Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
(1) Release by
persons other than the director. It is unlawful for persons other than the
director to plant aquatic plants or release any species, subspecies, or hybrids
of animals which do not already exist in the wild in Washington. If such
species, subspecies, or hybrid does already exist in the wild in Washington, it
may be released within its established range by persons other than the
director, but only after obtaining a permit from the director.
(a) Application for a permit must be made on
a form provided by the department. It must be submitted at least thirty days
prior to acquisition of the wildlife or aquatic plants intended for release or
planting, and must provide all information indicated.
(b) Permits will only be issued if the
director determines there will be no adverse impact on the wildlife or wildlife
habitat of the state.
(c) Each
permit shall require that at least thirty days prior to planting or release of
wildlife or aquatic plants they must be made available for inspection by the
director. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to show that the
wildlife will not pose a disease threat. If the director is not satisfied that
the wildlife or aquatic plants do not pose a disease threat, they shall not be
released or planted in the state. Director approval for release or planting may
be withdrawn for cause.
(d) Each
permit shall require that an applicant intending to release wildlife in the
state shall report immediately to the director the outbreak of any disease
among the wildlife intended to be released. If the director determines that
such outbreak presents a threat to the wildlife of the state, the director may
immediately order such action as necessary including quarantine or destruction
of stock, sterilization of enclosures and facilities, cessation of activities,
and disposal of wildlife in a manner satisfactory to the director.
(e) Each permit shall require that wildlife
to be released shall not be branded, tattooed, tagged, fin clipped or otherwise
marked for identification without approval of the director or as required in
WAC
220-416-110.
(f) Legally acquired pheasant of the genus
Phasianus; gray partridge of the genus
Perdix; chukar of the genus Alec-toris; quail
of the genus Callipepla and Colinus; and
mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) may be released without a permit
for purposes of dog training, and hunting pursuant to WAC
220-416-110.
Game birds of these species released for these purposes must be acquired from a
department facility, a state- or federally licensed game farm facility that has
been inspected by a certified veterinarian within the past twelve months, or a
facility with current National Poultry Improvement Plan certification. Rock
doves and Eurasian collared doves may be released without a permit for purposes
of bird dog training.
(2) Release by the director. The director may
plant aquatic plants or release animal species, subspecies, or hybrids which
have been planted or released previously in Washington if they do not pose a
disease threat and if planting or release will not cause adverse impact on the
wildlife or wildlife habitat of the state. Before releasing any species,
subspecies, or hybrid of animal not already existing in the wild in Washington,
the director shall report to the commission on the planned release, stating the
basis for determining that the planned release fulfills the criteria set forth
herein. The director may release nonnative species, subspecies, or hybrids not
previously released in Washington only if the director in his or her sole
discretion has determined that:
(a) There is
no reasonable expectation of adverse impact on the wildlife or wildlife habitat
of the state and there is an adequate plan for evaluating such impact following
the release;
(b) The commission has
classified the species, subspecies, or hybrids to be released pursuant to
RCW
77.12.020;
(c) Suitable habitat is available;
(d) The nonnative species, subspecies, or
hybrids to be released are free of exotic pathogens;
(e) The release serves the public
interest.
(3) This
section does not apply to release of classified or unclassified fish or
shellfish by persons who have caught or taken the fish or shellfish, provided
the fish or shellfish are released into the water or on the tidelands at the
approximate location where taken, except that fishing contest participants may
release fish at a contest-designated location in the same body of water from
which the fish were taken.
