Plan to deal with wolves up for review
Statesman Journal
December 23, 2003
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission moved a step closer to dealing
with the issue of wolves at the stateýs doorstep.
After recommending deletion of one element, commissioners recently
approved a draft framework to create a Wolf Management Plan.
Final approval is scheduled Jan. 9 in Salem during the commissionýs
regular monthly meeting.
The Wolf Advisory Committee met for the first time in November and
developed an outline for the draft plan.
Next, the committee will begin the work of recommending management
policies.
The second meeting of the committee is scheduled Jan. 12 and 13 in
LaGrande.
No wolves are confirmed to live in Oregon, but biologists expect a
permanent population to establish itself from the growing Idaho packs.
In talks about the draft, the commission decided to re-move a section on
ethical issues related to wolf management because no other Oregon species
management plan includes this information.
Commissioners said results of discussions of ethical issues likely would
be addressed in other areas of the plan.
Commission members also affirmed their support of a goal statement adopted
in April 2003 for the wolf management plan: ýThe goal of this management
plan is to ensure the longterm survival and conservation of gray wolves as
required by Oregon law, while minimizing conflicts with humans, primary
land uses and other Oregon wildlife.ý