3))) (4) Wildlife control operators may assist property owners under the conditions of their permit, as established in WAC 232-36-060 and 232-36-065.

(((4))) (5) Tribal members may assist property owners under the conditions of valid comanagement agreements between tribes and the department. Tribes must be in compliance with the agreements including, but not limited to, adhering to reporting requirements and harvest restrictions.

(((5))) (6) Hunting licenses and tags are not required to kill wildlife under this section, unless the killing is pursuant to subsections (((2))) (3)(c) and (d) of this section. Tribal members operating under subsection (((4))) (5) of this section are required to meet tribal hunting license, tag, and permit requirements.

(((6))) (7) Except as specifically provided in a permit from the department or a rule of the commission, people taking wildlife under this rule are subject to the laws and rules of the state including, but not limited to, those found in Titles 77 RCW and 220 and 232 WAC.

The commission is authorized, pursuant to RCW 77.36.030, to establish the limitations and conditions on killing or trapping wildlife that is causing damage on private property. The department may authorize, pursuant to RCW 77.12.240 the killing of wildlife destroying or injuring property. Killing wildlife to address private property damage is subject to all other state and federal laws including, but not limited to, Titles 77 RCW and 232 WAC.

(1) An owner of domestic animals, the owner's immediate family member, the agent of an owner, or the owner's documented employee may kill one gray wolf (Canis lupus) without a permit issued by the director, regardless of its state classification, if the wolf is attacking their domestic animals.

(a) This section applies to the area of the state where the gray wolf is not listed as endangered or threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.

(b) Any wolf killed under this authority must be reported to the department within twenty-four hours.

(c) The wolf carcass must be surrendered to the department.

(d) The owner of the domestic animal must grant or assist the department in gaining access to the property where the wolf was killed for the purposes of data collection or incident investigation.

(2) If the department finds that a private citizen killed a gray wolf that was not attacking a domestic animal, or that the killing was not consistent with this rule, then that person may be prosecuted for unlawful taking of endangered wildlife under RCW 77.15.120.

(3) In addition to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the director may authorize additional removals by permit under the authority of RCW 77.12.240.

For purposes of training individuals to assist landowners with employing nonlethal management techniques, or to harass, kill, trap, release, and dispatch animals that are causing damage to private property, the director or his/her designee may issue wildlife control operator (WCO) certifications.

(1) To qualify for WCO certification, applicants must:

(a) Be at least eighteen years of age;

(b) Take and complete the department's WCO certifications course;

(c) Be certified by the department and have the equipment, knowledge, and ability to control the wildlife species causing conflict or property damage;

(d) Be legally eligible to possess a firearm and without a felony or domestic violence conviction including, but not limited to, convictions under chapter 9.41 RCW, unless firearm possession rights have been restored;

(e) Not have a gross misdemeanor fish and wildlife conviction within the last five years; and

(f) Pay the enrollment fee for each certification training/education. After July 1, 2010, this fee shall be fifty dollars (RCW 77.12.184) per certification.

(2) Once a person is granted WCO certification, he or she must apply for a permit pursuant to WAC 232-36-065 in order to harass, kill, trap, release, or dispatch animals causing damage to private property.

Pursuant to this section, the department may distribute money appropriated by the legislature to pay commercial crop damage caused by wild deer or elk in the amount of up to ten thousand dollars per claim, unless following an appeal the department is ordered to pay more (see RCW 77.36.130(2)). The department shall develop claim procedures and application forms consistent with this section for cash compensation of commercial crop damage. Partnerships with other public and private organizations to assist with completion of applications, assessment of damage, and to provide funding for compensation are encouraged.

Filing a claim:

(1) Owners who have worked with the department to prevent deer or elk damage, yet who still experience loss and meet eligibility requirements, may file a claim for cash compensation.

(2) The claimant must notify the department within seventy-two hours of discovery of crop damage and at least seventy-two hours prior to harvest of the claimed crop.

(3) A complete, written claim must be submitted to the department within sixty days of when the damage stops.

(4) Owners may only file one claim per year. Multiple partners in a farming operation are considered one owner. Operations involving multiple partners must designate a "primary grower" to receive payment from the department.

