SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 6387
AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1994
Brief Description: Providing for grizzly bear management.
SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Owen, Morton, Oke, Sellar, Hargrove, M. Rasmussen and Haugen)
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6387 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; Hargrove, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Erwin, Franklin, Haugen, Oke, Sellar, Snyder and Spanel.
Staff: Ross Antipa (786‑7413)
Hearing Dates: February 2, 1994; February 4, 1994
BACKGROUND:
Grizzly bears are an endangered species existing in very small populations in remote areas of the state.
Some persons are concerned only native bears shall be managed, and introduced grizzlies could be a threat to human safety.
SUMMARY:
The Department of Wildlife shall not transplant or introduce grizzly bears into the state. Only native grizzly bears may be managed by the department in areas with suitable habitat.
Department of Wildlife grizzly bear management shall only apply to public lands.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: none requested
TESTIMONY FOR:
Grizzly bears can cause injury or death to humans and imported bears pose an unknown risk.
TESTIMONY AGAINST:
All management tools should be utilized for grizzly bear recovery.
TESTIFIED: Rich Wagner, Backcountry Horsemen (pro); Loren McGovern, Backcountry Horsemen (pro); Matt Norton, Greater Ecosystem Alliance (con); Joe Scott, Greater Ecosystem Alliance (con); Ken Lebsack, WA Cattlemen's Assn. (pro); Pat McCourt; Harriet Allen, WA Dept. of Wildlife; Eddie Armstrong, WA State Horse Council (con)