6141-S AMH .... CALL 097
6141-S AMH ERIM CALL 097
SSB 6141 - H AMD 562
By Representative Ericks
WITHDRAWN 4/6/2007
On page 1, line 18, after "outbreaks of" insert "improperly managed burrowing mammals that threaten forest regeneration and"
On page 2, line 8, after "species;" insert "maximizing landowner investments in reforestation after a harvest;"
On page 4, line 28, strike "and"
On page 4, line 34, after "agents" insert "; and
(d) Coordinate with the department of fish and wildlife to provide forest landowners with technical information relating to the management of burrowing mammals that have the potential to damage newly planted trees or otherwise threaten the future health of a forest by hampering reforestation efforts"
On page 22, after line 32, insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:
The legislature finds that, although the department of natural resources has the lead role in managing forest health under chapter 76.06 RCW, the department of fish and wildlife should play an active role and assist in forest health efforts that involve or address wildlife species. The legislature further finds that reforestation is an important aspect in the health of the next generation of the state's forests, and that reforestation efforts can be hampered by uncontrolled populations of burrowing mammals that damage the root system and woody stems of newly planted seedlings.
Sec. 15. RCW 77.15.192 and 2001 c 1 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
The definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 77.15.194 through 77.15.198.
(1) "Animal" means any nonhuman vertebrate.
(2) "Body-gripping trap" means a trap that grips an animal's body or body part. Body-gripping trap includes, but is not limited to, steel-jawed leghold traps, padded-jaw leghold traps, Conibear traps, neck snares, and nonstrangling foot snares. (( Cage and box traps, suitcase-type live beaver traps, and common rat and mouse traps are not considered body- gripping traps)) The term "body-gripping trap" does not include cage and box traps, suitcase type live beaver traps, common traps used to capture rats and mice, and traps commonly used to capture the following burrowing mammals: mountain beavers, moles, and gophers.
(3) "Person" means a human being and, where appropriate, a public or private corporation, an unincorporated association, a partnership, a government, or a governmental instrumentality.
(4) "Raw fur" means a pelt that has not been processed for purposes of retail sale.
(5) "Animal problem" means any animal that threatens or damages timber or private property or threatens or injures livestock or any other domestic animal."
Renumber the sections consecutively, correct any internal references accordingly, and correct the title.
EFFECT: Adds intent language referencing the threats to forest health caused by burrowing mammals, encourages the Department of Fish and Wildlife to work with the Department of Natural Resources to help manage threats to forest health caused by burrowing mammals, and exempts common traps used to capture certain burrowing mammals from the definition of "body-gripping traps".