Independent Review Shows Wolf Population Goals Too Low in Washington State

[wolfbait]

NPCA: Independent Review Shows Wolf Population Goals Too Low in Washington State
by Kurt Repanshek

Wolf population targets laid out in a draft management plan by Washington Department of Fish and Game officials are too low to sustain a viable population, according to some independent scientists who reviewed the proposal.

Wolves were classified as an endangered species across the state of Washington by the federal government in 1973 and by the state government in 1980. In 2009 the predators were delisted under federal law for the eastern third of Washington, though they remain listed as endangered in the western two-thirds of the state. Well aware that wolves likely will begin to spread across their state, Washington officials are drawing up a management plan that will allow wolves to be delisted as an endangered species statewide...but prevent them from growing too robustly in number.

The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, under a draft environmental impact statement examining the management plan, is proposing a goal of 15 breeding pairs to justify removal of the species from protection under that state's Endangered Species Act. But officials with the National Parks Conservation Association have questioned those population targets, and their concerns are now being supported by an independent review.

“The majority of the scientific reviewers agree with NPCA that a higher number of breeding pairs is needed to produce a sustainable wolf population in Washington,” said David G. Graves, the NPCA's Northwest field representative.

According to NPCA officials, some scientists who conducted an independent peer review of the state's DEIS found that its population recommendations are not biologically defensible and will not ensure the ‘reestablishment of a self-sustaining population of gray wolves in Washington.’

As one reviewer puts it, the current population goal of 15 breeding pairs “does not flow from the result of scientific evaluation.” A second reviewer states, “…we might anticipate that the state should support somewhere between 320 and 668 wolves.” Finally, a third reviewer says, “Wolf populations currently living in Wisconsin and Michigan are at levels of 626+ and 580+ wolves (winter 2009) respectively, in states that have human population densities similar to Washington…”

The reviewers also said that an adjustment of the population goals and other minor changes (such as addressing how interaction with other wolf populations would be maintained or restored) can result in a scientifically defensible plan, the parks advocacy group said.

“The blind scientific peer review is vitally important and should be closely considered in crafting the final version of the wolf plan for the state of Washington,” said Mr. Graves.

The review panel's comments are attached below.

Research indicates that healthy wolf populations can benefit local communities. The University of Montana recently estimated that Yellowstone National Park wolves generate $35 million in economic benefits every year for local communities. This money comes from tourist spending directly related to wolves, including wolf tours and related services, such as lodging and meals.

Scientists also believe the return of the gray wolf to the Olympic peninsula would lead to cleaner water and healthier ungulate populations, NPCA said. In Olympic National Park, stream and river habitat has been damaged from elk overgrazing. This damage is limited in other parks, such as Yellowstone, where wolves are present to control and manage the elk population, the group said.

In January, members of the Washington State Legislature and local Washington community leaders sent a letter to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) urging it to restore a healthy and vibrant wolf population to Washington State. The letter included five members of the state Senate, 15 members of the state House of Representatives and 13 community leaders, including Paula L. Houston, Executive Director of the Mathews East Madison YMCA, Bob Kelly, Policy Director for the Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Peter Jackson of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation.

http://www.timberwolfinformation.org/info/archieve/newspapers/viewnews.cfm?ID=651

[saylean]

Its gonna lead to cleaner water on the penninsula if we have wolves?! Are they gonna take out my recycling too? 

[Elkaholic daWg]

I have an idea that might make them happy. How about they plant 2 breeding pairs in discovery park, 2 in lincoln park, 2 in point defiance, and maybe 1 in Everett's forest park

[Redmist]

King Steven's PLWMU 201 in Grant County could support a pack and not really interfere with the rest of us pawns since the majority can't hunt on his private estate.  Should we suggest a transplant to his property and the Stratford Game Reserve?  It would be a scientific objective and subjective measurement of wolf predation on a very controlled herd not exposed to extremes of humans and weather.  I believe this to be a rational test to be implemented, prior to the mass introduction to forested landscape.  The Desert Unit could be another controlled test tube baby.  The firing center might work also. 

[Little Dave]

Wisconsin and Minnesota are not like Washington in a few important ways.  Perhaps the most important difference is that the forested lands where the wolves are in those states is separated from the urban areas of Minneapolis, Madison, and Milwaukie by about 100 miles of rural populated countryside.

[bearpaw]

“The majority of the scientific reviewers agree with NPCA that a higher number of breeding pairs is needed to produce a sustainable wolf population in Washington,” said David G. Graves, the NPCA's Northwest field representative.

The Whole Washington Wolf Plan Is Flawed (they need to start over)   

Everyone is bickering about how many breeding pairs of wolves are needed for a "sustainable wolf population in Washington". The whole idea and wording of this concept is erronious. 

Washington does not have an independent wolf population, the wolves in Washington are part of greater wolf populations living and ranging between Idaho, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alberta. 

WDFW themselves have confirmed that Washington wolves originated from BC and MT. 

Knock-Knock Anybody Home?
The premise that Washington Wolves must be managed for a self sustaining population is erronious by the WDFW's own findings. 

Therefore with a population of roughly 2000 confirmed wolves in the "Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf Population" biological needs have already been satisfied for a self sustaining wolf population. There is no biological reason for wolf numbers to exceed what is acceptable to federal requirements which have already been meet in 1/3 of Washington where they have been delisted!.

These facts are verified by F&G studies. (see video showing wolf movements) 

Idaho Sets 2009 Wolf Season.

[mulehunter]

Knock-Knock Anybody Home?
The premise that Washington Wolves must be managed for a self sustaining population is erronious by the WDFW's own findings.


Trust me I talked to several Ranchers up there. Soon this coming spring if ANY WOLF dragged a Cattle down will be SHOT in their PROPERTY and here EVIDENCE to Scott Fitkin will have to start to THINK HARDER to start Managed!   
Because of Larry's Cow were killed with new birth Calf last spring Biologlist Agent refuse CONFIRMED WOLF Kill. They dont have any Evidence on Larry And Michelle but! I promise you people in town they will START SHOOT to show evidence Wolf did it.
TRUST ME. I Heard those people ANGRY still! Every Rancher told EACHOTHER  SHOOT them M.f. if they bite Cow or any their livestock.

I have a BIG FEELING its going be SOME DEAD LIVESTOCK this spring if pups arrival this week or next will be total 11 or 14 dogs in one unit will be out of control in few years.

Mulehunter 

[bearpaw]

From what I hear, the Colville Tribe plans to manage wolves. They hunt from the Okanogan River to the Columbia River to the Canadian border. This area has been delisted. 

[wolfbait]

From what I hear, the Colville Tribe plans to manage wolves. They hunt from the Okanogan River to the Columbia River to the Canadian border. This area has been delisted.  

Delisted or not wolves are not safe on the res and the rest of Washington if the wind is blowing the right way! Mulehunter said it straight, many people don't have the same touchy feelly attitude as s.fitkin does where wolves are concerned, locals are more inliine with the long range watch em drop idea.

[mulehunter]

   Please Please Will Indian Tribe take care of it! Please..   I am sure Indian Tribe knew wolves will wipe out their favorite list of animals. Well then get busniess going!

Mulehunter