Deer and Elk Program Veto

Tuesday, March 26, Governor Inslee vetoed section 6 of the SB 5784 to create an elk collaring pilot program with a data share agreement that farmers could access to track elk before they cross private property lines and cause damage to crops. The vetoed section was replaced with a cooperative agreement between Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Yakama Tribe. Additionally, SB 5784, increases overall funding for farmers who suffer damage from deer and elk, while capping individual claims for damaged crops at $30,000.

“The Governor’s solution to section 6 of the bill is concerning as the cooperative agreement provides no assurances that farmers will receive data from the collaring pilot program,” said Caleb Gwerder, WFB’s Governmental Affairs Coordinator. “Without the data share agreement, farmers will continue to lose the battle against wildlife damages to crops.”