Wolf meeting

[asl20bball]

To "just watch what happens" tells alot about the incompetence of the WDFW. WOW!!!

 
I wouldn't say that comment is a reason they are incompetent. I don't think Phil Anderson was saying that's what he wants to do- he probably wants to adopt the plan they have spent months to come up with.
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I was must trying to make the point that doing nothing should not be an option. The fact that they would say that at all is concerning.

[winshooter88]

According to Anderson at the meetings I was at, he said he wants to adopt the preferred alternative now and then maybe later change it to manage by the total number of wolves.

[sebek556]

sounds like some of our letters are getting through keep em' coming guys!

[JimmyHoffa]

Was it Anderson that said that, he may be relying on data others have provided him. I think much of the problem is the people working in the endangered species department. Just thinking he may not know any different....

   I remember at one meeting, the chair directly asked the endangered species division a question like this-- 'what was it about wolves and grizzlies that required them to be removed, but black bears and cougars could stay?'  The endangered species group said they didn't know why--no idea.

[bearpaw]

I am anxious to hear what the guys who were at the meeting will post!

[Gringo31]

Big thanks to the guys that took the day to be there in person!

[KillBilly]

Well Rob and Jackelope have kept you up to date but there is no way that he could have conveyed my frustration with today's proceedings. Dancing with Stars is no comparison to the fancy footwork Anderson and Company exhibited trying to explain the gigantic holes in the science, logic and data. Mulehunter and I used a bunch of notebook paper passing Bull*censored* back and forth to each other every time they stepped on their whangs.

The commission definitely put them on the spot numerous times. The subject of a management plan for after delisting came up several times. The Chair specifically stated that there was a great amount of interest and worry concerning the lack of such a plan. Phil's boys merely stated that they could not go there yet due to lack of data. That's funny because everything they have done so far appears to lack good sound data. Commissioner Douvia definitely called them out several times as did Commissioners Wecker, Perry and Schmitten. I wont' mention names but it appears that several of them are leaning towards rejection of the plan. David Jennings whose name I won't mention showed his color (grey lobo) today as a pro-wolfer. (just my opinion).   

Phil addressed the Commission with a laundry list of potential revisions as well a couple of cornerstone items he said couldn't be changed. 15 BPs was one of them. I am sure that if the Commission rejects the plan, they might find a way to chisel that cornerstone down to size.

There were 70 people on the list to testify today. They will be there until 6:00 or later before they all get done. On the subject of testimony, I have a confession to make. Today's meeting was by far the worst I have attended yet. I was actually supposed to be the first to testify. I was so upset by all the crap that had transpired that I declined my turn and left. The message I was going to deliver was a reiteration of two previous messages and intended to convince we were standing staunch in our position. So they didn't really miss anything. On the bright side, the Commission will still get my stack of 8.5 x 11 colored glossies to read anyway.

Mulehunter and I did get a chance to question a Commissioner about a couple of instances that occurred. Questioned about reaction times and solution, they could only agree it was tough to react in a timely manner and he agreed that it made it hard for citizens to trust the department.

Funniest part of the day... early this morning 7:30 an older lady wearing a fur jacket and could hardly walk signed in to testify. When she finished signing in and turned to walk away, she had a big Wolf on the back of the fur jacket. The gal at the desk turned to me as I turned to her and both of us said simultaneously... doesn't that look like Wolf fur... it really did. But she turned out to be pro-wolf... it was weird.

[silverdalesauer]

More--

Idaho estimates 108 breeding pairs there now

What!?!?!?   We are in big trouble!

[silverdalesauer]

Thanks to all of you for going to the meeting.

It doesn't sound very promising for WA State, but sounds like hunters are gearing up for quite a battle with the gov't over this.

[KillBilly]

The Alternatives Phil spoke of:

3.2.1. Brief Summary of Alternatives

Alternative 1: This alternative has a lower standard for protection and restoration of wolves in the state and a more aggressive lethal control strategy (Table 1). It implements lethal control options at
FINAL EIS/WOLF CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN July 28, 2011
Chapter 3 - Alternatives 20 Washington Dept of Fish & Wildlife
earlier phases of recovery than the other alternatives. It sets a lower standard for geographic distribution of recovery objectives, such that state downlisting and delisting of the species could occur with the majority of animals present in one or two recovery regions. It allows earlier implementation of management tools for addressing livestock conflicts, and it also offers a less generous compensation package for documented incidents of depredation.

Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative; Wolf Conservation and Management Plan): This alternative meets the goals and objectives for establishing a long-term viable wolf population while addressing wolf-livestock conflicts and interactions between wolves and ungulates. It sets a moderate geographic distribution of recovery objectives for downlisting and delisting, with an emphasis on adequate numbers being present in the Southern Cascades/Northwest Coast recovery region, but does not require the establishment of wolves in a fourth Pacific Coast recovery region to achieve delisting. This alternative includes a range of proactive, non-lethal and lethal control options for addressing livestock conflicts, and generous compensation for confirmed and probable depredations on livestock.
This alternative was modified following public review of the Draft EIS, based on comments received from the public, peer review (Appendices E, F), and WDFW review. These modifications are reflected in the revised Preferred Alternative 2 and Final Recommended Wolf Conservation and Management Plan for Washington.

Alternative 3: This alternative places the greatest emphasis on protection and restoration of wolves in Washington. It has a higher standard for the geographic distribution of recovery objectives for downlisting and delisting wolves, including a requirement that they be present in a fourth recovery region, the Pacific Coast Recovery Region (Figure 2), before the species could be downlisted and delisted. This alternative is the most conservative on when management tools for addressing livestock conflicts could be implemented, and also includes the most generous compensation package for documented cases of confirmed and probable depredation.

Alternative 4 – No Action (Current Management): Under this alternative, no wolf conservation and management plan would be prepared for Washington. Protection and restoration of wolves would use existing programs. As a result, there would be no state recovery plan for the species and wolves would continue to be listed as endangered until a recovery plan was completed, with recovery objectives, and the species achieves the recovery objectives. Limited management options would be available for addressing conflicts. It is unknown whether compensation would be available for livestock losses, which would depend on whether any state or private fund sources existed for that purpose.

[KillBilly]

Thanks to all of you for going to the meeting.

It doesn't sound very promising for WA State, but sounds like hunters are gearing up for quite a battle with the gov't over this.

Even though the meeting today sucked, I am OPTOMISTIC that the commission will reject or at least postpone the current plan.

[actionshooter]

I just got home and one of the biggest issues that bothered me:
Anderson stated that 15 breeding pairs will be required and that is not on the table for discussion.
 I was optimistic about the commision, they seem to be more conservative than I expected.

[actionshooter]

I was discouraged that the WDFW plan is DEFINATELY slanted, pro-wolf.
 
 Where do they think thier paychecks come from!! 

[Special T]

Is there audio recoding anywhere from this meeting? If there isn't one available from the state we need to start recording these hooligans, and so we can show support for the comishoners that see the light.  Thanks for going guys!

[KillBilly]

Is there audio recoding anywhere from this meeting? If there isn't one available from the state we need to start recording these hooligans, and so we can show support for the comishoners that see the light.  Thanks for going guys!

There may be one.. they had audio issues early in the meeting. It was stated they had to get it fixed so it would record accurately. I don't know if it will be available but it was recorded.