Endangered Species

Summary:
      • The Oregon Senate gave unanimous approval for a bill today that will put into place a comprehensive livestock compensation and wolf coexistence program. Gov. Kitzhaber is expected to sign the legislation, which passed the House earlier this week 60-0.

      • Ranchers who proactively use nonlethal deterrents and best management practices to protect their livestock will be eligible to receive compensation payments for subsequent losses to wolves.

      • Passage of this bill signals Oregon’s ongoing commitment to responsible wolf management.

      • Defenders thanks the Governor’s office, the Oregon Cattleman’s Association, legislators, Hells Canyon Preservation Council and others who worked toward this collaborative solution that will reduce conflict and allow wolves and livestock to better coexist on the landscape.

SALEM, Ore. (June 24, 2011) - The Oregon Senate unanimously approved a bill today that will establish an innovative livestock compensation and wolf coexistence program in Oregon to help ranchers protect livestock, aid wildlife managers in conserving wolves, and reimburse ranchersfor livestock losses to wolves. The program is the result of a collaborative effort, including valuable contributions from the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, Wallowa County ranchers, the Oregon Farm Bureau, the Governor’s office, Hells Canyon Preservation Council and Defenders of Wildlife.

The following is a statement from Suzanne Stone, Northern Rockies representative for Defenders of Wildlife, who led the effort for wolf advocates involved in these negotiations:

“Governor Kitzhaber’s leadership was instrumental in bringing together traditional opponents to develop an innovative livestock compensation and wolf coexistence program.  By empowering local communities to address wolf management issues in a responsible and transparent manner, this program may well become one of the best in the country. Wolf conflicts are not impossible to address...