Wolf-livestock conflict deterrence

Rule-making status: Withdrawn

Summary of proposed rule

The department proposed a new rule section WAC 220-440-260 and amendments to the current WAC 220-440-080.

Scope and rationale for proposed rule

This proposal was in response to a decision by Governor Jay Inslee on September 2020 to grant a petition for rule making for wolf management with the goal of instituting practices that will avoid the repeated loss of wolves and livestock in Washington.

Under the umbrella of the 2011 Wolf Conservation and Management Plan goals, the purpose of amending a rule and
adopting a new rule related to wolf management in Chapter 220-440 WAC is to:

1) establish procedure for identifying WDFW expectations for use non- lethal tools to mitigate wolf -livestock
conflict in areas of chronic conflict, while recognizing the use of non-lethal tools is encouraged statewide; and
2) establish criteria for the use of WDFW’s lethal removal authority in areas of chronic wolf-livestock conflict.

Public comments

The public comment period has closed as of April 11, 2022.

To view comments submitted for this proposal, please visit the Wolf-livestock Conflict Deterrence Rule Making public engagement page.

Public hearing

April 8, 2022 at 12:40 pm - Webinar
This meeting will take place by webinar. The public may participate in the meeting. Registration is required to testify at the public hearing. Registration deadlines and registration forms are available on the Commission Meetings page or you may contact the Commission office at (360) 902-2267.

State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)

The public comment period has closed as of April 11, 2022.

The Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) is now available.

A comment period for the draft SEPA Determination ran concurrently with the rule making comment period. You may view comments submitted on these documents by visiting the SEPA Wolf-livestock Deterrence public engagement page.

  • July 8, 2022

    Fish and Wildlife Commission Decision

    During a Special Commission Meeting, the Commission voted 5-4 to adopt Alternative 4, the "No Action" alternative. Therefore, the rule was not adopted and the existing policy will remain in place.

  • June 23-25, 2022

    Fish and Wildlife Commission Follow-up Discussion #2

    The commission is expected to continue further discussion on the proposed rule.

  • May 13, 2022

    Fish and Wildlife Commission Follow-up Discussion #1

    The commission continued discussion on the proposed rule.

  • April 8, 2022

    Briefing and Public Hearing

    The public is encouraged to provide verbal testimony on the proposed rule during the public hearing.

  • February 2022

    Expected CR-102 Proposed Rule Making Filing

    The public is encouraged to comment at that time. The related State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) determination will also be made available for public comment at this time.

  • December 2, 2021

    Draft Rule presented to FWC Wolf Committee

  • October 13, 2020

    CR-101 Preproposal filed with Code Reviser

    Initial preproposal announcement of intent to develop rule making. 

October 2020

For more information

Listen to the Audio Recording of the December 2, 2021 briefing to the FWC Wolf Committee.

Staff Contact: wolfrule@dfw.wa.gov

Assistance for Additional Accessibility and Persons with Disabilities Contact:
Title VI/ADA Compliance Coordinator  
Phone: (360) 902-2349, TTY: 1-800-833-6388 OR 711  
Email: Title6@dfw.wa.gov

Assistance for additional accessibility and persons with disabilities contact:
833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.