BILL REQ. #:  S-0941.1 

Read first time 02/10/2003.   Referred to Committee on Parks, Fish & Wildlife.

     AN ACT Relating to gray wolf management; and adding a new section to chapter 77.12 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The commission shall protect gray wolves and develop management programs on publicly owned lands that will encourage the natural regeneration of gray wolves in areas with suitable habitat. Gray wolves may not be transplanted, augmented, or introduced into the state. Only gray wolves that are native to Washington state may be utilized by the department for management programs. The department is directed to fully participate in all discussions and negotiations with federal and state agencies relating to the management of gray wolves and shall fully communicate, support, and implement the policies of this section.
     (2)(a) For any person or circumstance, whether or not subject to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the provisions of this subsection (2) apply.
     (b) A person releasing a gray wolf within Washington state's borders, or near our state or international borders with full knowledge that the natural range of the gray wolf released may extend into Washington state, shall:
     (i) Implant each gray wolf to be released with a microchip containing, at a minimum, the following specific information for that particular gray wolf: (A) The date and location, by township, range, and section, of original capture; (B) the date and location, by township, range, and section, of any release or planned release; and (C) labeling methods and information to facilitate tracking of the DNA sample obtained from that particular gray wolf.
     (ii) Obtain, and transmit in a timely manner to the director, a DNA sample from each gray wolf to be released, along with documentation providing the following specific information for that particular gray wolf: (A) The date and location, by township, range, and section, of original capture; (B) the date and location, by township, range, and section, of any subsequent, actual release; (C) the type and location of the microchip planted; and (D) labeling methods and information to facilitate tracking of the DNA sample obtained from that particular gray wolf.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.