SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5106

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Natural Resources, February 17, 1995

Title:  An act relating to grizzly bear management.

Brief Description:  Providing for grizzly bear management.

Sponsors:  Senators Morton, Owen, Drew, Sellar, Hochstatter, Fraser, Newhouse, Prince, Haugen and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources:  1/31/95, 2/17/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5106 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Drew, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; A. Anderson, Hargrove, Haugen, Morton, Oke, Owen, Snyder, Strannigan and Swecker.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background:  Grizzly bears are an endangered species existing in very small populations in remote areas of the state.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Department of Fish and Wildlife will not transport or introduce in the state grizzly bears that are not native to the state of Washington.  The department will protect grizzly bears and develop management programs that will encourage the natural regeneration of grizzly bears.

The department will coordinate and negotiate with federal and state agencies.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill is the same as the original bill, but the act will apply to public lands and the department will coordinate and negotiate with federal and state agencies.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  There are public safety concerns with bringing down grizzly bears from Canada.  We should work with our existing population of bears.

Testimony Against:  More bears are needed in the Cascade Mountains to maintain the species.

Testified:  Rick Wagner, Backcountry Horsemen (pro); Gary Rowland, Modern Firearm Hunters (pro); Kent Lebsack, Cattlemen (pro); Department of Fish and Wildlife (con); Ron Shultz, Audubon Society (con); Mitch Friedman, Greater Ecosystem Alliance (con).