HB 3932
Prohibits a person from taking a beaver on waters or watersheds that are classified in a certain manner or on public land that is within the watersheds or within 200 feet of the ordinary high water mark of the waters.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
66%
Oppose
34%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill prohibits individuals from harming or removing beavers from specific waterways and public lands. It focuses on protecting beavers within watersheds classified by the Department of Environmental Quality and near waterways, with an exception for employees of federal and state land management agencies. The State Fish and Wildlife Commission is tasked with creating rules to implement these protections, including identifying affected waterways and establishing a process for updating the list.
Key provisions
- Prohibits the taking of beavers from designated waterways and watersheds.
- Prohibits the taking of beavers on public land within specified distances of waterways.
- Creates an exception for employees of federal and state land management agencies.
- Requires the State Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt rules defining affected waterways.
- Establishes a process for updating the list of affected waterways every two and ten years.
- Defines ‘nonlethal coexistence measure’ and prioritizes their use over beaver removal.
- Allows for beaver removal to address damage to infrastructure on public and private land.
- Excludes public lands closed to hunting and trapping from the restrictions.
Who is affected
- Individuals seeking to harm or remove beavers
- Federal and state land management agencies
- Property owners adjacent to public land
- The State Fish and Wildlife Commission
- Beavers themselves
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of HB 3932 generally advocate for allowing beavers to manage habitat along public waterways, leveraging their ecosystem engineering capabilities to improve water quality and restore habitats. Many the importance of protecting beaver populations and their habitats, citing benefits to environmental health, wildlife conservation, and human wellbeing. They also highlight the potential for beavers to enhance stream ecosystems by creating wetlands and improving water quality. Several supporters express enthusiasm for the proposed legislation, emphasizing its potential to restore impaired streams and promote ecological balance in Oregon's waterways. Overall, proponents of HB 3932 believe that beaver management can play a crucial role in maintaining healthy watersheds and supporting biodiversity.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of the proposed ban on beaver trapping in Oregon argue that it would have severe economic and cultural consequences, including devastating local economies and undermining Oregon's cultural heritage. They emphasize the importance of trappers in managing wildlife populations and believe that they can handle the task without government intervention. Many testifiers highlight the benefits of responsible beaver harvesting, such as maintaining a healthy population and preventing flooding, and argue that existing regulations are sufficient to protect beaver populations. Some also express concern that stricter regulations could lead to unintended consequences for farmers, trappers, and the environment, and propose a more balanced approach to managing beaver populations. Overall, opponents of the ban believe that it is unnecessary and an overreach by the legislature, as the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) game commission already handles wildlife issues, including beaver management.