Written by Katy Nesbitt, The Observer
Ranchers won’t be reimbursed for wolf-caused livestock losses until state releases frozen funds
As soon as state funds are released, Wallowa County livestock owners with confirmed losses to wolves will be compensated.
In a two to one vote, the county commissioners approved the county’s seven member board of directors at their Monday meeting.
Cynthia Warnock of the Wallowa County Soil and Water Conservation District said the county’s plan, first drafted by Dennis Sheehy in June 2010, has now conformed to the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s format.
“The county compensation steering committee took what Dennis came up with and merged it with the state’s bylaws,” said Warnock. “The board will set the market value rate for losses and look for grant funding to support the program.”
The committee consists of one county commissioner, two ranchers, two people in business and two conservationists willing to coexist with wolves. The only change from the county’s original board, she said, was the elimination of two rancher positions.
“Wallowa County is always proactive. We got hammered because we started early, but that’s what we always do,” Warnock said.
Board of Commissioners Chairman Mike Hayward said, “The compensation committee has been politicized and it shouldn’t have. There was a concern that our smaller producers might go under with only a few losses.”
To date, Wallowa is the only county in the state with uncompensated confirmed livestock losses to wolves. In spring 2009, Curt Jacobs and Tick Moore of Baker County lost livestock to what became known as the Keating wolves. Both wolves were killed later that summer and the ranchers were reimbursed by Defenders of Wildlife for their losses.
When Sheehy introduced the first draft of his community compensation plan, local businesses and individuals were going to be asked to help fund it.
“At that time we didn’t know the state was going to do anything,” said Hayward.
The state set aside $100,000 to compensate livestock losses to wolves confirmed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Thirty percent is earmarked for non-lethal deterrents such as radio-activated guard boxes, electrified flagged fencing and paying a range rider.
Hayward said that money is to also cover administrative costs incurred by the counties. The most any participating county budgeted was $500.
“The state veterinarian who is overseeing the program was quite surprised at the low amount. We do things on the cheap,” Hayward said.
In June 2010, rancher Dennis Sheehy drafted a community funded compensation plan to take the place of reimbursement provided by Defenders of Wildlife that was sunsetting September 2011.
The plan was edited and amended before being presented as a bill to the 2011 legislature. The plan was passed in both the house and the senate and signed into law by Gov. John Kitzhaber in August.
Last month the governor froze all funding to new programs. Once those funds are released, the Wallowa County compensation board will provide the state with paperwork necessary for ranchers to be compensated for their confirmed losses.
Board of Commissioners Chairman Mike Hayward said state Rep. Greg Smith said he will continue to push to have that money released.
The submittal due date for all claims is Feb. 15, Warnock said.
“I realize this is a fast turnaround, but we already have the process in place,” she said.
Susan Roberts, who serves on the compensation board, said the committee has nothing to do with politics. It’s simply to set market values and seek additional funding, she said.
“The committee has nothing to do with whether you like or dislike wolves,” Roberts said. “It’s setting a fair market value.”
Since the Defenders of Wildlife stopped reimbursing for livestock losses the state has confirmed five cattle deaths to wolves. Two were determined “probable” losses, entitling the owners to half the market value.
Warnock said, “Nothing will ever replace the value of those losses.”