By Kelly House
Wolves in Oregon have established themselves in new range, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reports.
The agency on Wednesday issued a notice that two wolves’ tracks have been spotted in the Desolation Unit, an area mostly comprised of the Umatilla National Forest in Grant and Umatilla counties. The tracks follow two wolf spottings in the area this year, and irregular reports of wolf activity there. The agency will conduct additional surveys to determine the sex, breeding status, and other details about the two wolves. Fish and wildlife officials recommend livestock producers take precautions to protect their livestock in all Areas of Known Wolf Activity.
United States Interior Secretary Sally Jewell says the provision in the federal spending rider that blocks fish and wildlife officials from considering sage grouse for Endangered Species Act protections represents “political posturing” on behalf of some members of congress. “It’s disappointing that some Members of Congress are more interested in political posturing than finding solutions to conserve the sagebrush landscape and the Western way of life,” Jewell said. “Rather than helping the communities they profess to benefit, these members will only create uncertainty, encourage conflict and undermine the unprecedented progress that is happening throughout the West.”
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has proposed a cap-and-trade program that would require industrial companies to pay for the right to pollute. Inslee said the program would help the state meet a self-imposed 2008 mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and would also raise more than $1 billion in its first year. The Associated Press reports the proposal is similar to California’s existing cap and trade program.