OLYMPIA – State representative Joel Kretz of Wauconda is sponsoring a House Bill that could take gray wolves off of the state’s endangered species list.

House Bill 1872 would remove gray wolves from the list in four counties, including Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille.

A recent survey by the state of Washington found that the vast majority of wolf packs are living in the northeast corner of the state. Kretz cited a number of wolf issues in his district, with two packs killing or injuring dozens of livestock, forcing the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to kill several wolves.

Before they can be taken off the state’s endangered list, the management plan says each recovery zone must have at least four successful breeding pairs for three consecutive years.