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PostTue Aug 11, 2020 8:25 am 
Tuesday August 11, 2020 07:40 PDT WDFW GRAY WOLF UPDATE A new update on wolf activities is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/updates
WDFW, in their Wolf Update of 08/11/20 wrote:
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind today (August 11, 2020) reauthorized WDFW staff to lethally remove one to two wolves from the Wedge pack territory in response to repeated depredations of cattle on grazing lands in Stevens County. The Department believes there are currently two adult wolves in the pack. On July 27, WDFW lethally removed an adult, non-breeding female member of the Wedge wolf pack. Following the lethal removal, WDFW staff have conducted multiple investigations of livestock reported as depredated by wolves in the Wedge pack territory. Of these investigations, nine livestock belonging to two different livestock producers (Producers 2 and 3 below) and were determined by WDFW staff to have been injured or killed by wolves (one probable mortality and eight confirmed injuries) in six different events. Based on the age of the documented injuries, two of these events are believed to have occurred after the July 27 lethal removal. As such, Director Susewind has decided to reinitiate lethal removal actions in the Wedge pack. The proactive and responsive non-lethal deterrents used by the affected livestock producers (described below) in the area this grazing season have not curtailed further depredations. Director Susewind's decision is consistent with the guidance of the state's Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and the lethal removal provisions of the Department's 2017 wolf-livestock interaction protocol. Consistent with the guidance of the plan and protocol, the rationale for authorizing lethal removal of Wedge wolves is as follows: WDFW has documented 16 depredation events (12 within the last 30 days) resulting in four dead livestock and 19 injured livestock since May 11, 2020 attributed to the Wedge pack. All events were considered confirmed wolf depredation incidents with the exception of one probable incident. At least two proactive deterrence measures and responsive deterrence measures (if applicable) were implemented by each of the three livestock producers affected by the depredations: Producer 1 At the time of the first depredation, the affected livestock were pastured near the producer’s home; they were checked daily and there was regular human presence in the area. The producer calved near the home, monitored for sick/injured livestock, used carcass sanitation, and hazed wolves away during the first depredation incident. Following the depredations, WDFW staff placed Fox lights in the pasture. Producer 1 used Cattle Producers of Washington (CPoW) range riders mainly on a 100-acre private pasture near the residence. Range riders transitioned with the livestock to larger summer grazing allotments. Producer 1 has not experienced any depredation events since May 19. Producer 2 The producer removed or treated sick or injured livestock when discovered, used carcass sanitation, calved away from areas occupied by wolves, delayed turnout of livestock until wild ungulates were born, had human presence around livestock, and used range riders. This livestock producer used CPoW range riders for six full days and eight partial days from May 21 through June 18 mainly on an 800-acre private pasture. Range riders transitioned with the livestock to larger summer grazing allotments. Following the depredation confirmed on June 17, range riding and livestock monitoring efforts were intensified. Range riding has been occurring four days per week, with the largest gap in coverage being two days. In addition to this increase in range riding, the producer, family members, or ranch staff have checked the cattle on the grazing allotment in the Wedge territory on a daily basis since the depredation confirmed on June 17. Producer 3 The producer removed or treated sick or injured livestock when discovered, used carcass sanitation, delayed turnout of livestock to forested/upland grazing pastures, used a CPoW range rider, and had daily human presence around livestock. Following depredations documented in August, this livestock producer deployed two Northeast Washington Wolf Cattle Collaborative (NEWWCC) range riders. The Department documented these deterrents in the agency's "wolf-livestock mitigation measures" checklist, with date entries for deterrent tools and coordination with the producers and range riders. WDFW expects depredations to continue even with non-lethal tools being utilized. Staff also believe there are no reasonable, additional, responsive, non-lethal tools that could be deployed. The lethal removal of one or two wolves from the Wedge pack territory is not expected to harm the wolf population's ability to reach the statewide recovery objective. WDFW has documented three known wolf mortalities in the state since Jan 1, 2020. In previous years, WDFW has documented 12 – 21 mortalities per year and the population has continued to grow and expand its range. The Department’s wolf plan also modeled lethal removal to help inform decision makers during this stage of recovery. The analysis in the plan included wolf survival estimates from northwest Montana, which incorporated a 28% mortality rate. It is important to note that agency lethal control was factored into that 28% mortality estimate. To err on the side of caution (i.e., when in doubt assume greater impact to wolf population so true impact is not underestimated), the scenarios modeled in the wolf plan included an even higher level of lethal control (i.e., removing 30% of population every four years in addition to baseline 28% mortality rate). Based on that modeling analysis, as well as an analysis of higher levels of potential mortality on the actual population level of wolves in the eastern recovery zone and statewide, we do not expect this action to jeopardize wolf recovery in the eastern recovery zone or statewide. WDFW discussed the impacts of removing one or two wolves from the Wedge pack territory and determined the current level of mortality should not negatively impact the ability to recover wolves in Washington. WDFW is providing one full business day (eight hours) advance public notice before initiating lethal removal activity. WDFW will keep the public informed about this activity through weekly updates. The next update will be provided on Aug. 18.
-WDFW-