(5) The claim form declaration must be signed, affirming that the information provided is factual and truthful per the certification set out in RCW 9A.72.085, before the department will process the claim.

(6) In addition to a completed claim form, an applicant must provide:

(a) A copy of applicant's Schedule F of Form 1040, Form 1120, or other applicable forms filed with the Internal Revenue Service or other documentation indicating the applicant's gross sales or harvested value of commercial crops for the previous tax year.

(b) The assessment method used consistent with WAC 232-36-120, valuation of property damage.

(c) Applicant must provide proof of ownership of claimed commercial crops or contractual lease of claimed commercial crops consistent with department procedural requirements for submission of documents.

(d) Written documentation of approved methodology used to assess and determine final crop loss and value.

(e) Applicant must provide records documenting average yield on claimed crop and parcel, certified yield reports, production reports and weight certificates completed at the time weighed for claimed year, and other applicable documents that support yield loss and current market price. Current market price will be determined less transportation and cleaning costs when applicable.

(f) Declaration signed under penalty of perjury as provided in RCW 9A.72.085, indicating that the applicant is eligible for the claim, meets eligibility requirements listed under this section, and that all claim evaluation and assessment information in the claim application is to the best knowledge of the claimant true and accurate.

(g) Copy of the insurance policy and payment on the commercial crop where loss is claimed.

(h) Copy of application for other sources of loss compensation and any payment or denial documentation.

Damage claim assessment:

(7) Damage claim assessment of amount and value of commercial crop loss is the primary responsibility of the claimant. A crop damage evaluation and assessment must be conducted by a licensed crop insurance adjustor:

(a) The owner must submit a damage claim assessment prepared by a crop insurance adjustor licensed by the state of Washington and certified by the federal crop insurance service.

(b) The department will provide the claimant with a list of approved adjustors and written authorization to proceed with an assessment. The owner must select an adjustor from the approved list and arrange for the completion of a crop damage assessment. Adjustor fees will be the ((shared)) responsibility of the ((owner and the)) department.

(c) The department or the owner may accept the damage claim assessment provided by the licensed adjuster or may hire a state licensed adjustor of their choosing and conduct a separate assessment or evaluation of the crop loss amount and value. The party hiring an adjustor to conduct a separate assessment or evaluation is responsible for payment of all fees.

(8) Disagreement between the claimant and the department over the crop loss value may be settled through an adjudicative proceeding.

Settlement of claims:

(9) ((Subject to money appropriated to pay commercial crop damage, undisputed claims will be paid, less one-half of the crop adjustor's fee or a maximum of six hundred dollars for the owner's share of the crop adjustor's fee.)) The crop adjustor's fee is not subject to the ten thousand dollar payment limit per owner.

(10) Compensation paid by the department, in addition to any other compensation received by the claimant, may not exceed the total value of the assessed crop loss.

(11) The owner will be notified by the department upon completion of the evaluation and has sixty days to accept or appeal the department's offer for settlement of the claim, or the claim is considered satisfied and not subject to appeal.

(12) The department shall prioritize payment for commercial crop damage in the order the claims were received or upon final adjudication of an appeal. If the department is unable to make a payment for commercial crop damage during the ((first)) current fiscal year ((of a biennium)), the claim shall be held over until the following fiscal year when funds become available. Claims that are carried over will take first priority and receive payment before any new claims are paid. ((Claims will not be carried from one biennium to the next.))

Owners who have worked with the department to prevent depredation but continue to experience losses, or who experience unforeseen losses, may be eligible to file a damage claim and receive cash compensation. Cash compensation will only be provided to livestock owners by the department when specifically appropriated by the legislature or other funding entity. Damages payable under this section are limited to the lost or diminished value of ((commercial)) livestock caused by wild bears, cougars, or wolves and shall be paid only to the owner of the livestock, without assignment. Cash compensation for livestock losses from bears, cougars, and wolves shall not include damage to other real or personal property, including other vegetation or animals, consequential damages, or any other damages ((including)) except veterinarian services may be eligible. However, livestock owners under written agreement with the department will be compensated consistent with their agreement which may extend beyond the limitations in this section. The department is authorized to pay ((up to two hundred dollars per sheep and one thousand five hundred dollars per head of cattle or per horse)) the market value for the livestock or guard dog lost, the market value of reduced weight gains for livestock, and no more than ten thousand dollars to the ((commercial)) livestock owner per claim.

