Wyoming residents comment on wolf priorities
The Associated Press
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) – People who commented on a state wolf management plan
said its top priorities should be determining how many wolves should be
allowed, where they will live and who will pay for managing them.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department recently released a summary of the
information the agency collected during eight public meetings held in
July, as well as of remarks collected during a public scoping period.
Reg Rothwell, the department’s supervisor of biological services, said the
report shows a diversity of opinions and concerns about wolf management
and the potential effects on wolves in Wyoming.
“This presents us with a real challenge in developing a management plan
that is acceptable to the people of the state,” he said.
“We are committed to writing a plan that meets the requirements of
conserving wolves in the state, that sustains healthy big game
populations, is responsive to wolf/livestock conflicts and addresses the
other major wolf-related issues,” he said.
The public comments and summary report will be used to draft a state wolf
management plan that will be presented to the state Game and Fish
Commission when it meets in October.
Wolves, which were reintroduced to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in
1995 and 1996, are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Montana, Idaho and Wyoming must have management plans in place before a
delisting petition can be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
According to the summary report, 255 people attended the eight public
meetings around the state and the Game and Fish Department received 666
written comments on the issue.
In Lander, residents said they were most concerned about where wolves will
be allowed after they are delisted and who will bear the cost to ranchers
due if wolves spread uncontrollably.
In Rock Springs, sportsmen wondered why the wolf should be delisted and
said the federal government should pay for all damages and monitoring of
wolves.
Sheridan residents were also very concerned about who will pay for wolf
management.
Residents in Pinedale were adamant in saying they wanted no wolves at all
in Sublette County. They also stressed that Wyoming should develop a
management plan that is completely funded by the federal government while
also protecting wildlife and private property rights.
Jackson residents, in contrast, worried about how to ensure the continued
survival and future abundance of wolves and wondered if the killing of any
wolves should be allowed under the “guise” of management, the summary
said.
Cody residents wanted no license fee revenues from Wyoming hunters or any
Game and Fish Department funding to go toward wolf management. They also
strongly backed hunting to control wolf populations.