Under extreme pressure in states like Wyoming and Idaho where open season has again been declared on the reactionary west's favorite bête noir, the grey wolf, Oregon has been a sanctuary for the beleaguered animal. USDA's contract with the state to kill unwanted wolves was not a "significant federal action" requiring compliance with federal environmental protection laws ruled a federal judge recently. Wolves are unprotected in the state east of the Cascades and are "managed" by the state agency. The state took wolves off the state's protected species law in 2015. Wolves enjoyed a minor increase in population that has stalled (two more wolves than 2015 for an estimated population of 112), but unfortunately the increases came to the attention of stockmen who demanded action from the state to kill their worst nightmare. In 2009 the USDA's Wildlife Services killed two Oregon wolves at the behest of ODFW. The Service used the infamous M-44 cyanide poisoning trap in once case that injured a boy and killed a pet dog in Idaho. The judge in the federal lawsuit brought by a coalition of wildlife advocates, apparently is not familiar with the science which supports the conclusion that apex predators have a profound impact on ecosystems beyond mere reduction in prey populations or livestock depredations. {11.05.17} Arguing that because ODFW made the decision to destroy the wolves as part of its management of an federally unprotected species, NEPA does not apply to the actions of a federal agency called in to do the dirty work. Technicalities work wonders in the law.
Under Oregon's proposed plan wolves are classified a "special status game animal" that can be legally hunted or trapped in two situations: chronic livestock depredation in a localized area, and declines in wild ungulate populations, principally deer and elk. The draft plan does not allow a general hunting season, a prohibition that would hold for five years after the plan is adopted. The draft plan requires three confirmed depredations or one confirmed and four “probable” attacks within a 12 month period. The previous standard was two confirmed depredations or one confirmed and three attempted attacks, with no time period set. These restrictions are not popular with agricultural interests.
Anti-wolf bills pop up like poison pills in the legislature, which reflects both the depth of animosity for the apex predator in rural areas and the divide between urban and rural public opinion toward wolves. The draft plan requires three confirmed depredations or one confirmed and four “probable” attacks within a 12 month period. The previous standard was two confirmed depredations or one confirmed and three attempted attacks, with no time period set. The plan says wolves impact on favorite human prey species, deer and elk, is mixed due to the presence of other large predators. But the agency is sensitive to revenue raised by selling hunting permits to plain folks eager to kill wildlife, so it seems the days of sanctuary in Oregon may be coming to an end.