WA HB1442

Allows counties to manage gray wolves as non-endangered when the state has maintained 15 breeding pairs for at least three years AND the county has at least three documented breeding pairs in areas not covered by federal Endangered Species Act protections

Requires counties meeting these criteria to notify the Fish and Wildlife Commission and enter into interlocal agreements with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and local tribes for collaborative wolf comanagement

Establishes a work group to develop regional wolf management plans within six months, including representatives from cattlepersons organizations, county governments, conservation nonprofits, and range riding organizations

Regional plans must address livestock loss minimization, improved compensation programs, faster lethal control response times when needed, ungulate habitat improvement, and maintenance of stable wolf populations

Washington's gray wolf population reached a minimum of 260 wolves in 42 packs by end of 2023, with 20% population growth that year and 15 consecutive years of population increases