Claims for cash compensation will be denied when:

(1) Funds for livestock compensation have not been specifically appropriated by the legislature or other funding entity;

(2) The claim is for livestock other than sheep, cattle, or horses, when only state funds are available; or any domestic animals not allowed by the funding entity;

(3) ((The owner of the commercial livestock does not meet the definition of "eligible farmer" in RCW 82.08.855 (4)(b)(i) through (iv);

(5))) The owner fails to provide the department with an approved checklist of the preventative and nonlethal means that have been employed, or the owner failed to comply with the terms and conditions of his or her agreement(s) with the department;

(((6))) (4) The owner has accepted noncash compensation to offset livestock losses in lieu of cash. Acceptance of noncash compensation will constitute full and final payment for livestock losses within a fiscal year;

(((7))) (5) Damages to the ((commercial)) livestock or other domestic animals claimed are covered by insurance or are eligible for payment from other entities. However, any portion of the damage not covered by others is eligible for filing a claim with the department;

(((8))) (6) The owner fails to provide on-site access to the department or designee for inspection and investigation of alleged attack or to verify eligibility for claim;

(((9))) (7) The owner has not provided a completed written claim form and all other required information, or met required timelines prescribed within this chapter;

(((10))) (8) No claim will be processed if the owner fails to sign a statement affirming that the facts and supporting documents are truthful to the best of the owner's knowledge; or

(((11))) (9) The owner or designee has salvaged or rendered the carcass or allowed it to be scavenged without an investigation completed under the direction of the department((; or

(12) The department has expended all funds appropriated for payment of such claims for the current fiscal year)).

Pursuant to this section, the department may distribute money specifically appropriated by the legislature or other funding entity to pay ((commercial)) livestock or guard dog losses caused by wild bear, cougar, or wolves in the amount of up to ten thousand dollars per claim unless, following an appeal, the department is ordered to pay more (see RCW 77.36.130(2)). The department will develop claim procedures and application forms consistent with this section for cash compensation of ((commercial)) livestock or guard dog losses. Partnerships with other public and private organizations to assist with completion of applications, assessment of losses, and to provide funding for compensation are encouraged.

Filing a claim:

(1) Owners who have worked with the department to prevent livestock depredation, yet who still experience loss or losses that occur under emergent situations, may file a claim for cash compensation if they meet eligibility requirements.

(2) Claimant must notify the department within twenty-four hours of discovery of livestock or other domestic animal attack or as soon as feasible.

(3) Damage claim assessment of amount and value of ((commercial livestock)) domestic animal loss is the primary responsibility of the claimant.

(4) ((Assessment)) Investigation of the loss and review and approval of the assessment will be conducted by the department:

(a) The owner must provide access to department staff or designees to investigate the cause of death or injury to ((livestock)) domestic animals and use reasonable measures to protect evidence at the depredation site.

(b) Federal officials may be responsible for the investigation when it is suspected that the attack was by a federally listed species.

(5) Claimant must request a damage claim application within ten days of a loss.

(6) A complete, written claim must be submitted to the department within sixty days of an attack on ((commercial livestock)) domestic animals.

(7) The claim form declaration must be signed, affirming that the information provided is factual and truthful, before the department will process a claim.

(8) In addition to a completed claim form, an applicant must provide:

(a) ((A copy of applicant's Schedule F of Form 1040, Form 1120, or other applicable forms filed with the Internal Revenue Service indicating the applicant's gross sales or value of commercial livestock for the previous tax year.

(b))) Claimant must provide proof of legal ownership or contractual lease of claimed livestock.

(((c))) (b) Claimant must provide records documenting ((livestock)) the value of the domestic animal based on current market price.

(((d))) (c) Declaration signed under penalty of perjury indicating that the applicant is eligible for the claim, meets eligibility requirements listed under this ((section)) chapter, and all claim evaluation and assessment information in the claim application is to the best knowledge of the claimant true and accurate.

