Wisconsin needs more money to compensate for wolf damage
by Bob Meyer
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau says a recent federal judge ruling has really thrown a wrench in plans to control wolf damage in the state. The judge put the gray wolf back on the endangered species list in Wisconsin, even though the wolf has recovered in the state beyond that protection level. In spring of 2003 the Fish and Wildlife Service dropped the wolf from the endangered species list in the Eastern recovery zone and designated it as threatened, recognizing the strides Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan had made in bringing back the wolf. In fact, wildlife officials in the Wisconsin were developing management plans that included killing wolves that kill or harass livestock – those are now on ýhold.ý The Wisconsin Farm Bureau said the ruling had more to do with the size of the population districts used by the Fish and Wildlife Service, and not the recovery progress in Wisconsin. While the wolf has made recovery in Wisconsin, the recovery has not advanced similarly in states in the Northeast.
Wisconsin Farm Bureau director of Governmental Relations, Jeff Lyon, says, “With wolf population controls gone, the only remedy farmers have from wolf damage is adequate compensation.” Lyons says that creates a problem, “As the wolf population grows unchecked, farmers will face more losses to livestock, so the compensation rules need to reflect that.” The Farm Bureau is urging livestock producers to attend Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hearings around the state this month to voice their concerns. The DNR Board, at their January 26 meeting, authorized public hearings on revisions to NR12 to establish reimbursement to farmers for damage to livestock caused by gray wolves. Under the proposal the maximum reimbursement would be $15,000 per claimant per year, with a $250 deductible per claim. The Farm Bureau said these limits are inconsistent with the Wisconsin Wolf Management Plan which believes livestock producers should be fully compensated for losses due to wolves. The organization says farmers should ask the DNR to eliminate the deductible and lift the payment cap.
The hearings will be held:
*Tuesday, February 15, Cafeteria, Spooner High School, 500 College St., Spooner
*Tuesday, February 15, LGI Room, Black River Falls Middle School, 1202 Pierce St., Black River Falls
*Wednesday, February 16, Cafeteria, James Williams Junior High School, 915 Acacia Lane, Rhinelander
*Thursday, February 17, Room 114, Ag & Extension Service Center, 1150 Bellevue St., Green Bay
*Thursday, February 17, Union South, 227 North Randall Avenue, Madison