The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is proposing to reclassify the gray wolf in the state of Washington. If adopted, the gray wolf would move from Endangered status under WAC 220-610-010 to Sensitive status under WAC 220-200-100, reflecting the significant progress toward recovery that Washington’s wolf population has made since the original state listing in 1980.
Please refer to the proposed rule making documents at: wdfw.wa.gov -rulemaking gray wolf.
You can add comments into the text boxes below, or e-mail with or without attachments to graywolf2024@publicinput.com, or leave a voicemail message at 855-925-2801 and enter project code 6505.
For more information about the status of the gray wolf, please visit https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/02427.
Purpose of the proposal and its anticipated effects:
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is proposing to reclassify the gray wolf in the state of Washington. This proposed change, if adopted, would change the gray wolf from endangered status under WAC 220-610-010 to sensitive status under WAC 220-200-100.
The anticipated effects of the proposed rule amendments would be minimal. Protective measures will remain in effect for wolves in Washington if the proposed rule amendments are approved. Changing the classification of wolves to state Sensitive status would continue to protect them from unlawful take under Chapter 77.15 RCW. The species would continue to be protected from malicious and intentional harassment. RCW 77.15.130 outlines that Sensitive wildlife shall not be hunted, taken, or harassed. In addition, the proposed Sensitive status is a sub-category of protected wildlife, which “shall not be hunted or fished.” RCW 77.08.010(52); 77.12.020(5). Wolves would also remain on the list of Priority Habitats and Species (PHS).
Reasons supporting proposal:
WDFW bases its proposal to reclassify the gray wolf as Sensitive on scientific information contained in the Periodic Status Review for the Gray Wolf (available at https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/02427). This report summarizes evidence that the wolf population no longer meets the definition of Endangered in the state and should be reclassified as a Sensitive species. Based on 14 consecutive years of population growth, population modeling predictions that indicate Washington’s wolf population is robust and will continue to grow and expand its range (including in the Southern Cascades and Northwest Coast recovery region), and ongoing state and federal protections, WDFW proposes to reclassify the wolf to indicate that the wolf does not meet the definition of State Endangered, which requires that the species is “seriously threatened with extinction” (WAC 220-610-110). WDFW proposes to reclassify the wolf to State Sensitive, “vulnerable or declining and is likely to become endangered or threatened in a significant portion of its range within the state without cooperative management or removal of threats” (WAC 220-610-110). This proposed reclassification reflects the significant progress toward recovery that Washington’s wolf population has made since the original state listing in 1980 but recognizes that wolves remain vulnerable in western Washington and should continue to be managed for recovery within the state as a protected species. |