By STEVE BROWN
Capital Press
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife now has money in the bank to deal with wolves.
The legislature appropriated $250,000 in 2014 to provide compensation for livestock injured or killed by the predators.
Jack Field, executive vice president of the Washington Cattlemen’s Association, called the amount “a great first step” for the agency and for the livestock industry.
He said it is difficult to say how $250,000 stacks up against what actual losses have been or may be in the future. When the state lethally removed the Wedge pack in northern Stevens County last year, “There was never a claim turned in on those. I think it’s fair to say the expenditure of that single operation for removal and compensation could have been a six-figure claim.”
The direction WDFW is going on preventative measures, he said, will hopefully reduce the impacts of wolves. The budget also provides $750,000 for nonlethal deterrence methods.
“We were also able to create a stand-alone account where unexpended money could flow over,” Field said. “If losses exceed what the account can pay, the remaining claims would move into the following year.”
Another important change this year is the removal of a $1,500 cap on the value of an animal. Instead, compensation will be based on the market value of the animal. A steer could be worth $600 and a prize bull would be far more, but the owner would need proof of its value.
In establishing the value of the animal, the change gives the producer a “depredation coupon,” he said. If a calf is killed today, the owner can submit a claim based on the value of the other animals once they are marketed.
“It gets us where we need to be in getting boots on the ground,” he said. “It’s a transparent compensation system.”
Ranchers are working through the issues of paperwork and bureaucracy, and the agency has been open and receptive to comments about streamlining the process.
Field also welcomed the $881,000 budgeted to implement a new animal disease traceability program with the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Former state veterinarian Leonard Eldridge worked on the program “from day one” of his time with the agency.
“This will develop a robust and effective traceability program, light-years ahead of neighboring states,” he said. “It will be a heck of a showpiece. It’s one we hope we never have to rely on, but if we do, we’ll be very glad we have it.”