SENATE RESOLUTION

                                                    1994-8696

By Senators Owen, Bluechel, Hargrove, McDonald, Amondson, Bauer, Morton, Snyder, Hochstatter, Oke and Ludwig

         WHEREAS,  Grizzly bears were once an important component of the mammalian fauna of Washington state; and

         WHEREAS, Grizzly bear populations have greatly decreased in recent times; and

         WHEREAS, The grizzly bear recovery team is developing recommendations for the recovery of grizzly bear populations in the Pacific Northwest region; and

         WHEREAS, Recommendations for grizzly bear recovery may include the transplantation of grizzly bears into the state; and

         WHEREAS, Transplantation of grizzly bears into areas with high usage by recreating humans could cause conflicts between grizzly bears and humans; and

         WHEREAS, Conflicts between grizzly bears and humans in other areas have resulted in injury or death of humans and in injury or death of grizzly bears; and

         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Washington supports the recovery of the grizzly bear population, while assuring the safety of people who recreate in the recovery zone;

         NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate does not support the transplantation of grizzly bears into the state, and that recovery of grizzly bears shall only involve the grizzly bears that are native to the state; and

         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Fish and Wildlife Commission, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the grizzly bear recovery team.