State moves to manage wolves
by Anna Means
In 1994 the State of Idaho didn’t
want anything to do with wolf management. If the federal government
wanted Canis lupus reintroduced, then they, not the state could
deal with it.
That tune has changed.
Two weeks ago, the governor signed a bill giving the state
management authority over all wolf populations in Idaho that
are under the protection of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The signing was momentous enough that Craig Manson, U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Interior, was on hand for the ceremony. This
particular piece of legislation, called House Bill 294, is considered
a milestone in the history of the ESA and a far cry from the
official stance adopted when wolves were first reintroduced in
Idaho.
Governor Dirk Kempthorne is quoted in a press release, “This
would not have happened a few years ago.”
Manson is quoted as saying, “Today marks the beginning
of the end of the federal management of wolves in the state of
Idaho.”
While it seems all has changed, some things remain the same.
One element is money. The state has tapped into direct congressional
appropriations for wolf management, something that wasn’t
around a few years ago. Congress is now appropriating money for
the state to assume control of this ESA program.
Greg Schildwachter, policy advisor in the Governor’s
Office of Species Conservation (GOSC), said Idaho got its first
$250,000 appropriation this year. Top priority for the cash is
to study wolf impacts on big game populations.
Schildwachter said the next thing to happen in the overall
game plan is to amend federal rules so Idaho can start managing
wolves right away, rather than waiting for delisting.
He said the state wrote a plan long ago, before wolves were
reintroduced, but it didn’t meet expectations set by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The Nez Perce Tribe submitted
a different plan, which fell more in line with FWS expectations,
so the tribe got the monitoring contract.
Since then, Schildwachter said, state wolf populations have
increased and FWS feels there can be more flexibility. Plus,
Idaho adopted its 17th draft of a wolf management plan last year,
so there are parameters in place.
House Bill 294 states there will be no fiscal impact because
program money will come from federal pass-through funding or
non-game funding sources.
Ed Bangs, wolf recovery coordinator for this FWS region, told
the Messenger, “We’re ecstatic.”
Bangs said he views it as a very positive step, because IDFG
has the structure in place to help the citizens, plus staff have
expertise in all aspects of wildlife.
He said Idaho and FWS are working to change a federal rule
so the state can manage before delisting, and they are working
together to make de-listing a reality.
Bangs said Montana is doing an environmental impact statement
for its intended management plan, while Wyoming is not as far
ahead in the game.
Aaron Miles, Natural Resources Department manager for the
Nez Perce Tribe, told the Messenger it’s his understanding
the tribe will continue monitoring work. They have a contract
with FWS and anticipate entering into an agreement with Idaho
when the time is right.
Miles said IDFG and the Nez Perce have different levels of
expertise that can be shared.
Expectations
House Bill 294 makes it clear Idaho isn’t thrilled with
reintroduction, but the legislature wants to mitigate impacts
to its citizens and feels the state can do this best.
The GOSC is the lead agency during the transition period from
federal to state control with IDFG playing a big role in management
and monitoring, including having a hand in depredation claims.
The GOSC will submit reports to the Senate Resources and Environment Committee and will specifically include documentation of wolf
effects upon wildlife and depredation on domestic livestock.
Idaho staff are supposed to coordinate wolf management plans
with Montana and Wyoming.
Earlier this year, the state developed the Idaho Wolf Depredation Compensation Program which comes from $100,000 of federal money
that was personally requested by Senator Larry Craig and the
Idaho Cattle Association.
Defenders of Wildlife will continue to pay ranchers for confirmed
and probable kills, but the state fund will pay for unconfirmed
wolf losses that incurred between January 1, 2000 and the present.
Those submitting claims are expected to document losses on rangelands
and private property before wolf re-introduction and after.
Applications were accepted until April 20.