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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PostFri Aug 14, 2020 3:20 pm 
Thursday August 13, 2020 16:29 PDT WDFW GRAY WOLF UPDATE A new update on wolf activities is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/updates
WDFW, in their Wolf Update of 08/13/20 @ 16:29 PDT wrote:
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind today (August 13, 2020) authorized WDFW staff to lethally remove one to two wolves from the Leadpoint pack territory in response to repeated depredations of cattle on private grazing lands in Stevens County. Since the update published on Aug. 7, WDFW staff have conducted multiple depredation investigations of livestock reported as injured or killed by wolves in the Leadpoint pack territory. Of these investigations, six livestock were determined to have been injured or killed by wolves (two dead and four injured livestock). The proactive and responsive non-lethal deterrents used by the affected livestock producer (described below) in the area this grazing season have not curtailed further depredations. Director Susewind's decision is consistent with the guidance of the state's Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and the lethal removal provisions of the Department's 2017 wolf-livestock interaction protocol. Consistent with the guidance of the plan and protocol, the rationale for authorizing lethal removal of Leadpoint wolves is as follows: WDFW has documented eleven depredation events (seven within the last 30 days) resulting in three dead calves and nine injured calves since June 19, 2020 attributed to the Leadpoint pack. All events were considered confirmed wolf depredation incidents. At least two (in this case, more than two) proactive deterrence measures and responsive deterrence measures (if applicable) were implemented by the livestock producer affected by the depredations, including: Calving outside the pack territory, Delaying turnout of calves until the end of May when calves averaged 175-200 pounds, Choosing not to utilize a USFS public grazing allotment due to wolf activity and instead grazing the cattle in a private, fenced pasture in a valley bottom, Delaying turnout of calves to upland/forested pastures until August (to coincide with deer fawns, and elk and moose calves becoming available as prey), Removing sick/injured livestock from the pasture, Carcass sanitation, Not turning out cows in estrus and allowing steers to heal after castration before releasing onto pasture, Human presence around livestock, and Using two Cattle Producers of Washington (CPoW) conflict monitors (CPoW’s title for describing range riders) three to four days a week at least two weeks before the first confirmed depredation. Range riding is typically the best-suited tool for large allotment-style grazing operations with dispersed grazing. In this case, the cattle are more defensible that those in an allotment-type setting, because these cattle are within a fenced pasture (that allows for using fladry, fox lights, and a RAG box) along the valley bottom, adjacent to a road, with dispersed residences, and with frequent human presence. Range riding in this scenario has been adapted to this fenced pasture setting for any additional potential it has to deter wolf-livestock conflict. Following depredations reported on June 26, WDFW staff (including conflict specialists, wolf biologists, and district/wildlife area biologists), the Ferry/Stevens County Wildlife Specialist, and a CPoW conflict monitor organized a coordinated work party to put up fox lights and over a mile of fladry along the several-hundred acre pasture. Wolves were soon documented crossing under the fladry, and WDFW staff deployed a radio-activated guard (RAG) box and more fox lights as additional deterrents. WDFW staff also attempted to haze wolves thought to be using the private pasture. The Department documented these deterrents in the agency's "wolf-livestock mitigation measures" checklist, with date entries for deterrent tools and coordination with the producers and range riders. WDFW expects depredations to continue even with non-lethal tools being utilized. Staff also believe there are no reasonable, additional reactive non-lethal tools that could be deployed. The lethal removal of one or two wolves from the Leadpoint pack territory is not expected to harm the wolf population's ability to reach the statewide recovery objective. WDFW has documented three known wolf mortalities in the state since Jan 1, 2020. In previous years, WDFW has documented 12 – 21 mortalities per year and the population has continued to grow and expand its range. The Department’s wolf plan also modeled lethal removal to help inform decision makers during this stage of recovery. The analysis in the plan included wolf survival estimates from northwest Montana, which incorporated a 28% mortality rate. It is important to note that agency lethal control was factored into that 28% mortality estimate. To err on the side of caution (i.e., when in doubt assume greater impact to wolf population so true impact is not underestimated), the scenarios modeled in the wolf plan included an even higher level of lethal control (i.e., removing 30% of population every four years in addition to baseline 28% mortality rate). Based on that modeling analysis, as well as an analysis of higher levels of potential mortality on the actual population level of wolves in the eastern recovery zone and statewide, we do not expect this action to jeopardize wolf recovery in the eastern recovery zone or statewide. WDFW discussed the impacts of removing one or two wolves from the Leadpoint pack territory and determined the current level of mortality should not negatively impact the ability to recover wolves in Washington. WDFW is providing one full business day (eight hours) advance public notice before initiating lethal removal activity. WDFW will keep the public informed about this activity through weekly updates. The next update will be provided on Aug. 20.
-WDFW- (* emphasis added *) =========================================================== Thursday August 13, 2020 17:39 PDT WDFW NEWS RELEASE WDFW director authorizes lethal action in Leadpoint wolf pack OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind today authorized the incremental removal of wolves from the Leadpoint pack in northeast Washington in response to repeated depredations of cattle. The Leadpoint pack has been involved in 11 depredation events since June 19, 2020. This is despite the use of proactive non-lethal deterrents by area livestock producers. Those deterrents include: Calving away from areas occupied by wolves, Choosing not to utilize a grazing allotment on public lands, Removing sick and injured livestock from the grazing area until they are healed, Delaying turnout of calves (to coincide with deer fawns, and elk and moose calves becoming available as prey), Calving away from areas occupied by wolves, Removing sick/injured livestock from the pasture, Carcass sanitation, Allowing steers to heal after castration before releasing into the pasture, Human presence around livestock, and using Cattle Producers of Washington (CPoW) conflict monitors. "Despite the use of proactive non-lethal efforts and deterrents, this pack has continued to attack livestock," Susewind said. "While not an easy decision by any means, there is a balance that must be achieved when it comes to wolves, humans, and livestock co-existing. In this case, non-lethal measures have not been successful and we believe the pattern of depredations will continue." Director Susewind's decision is consistent with the guidance of the state's Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and the provisions of the Department's wolf-livestock interaction protocol. Under the protocol, WDFW can consider lethal removal of wolves if department staff confirm three depredations by wolves on livestock within 30 days, or four within 10 months. The lethal removal of wolves in the Leadpoint pack is not expected to harm the wolf population's ability to reach statewide recovery. WDFW's approach to incremental lethal removal consists of a period of active lethal removal operations followed by an evaluation period to determine if those actions modified pack behavior. Following an eight-hour required notification process (one business day), the Department will initiate lethal removal activity. WDFW will use humane lethal removal methods. WDFW will provide a final report on this and other lethal removal operations that have occurred during 2020 in the Washington Gray Wolf Conservation and Management 2020 Annual Report, which will be published during spring 2021. -WDFW-

