HB 1787 - DIGEST

Declares that, except as otherwise provided, the director shall authorize operators of public airports, as the term "airport" is defined in RCW 47.68.020, to remove or kill wildlife that is posing a threat to human health or safety either on the grounds of a public airport or in the immediate vicinity of the airport. Wildlife removed or killed in the immediate vicinity of an airport must be posing a threat to aircraft taking off or landing at the airport before it can be removed or killed.

Authorizes the operator of a public airport, when acting under the authority granted by the director under this act, to take or kill wildlife in any manner without the permits or licenses required by the department under RCW 77.32.010 or chapter 77.32 RCW.

Provides that the authority granted by the director to an airport operator under this act extends to employees of the federal government invited by the airport operator to control wildlife or otherwise engage in wildlife management at the airport or in the immediate vicinity of the airport.

Provides that nothing in this act authorizes airport operators or federal employees invited to manage wildlife at airports to take or kill species listed as threatened or endangered by the commission under RCW 77.12.020.

Declares that no part of wildlife taken or killed at public airports under the authority granted by the director under this act may be sold, traded, bartered, or exchanged in any manner and must be disposed of in a timely manner by the operator of the airport.

Provides that the director may require airport operators to request the authority to remove or kill wildlife under this act before removal actions are allowed and may require airport operators to submit to the department a summary of the individual animals taken or killed under this act.