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Last Updated:
Apr 21st, 2005 - 21:10:55
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Letters to the Editor
Dear West By Northwest.org Readers:
I am writing to you today because Defenders of Wildlife needs your help on an important wolf issue in Oregon. Right now, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is considering a Wolf Conservation and Management Plan developed by a fourteen-member citizen’s Wolf Advisory Committee.
This diverse committee -- made up of representatives from Defenders, hunters, ranchers, biologists, and others -- reached a remarkable agreement that provides long-term security for the wolf in Oregon. The Plan also addressed the concerns of ranchers and hunters. Nobody got everything they wanted in this Plan, but it represents a hard-won, balanced compromise that will responsibly ensure wolf recovery in Oregon.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Unfortunately, some extreme livestock and hunting interests are now attempting an end-run around the citizen Committee planning process in order to over-turn the Plan and weaken wolf protections. Defenders needs your help in writing personalized letters to the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission.
UPDATE: The deadline for submitting letters to the Commission has been extended to FEBRUARY 4, 2005, so there is more time to speak up for Oregon wolves. If you’ve already sent a letter, thanks so much. I would encourage you to ask your friends and colleagues to send a personal letter to the Commission as well.
For more information on how to write a letter to the Commission, please scroll down to the details below. Thanks for all of your help in protecting the magnificent wolf in Oregon!
Sincerely,
Amaroq Weiss
Western Director for Species Conservation
Defenders of Wildlife
If you have any questions, please e-mail me at:
aweiss@defenders.org .
BACKGROUND:
The Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Plan would…
* Guarantee protection to wolves that naturally migrate to Oregon.
* Ensure wolf populations eventually exist on both the State’s east and west sides.
* Provide management tools to address conflicts with livestock and elk / deer populations instead of arbitrarily capping the total number of wolves allowed in Oregon.
* Look to non-lethal control methods as the first response to conflict, while allowing wolves to be killed if caught in the act of killing livestock.
* Prohibit open or general season wolf hunts and instead, once populations have stabilized, use highly restricted hunting and trapping as a limited management tool in response to specific instances of conflict with livestock or elk / deer populations.
* Allow for translocation of wolves within the state to assure conservation goals are met on the east and west side, a tool already used by the agency for other wildlife species.
* Create a joint compensation / proactive fund to pay for wolf-caused livestock losses and assist producers with proactive nonlethal methods of preventing conflicts.
DETAILS ON LETTER WRITING:
Tell the Commission to approve the Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Plan AS IS. Let the Commission know wolves belong in Oregon and the draft Plan is a positive and balanced step towards responsible management. Remind them that the citizen Committee went far enough in addressing livestock and hunting concerns. If anything, the Commission should strengthen the Plan’s protections for wolves.
Where to send your letter:
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Information and Education Division
3406 Cherry Avenue, NE, Salem, OR 97303
via email at: ODFW.Comments@state.or.us
or via fax at: (503) 947-6009
Please cc: Amaroq Weiss at: aweiss@defenders.org if you have sent a letter.
SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS FOR YOUR LETTER:
* Don’t upset the delicate balance struck by the diverse citizen-planning effort.
* Prior to using the Plan’s compensation and lethal control provisions, livestock operators should first demonstrate responsible livestock management practices to prevent wolf-livestock conflict.
* Ensure the number of breeding pairs stays at 4 or higher prior to delisting. Concerned wolf biologists advising the Committee say this is a bare minimum.
* If you own livestock or if you hunt, please mention this in your letter.
© Copyright 2000-2004 by West By Northwest.org
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