Dent Looking To Increase Ag Damage Funds

While it’s only been on the books for less than a year, Representative Tom Dent is already looking to expand on legislation he championed during the 2017 session.  It not uncommon for growers or ranchers to see minor damage from wildlife eating their crops, but for portions of Central Washington, that damage can be quite extensive.

Farmers can get repaid for some damage done to their crops by wildlife, but as Representative Dent points out, the damage done to fences, outbuildings, irrigation equipment and more is not covered by crop insurance.  That’s why he introduced legislation last year, allowing the Department of Fish and Wildlife to pay farmers for such damage.  This session’s legislation, House Bill 1399 would increased the amount of money WDFW could pay out for damage done by deer or elk, and would also expand the scope of eligible crops.

“So if a rancher was to plant a new crop, of alfalfa or grass or something, and it happened over in Kittitas County last year, and the animals basically came in and basically took the crop out, before there was ever a crop, so they weren’t eligible for any crop damage at all.”

The Moses Lake Republican said the additional dollars would come from the Wildlife Fund, and notes the money in that fund is not completely used every year, so the expense could be handled.

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