Advisory panel endorses plan for wolves, with 6 changes

Ranchers, sportsmen agree animals aren't welcome in Utah

By Lezlee E. Whiting
For the Deseret Morning News
Published: Sunday, May 22, 2005 11:03 p.m. MDT
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ROOSEVELT — Despite general agreement by a crowd of ranchers and sportsmen that wolves aren't welcome in Utah, members of the Northeastern Regional Advisory Council endorsed a wolf management plan Thursday night, with some changes.

Members agreed to endorse the official Draft Wolf Management Plan for the Division of Wildlife Resources Wildlife Board with six alterations, including several proposed by the Utah Farm Bureau Federation.

The approval came in a split vote, with five RAC members voting in favor of a motion by RAC sportsmen's representative Del Brady, Vernal. Two voted against and two members abstained from voting.

Several representatives from sportsmen's and wildlife groups who offered input at the final RAC hearing on wolf management voiced support for the proposed alterations to the 96-page Draft Wolf Management Plan made by the Farm Bureau and five other agriculture and livestock state agencies.

Many in attendance voiced concern that the draft plan as written, goes too far in protecting wolves.

"It protects threatening animals rather than the threatened animal," said J.C. Brewer.

The Farm Bureau, Utah Wool Growers, Utah Cattlemen, Utah Farmers Union, Utah commissioner of agriculture and food and Utah Agricultural Advisory Board want to ensure the draft management plan includes policy that "opposes wolves and supports removing wolves from the endangered species list and managing them under the supervision of the state where they exist."

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The agencies go farther than the draft plan on the issue of killing problem wolves. Livestock and agricultural interests propose that the draft plan be altered to allow "livestock owners, immediate family members and employees of livestock owners to lethally control wolves on both private and public lands when wolves are harassing, in the act of killing or experience confirmed loss of livestock."

The additions to the draft plan passed by the Northeastern RAC include:

• Recognizing the management objectives of the DWR, including management of big game, including elimination of wolves and their effect on big game. (The Ute Indian tribe has a similar stated goal already included in the draft management plan.)

• Ensuring the cost of wolf management does not fall on the sportsmen or their fund-raising sources.

• Opposing the natural colonization or reintroduction of wolves into Utah.

• When delisted (from the endangered list), wolves would be managed like black bears and cougars.

The southern and southeastern RACs have already agreed to recommend the Draft Wolf Management Plan to the Wildlife Board, with the Farm Bureau recommendations as their only changes, according to DWR director Jim Karpowitz. Two RACs in more urban areas of the state will hold their final public input meetings next week.

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