(((e))) (d) Copy of any insurance policy covering ((livestock)) loss claimed.

(((f))) (e) Copy of application for other sources of loss compensation and any payment or denial documentation.

Settlement of claims:

(9) Subject to money appropriated to pay for ((commercial livestock)) domestic animal losses, undisputed claims will be paid up to ten thousand dollars.

(10) Valuation of the lost livestock will be determined by the market at the time the animals would normally be sold. Livestock will be valued based on the average weight of herd mates at the time of sale multiplied by the cash market price received; depredated cows or ewes will be replaced based on the value of a bred animal of the same age and type as the one lost, and bulls will be replaced using actual purchase price prorated based on a four-year depreciation cycle minus salvage value. The department may utilize the services of a certified livestock appraiser to assist in the evaluation of livestock claims.

(12) Compensation paid by the department, in addition to any other compensation, may not exceed the total value of the assessed ((livestock)) loss.

(((11))) (13) Upon completion of the evaluation, the department will notify the owner of its decision to either deny the claim or make a settlement offer (order). The owner has sixty days from the date received to accept the department's offer for settlement of the claim or to submit an appeal of the order. The response must be in writing and the signed document may be mailed or submitted by fax or e-mail. If no written acceptance or request for appeal is received, the offer is considered rejected and not subject to appeal.

(((12))) (14) If the claimant accepts the department's offer, the department will send payment to the owner within thirty days from receipt of the written acceptance document.

(15) The department will prioritize payment for ((commercial)) livestock losses in the order the claims were received or upon final adjudication of an appeal. If the department is unable to make a payment for ((commercial)) livestock losses during the ((first)) current fiscal year ((of a biennium)), the claim shall be held over until the following fiscal year when funds become available. Claims that are carried over will take first priority and receive payment before any new claims are paid. ((Claims will not be carried from one biennium to the next.))

For claims where the owner has met all claim eligibility criteria and procedures, but ultimately rejects the written settlement offer (order) for crop or livestock loss and/or value assessment, the provisions of this section shall apply:

Informal resolution:

(1) If the owner rejects the property loss or value assessment and would like to discuss a negotiated settlement, he or she can request a meeting by notifying the department in writing within ten days of receiving the settlement offer or claim denial (order).

(2) A department representative and the owner or designee(s) will meet and attempt to come to mutual resolution.

(3) A livestock appeals committee may be established with a minimum of ((three)) six citizen members appointed by ((statewide livestock organization(s),)) the director, and a representative from the department of fish and wildlife((, and a representative from the department of agriculture)) to review and recommend a settlement if requested by the claimant or the department. The citizen members must represent a variety of interests including at least: Three statewide organizations representing the interests of livestock owners; two representing wildlife advocates; and one at large.

(4) Monetary compensation or noncash compensation, mutually agreed upon by both the department and owner, shall be binding and constitute full and final payment for claim.

(5) If parties cannot agree upon damages, or the owner wishes to appeal the claim denial or the department's settlement offer (order), the owner may request an adjudicative proceeding consistent with chapter 34.05 RCW within sixty days of receiving a copy of the department's decision.

(6) The request must comply with the following:

(a) The request must be in writing, and the signed document may be mailed or submitted by fax or e-mail;

(b) It must clearly identify the order being contested (or attach a copy of the order);

(c) It must state the grounds on which the order is being contested and include the specific facts of the order that are relevant to the appeal; and

(d) The request must identify the relief being requested from the proceeding (e.g., modifying specific provisions of the order).

(7) The proceeding may only result in the reversal or modification of an order when the preponderance of evidence shows:

(a) The order was not authorized by law or rule;

(b) A fact stated in the order is not supported by substantial evidence;

(c) The award amount offered is inconsistent with applicable procedures; or

(d) Material evidence was made available by the owner at the time of the damage assessment, but was not considered in the order.

(8) The burden of proof is on the appellant (owner) to show that he or she is eligible for a claim and that the damage assessment is reliable (see RCW 77.36.130(4)).

(9) Findings of the hearings officer are subject to the annual funding limits appropriated by the legislature and payment rules (WAC 232-36-110(12), 232-36-210(9), and 232-36-260) of the commission.