SALEM, Ore.-The Oregon House passed a bill that would ban beaver trapping on some waterways on state and federal lands on April 21.
HB 3932, which would allow beavers to perform their ecological function on impaired creeks and streams, passed by a narrow 35-18 margin.
“This legislation gives us an opportunity to try a low-tech, low-risk, and free strategy to address impaired waterways by encouraging beavers to return to Oregon landscapes,” said Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Southern Jackson County). “The science says this can work, and we’re willing to give it a try.”
According to a House press release on HB 3932, over 100,000 miles of waterways in Oregon are currently designated as “impaired.”
An impaired designation means a body of water fails to meet water quality standards for safe drinking, recreation and aquatic life.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality classifies waterways based on conventional factors, such as water temperature, pH and sediment levels, and the amount of dissolved oxygen and bacteria present.
Beaver dams and complexes, which slow water flow, can help address water quality issues by allowing pollutants to settle out of the water, rather than run downstream.
The instinctive behavior of beavers, including building dams and piling logs, also create habitat for other wildlife and work as natural fire breaks in the case of wildfires, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
“Central Oregon knows firsthand the challenges of water scarcity and wildfire risk,” said Rep. Emerson Levy (D-Central Oregon). “By protecting beavers where they do the most good, we’re investing in natural solutions that support clean water, healthy forests, and more resilient communities.”
Oregon’s nickname is the “Beaver State” and the animal has historically and culturally been associated with the state, serving as the mascot of Oregon State University and gracing the reverse side of the official state flag.
According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), there is no estimated beaver population in Oregon, however, 1,231 were reported taken by either hunting or trapping in 2016.
Recreational trapping on private lands would not be affected by HB 3932, according to the press release on the legislation.
HB 3932 will now be considered in the Oregon State Senate, with a first reading scheduled for April 22.
Will there still be trapping allowed to keep the population down. They can easily over populate if left to multiply in one area. Then trees are damaged that help shade the waters for our fish population