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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PostMon Aug 17, 2020 10:06 am 
Monday August 17, 2020 09:42 PDT WDFW GRAY WOLF UPDATE A new update on wolf activities is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/updates
WDFW, in their Wolf Update of 08/17/20 wrote:
Final Wedge pack update On Aug. 13, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) lethally removed the two known remaining members of the Wedge wolf pack (an adult male and an adult female). A series of WDFW investigations had shown the pack responsible for 16 depredation incidents. The last documented livestock depredation in this pack territory occurred on Aug. 1. WDFW will provide a final report on this and any other lethal removal operations during 2020 in the Washington Gray Wolf Conservation and Management 2020 Annual Report, which will be published during spring 2021.
-WDFW-

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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PostMon Aug 17, 2020 5:43 pm 
Monday August 17. 2020 14:44 PDT WDFW GRAY WOLF UPDATE A new update on wolf activities is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/updates
WDFW, in their second Wolf Update of 08/17/20 wrote:
On Aug. 13, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) lethally removed the two known remaining members of the Wedge wolf pack (an adult male and an adult female). A series of WDFW investigations had shown the pack responsible for 16 depredation incidents. The last documented livestock depredation in this pack territory occurred on Aug. 1. WDFW will provide a final report on this and any other lethal removal operations during 2020 in the Washington Gray Wolf Conservation and Management 2020 Annual Report, which will be published during spring 2021.
-WDFW- (* I cannot help but wonder if the redundant notice about killing off the rest of the Wedge Pack might somehow be connected to that "Ding! Dong! The Witch is Dead!" song from "The Wizard of Oz" where the Coroner proudly declares that "She's not only really dead, she's really most sincerely dead." *)

