With the heated discussions lately on issues involving I-713 and I-655 thought this editorial was in order.
The hatcheries opposed the trapping ban so I guess it is fishing releated

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Repeal of animal-trap ban is necessary
By the Editorial Board of the Union-Bulletin
Friday, May 02, 2003


The state Legislature did the right thing for the right reasons in overturning Initiative 713.

It's difficult for elected officials to overturn a voter-approved initiative, essentially telling the people - their bosses - they were wrong.

And it's also difficult - as in gut wrenching - to trap a wild animal, which can be a gruesome experience.

Yet, sometimes difficult things have to be done.

The state Legislature did the right thing for the right reasons in overturning Initiative 713, which banned animal traps. The measure, approved in 2000, took away reasonable options for state officials and private citizens to control dangerous wildlife.

Lawmakers had been dithering with repealing the law for the past few years, but weren't able to muster the political courage to reverse it.

But problems with wild animals threatening livestock and people have become more common.

In the House, which is controlled by Democrats, nine members of the majority party - including Rep. Bill Grant of Walla Walla - sided with Republicans to overturn the initiative. The Republican-controlled Senate also approved the repeal.

We hope Gov. Gary Locke signs the repeal into law.

The initiative was sold to the voters on pure emotion. After all, nobody wants to see cute, cuddly animals hurt with steel-jawed traps.

But what wasn't mentioned to voters by advocates of I-713 was that many of the animals protected from trapping are too mean to be cuddled and pose a danger to livestock and humans. Traps are a necessary tool to deal with predatory animals.

In addition, the initiative prohibited home owners from taking action to rid their yards of moles and other pests. Ironically, backers of I-713 assured voters that mole trapping wasn't going to be banned. The Attorney General's Office, however, concluded moles were protected whether in lawns, parks or golf courses.

The Washington state Constitution gives lawmakers the power to change or repeal initiatives. It's rarely done. Legislators - wanting to keep their jobs - don't like to go against the perceived will of the people unless it is absolutely necessary.

In this case, it was. Legislators made the right decision to eliminate Initiative 713.

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