Urgent Resolution 1035 – Support Formation of a Beaver Ecosystem Management Plan
WHEREAS the Washington State Legislature is currently in session until March 7, 2024 and is considering SB5846 (2024), and this resolution is relevant to the ideas contained therein; and
WHEREAS beavers play a significant role in maintaining the health of ecosystems in Washington as a keystone species that provide habitats and resources that other species, including but not limited to: salmon, steelhead, trout, waterfowl, shorebirds, deer, elk, songbirds, bats, cougars, bears, and amphibians need to survive; and
WHEREAS the many other benefits of beaver presence in habitats are described in SB5846; and
WHEREAS the importance of beavers to ecosystems is so significant that they merit funding for study, monitoring, and educational programs;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington State Democratic Central Committee (WSDCC) supports legislation, including SB5846 (2024), which instructs the Department of Fish and Wildlife to create and implement a statewide beaver ecosystem management plan, which must define the role that beavers play in maintaining the health of ecosystems and biodiversity in Washington including, but not limited to, providing benefits in watersheds including natural ground and surface water storage, stream temperature moderation, improved water quality, reduced stream velocities, reduced stream sediment transport, moderation of extreme flood events, habitat and biodiversity provision, reduced nutrient transport, increased pollutant and greenhouse gas sequestration, and the improvement or creation of habitat for other species; and
THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that WSDCC shall forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor of the State of Washington, all Washington State House and Senate Democrats, and all members of the 2024 Washington State Democratic Convention Platform Committee.
References
SB5846, sponsored by Salomon, Lias, Lovelett, Saldaña, Van De Wege (all D).
Skidmore, P. and Wheaton, J. (2022) Riverscapes as natural infrastructure: Meeting challenges of climate adaptation and ecosystem restoration. Anthropocene. 38 (June 2022) 100334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ancene.2022.100334
Aneta Spyra, Anna Cieplok, Mariola Krodkiewska (June 12, 2023) Beavers ecosystem altering: Influence of beaver dams on aquatic invertebrates in newly created beaver ponds and small mountain river. Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology 17 June 2023
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1642359323000654
Wohl, E. (2021) Legacy effects of loss of beavers in the continental United States. Environ. Res. Lett. 16 025010. 10.1088/1748-9326/abd34e
Adopted as an urgent resolution by the Environment and Climate Caucus of the Washington State Democratic Party at the WSDCC January 28, 2024 meeting in Bellingham