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A new bill making its way through Washington鈥檚 legislature aims to take back control over the state’s most infamous apex predator: the grizzly bear.

would repeal a 30-year-old law that bars Washington from actively participating in grizzly bear recovery efforts, which are currently under federal control.

Supporters argue that the state should have a say in managing its own wildlife, while opponents fear the impact on farmers, ranchers and public safety.

A 30-year-old law in the way?

The bill鈥檚 sponsor, Rep. Larry Springer (D-Kirkland), said the current state law, passed in 1995, ties Washington鈥檚 hands when it comes to grizzly conservation.

鈥淭he commitment to grizzly bear recovery has been an on-again, off-again commitment by the federal government depending on which party is in charge,鈥� Springer said during a public hearing. 鈥淭hat is not a recipe for a cogent, well-thought-out way to deal with the question of grizzly bear recovery.鈥�

Springer insists the bill wouldn鈥檛 automatically bring grizzlies back to the North Cascades, but it would allow Washington鈥檚 Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to engage in discussions and planning.

鈥淚 simply do not want to see a 30-year-old law on the books that prevents the state of Washington from even discussing or entering into conversations with our neighbors to the north,鈥� he added.

Dr. Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, the wolf and grizzly bear policy lead for WDFW, also backed the bill, clarifying that the agency has no current plans to reintroduce grizzlies but wants the flexibility to manage the species.

鈥淚f any such plans were to be considered, a robust public process and coordination with tribes, federal agencies, and local government entities will be required,鈥� he said.

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Farmers and ranchers say 鈥榥ot so fast鈥�

For those in Washington鈥檚 agricultural communities, the bill raises red flags. Caleb Gwerder, testifying on behalf of the Washington Farm Bureau, voiced concerns that giving the state a role in grizzly management could pave the way for reintroduction 鈥� whether they like it or not.

鈥淪ince the 鈥�80s, we鈥檝e heard concerns with predators such as wolves,鈥� Gwerder said. 鈥淚ntroducing another apex predator such as grizzly bears is concerning for livestock production.鈥�
He also pointed out that farmers and orchard workers could face serious safety risks.

鈥淭here would be no mechanism at this time to allow employers to prevent possible interactions with grizzlies,鈥� he warned.

Teagan Levine, a resident of Okanogan County, worried that changing the existing law could create unnecessary confusion.

鈥淭he current wording of the law has been meticulously crafted to address the complexities of wildlife protection,鈥� Levine testified. 鈥淐hanging the language may introduce ambiguity, complicate enforcement, and potentially jeopardize the delicate balance between human activities and wildlife conservation.鈥�

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Tribes and biologists see a different future

For conservationists and tribal representatives, the bill represents an opportunity to right a historic wrong. Scott Schuyler, a policy representative for the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, argued that grizzly bears belong in Washington鈥檚 wild spaces.

鈥淭he Upper Skagit people have coexisted in the rugged North Cascades since time immemorial with grizzly bears,鈥� Schuyler said. 鈥淏ut today, we are collectively responsible for the loss of grizzly bears from the landscape and collectively must all play a role in their return.鈥�

Chris Servheen, a professional bear biologist who led grizzly bear recovery efforts for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 35 years, also pushed back on concerns that grizzlies would naturally return on their own.

鈥淔or the North Cascades, there is no occupied habitat within a distance where we can expect bears to move in on their own,鈥� he explained. 鈥淭he present grizzly numbers on the British Columbia side are likely only a few, if any at all.鈥�

To Servheen, Washington should be proud to play a role in conservation.

鈥淕rizzly bears live in approximately 5% of their former range in the lower 48 states,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he North Cascades is one of the few areas where grizzly bears could still exist. The state of Washington should be proud to have such a wild area within the state.鈥�

What鈥檚 next?

While the bill does not mandate grizzly reintroduction, it does open the door for Washington to take an active role in planning 鈥� something that hasn鈥檛 been possible for three decades.

A final committee vote on HB 1825 has not yet been scheduled. A do-pass recommendation is needed by the committee by February 21; otherwise, the bill is likely dead for this legislative session.

Matt Markovich often covers the state legislature and public politics for 成人X站 Newsradio. You can read more of Matt鈥檚 stories聽here. Follow him on聽, or聽email him here.听