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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PostWed Aug 19, 2020 12:36 pm 
Wednesday August 19, 2020 WDFW GRAY WOLF UPDATE A new update on wolf activities is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/updates
WDFW, in their Wolf Update of 08/19/20 wrote:
In July's monthly wolf update, WDFW reported the natural mortality of wolf 32M, formerly the breeding male of the Teanaway pack. Statewide wolf specialist Ben Maletzke reflects on the first wolf he radio-collared in this state--the wolf that literally started the repopulation of wolves in Washington’s central Cascades, and a 'patriarch' of wolves in Washington.
-WDFW-

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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PostThu Aug 20, 2020 11:19 am 
Thursday August 20, 2020 11:09 PDT WDFW GRAY WOLF UPDATE A new update on wolf activities is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/updates
WDFW, in their Wolf Update of 08/20/20 wrote:
This is a weekly update for the Leadpoint pack following the lethal removal authorization by WDFW Director Kelly Susewind on Aug. 13. WDFW has not removed any wolves since the authorization; the lethal removal authorization is still in effect. On Aug. 13, WDFW Director Kelly Susewind authorized Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff to lethally remove one to two wolves from the Leadpoint pack territory in response to repeated depredations of cattle on private grazing lands in Stevens County under the guidance of the state's Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and the lethal removal provisions of the department's wolf-livestock interaction protocol. WDFW confirmed an additional wolf depredation of an injured calf on Aug. 14 in the same private pasture as the previous depredations in the Leadpoint pack territory. WDFW has documented twelve depredation events (eight within the last 30 days) resulting in three dead calves and ten injured calves since June 19, 2020 attributed to the Leadpoint pack.
( * emphasis added * ) -WDFW-

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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treeswarper
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PostFri Aug 21, 2020 10:08 am 
Perhaps this would work? cow butt eyes

What's especially fun about sock puppets is that you can make each one unique and individual, so that they each have special characters. And they don't have to be human––animals and aliens are great possibilities
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PostFri Aug 21, 2020 3:49 pm 
sounds intriguing. URL passed along to Kelly Susewind and a couple other contacts. for the record, I will NOT be painting eyes on MY butt.

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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PostThu Aug 27, 2020 4:41 pm 
Thursday August 27, 2020 15:59 PDT WDFW GRAY WOLF UPDATE A new update on wolf activities is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/updates
WDFW, in their Wolf Update of 08/27/20 wrote:
This is a weekly update for the Leadpoint pack following the lethal removal authorization by WDFW Director Kelly Susewind on Aug. 13. WDFW has not removed any wolves since the authorization; the lethal removal authorization is still in effect. On Aug. 13, WDFW Director Kelly Susewind authorized Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff to lethally remove one to two wolves from the Leadpoint pack territory in response to repeated depredations of cattle on private grazing lands in Stevens County under the guidance of the state's Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and the lethal removal provisions of the department's wolf-livestock interaction protocol. WDFW has not documented any wolf depredations in the Leadpoint pack territory since Aug. 14. WDFW has documented twelve depredation events (eight within the last 30 days) resulting in three dead calves and ten injured calves since June 19, 2020 attributed to the Leadpoint pack.
(* emphasis added *) -WDFW-

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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PostThu Aug 27, 2020 7:00 pm 
Googley
Ski wrote:
sounds intriguing. URL passed along to Kelly Susewind and a couple other contacts. for the record, I will NOT be painting eyes on MY butt.
Ski wrote:
sounds intriguing. URL passed along to Kelly Susewind and a couple other contacts. for the record, I will NOT be painting eyes on MY butt.
Ski, How antediluvian. And I haven’t placed you on the list of naked walkers. (I miss The Traveler.) It’s about googley eyes on rear pants pockets. D’uh. Best.

Keep Calm and Carry On? Heck No. Stay Excited and Get Outside!
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PostTue Sep 08, 2020 7:47 am 
Gov. Inslee has directed the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission to draft new rules governing the killing of wolves involved in conflicts with livestock: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environmentalists-praise-gov-inslees-order-for-new-rules-on-the-killing-of-wolves/ Here is the letter from Inslee to Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission: https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/wolves_on_the_west_coast/pdfs/Sept-4-2020-Letter-to-DFW-Wolf-Mgmt-Appeal.pdf

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PostThu Sep 17, 2020 8:34 am 
Monday September 14, 2020 14:00 PDT WDFW GRAY WOLF UPDATE A new update on wolf activities is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/updates -WDFW-

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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PostThu Sep 17, 2020 8:48 am 
altasnob wrote:
Gov. Inslee has directed the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission to draft new rules governing the killing of wolves involved in conflicts with livestock: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environmentalists-praise-gov-inslees-order-for-new-rules-on-the-killing-of-wolves/ Here is the letter from Inslee to Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission: https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/wolves_on_the_west_coast/pdfs/Sept-4-2020-Letter-to-DFW-Wolf-Mgmt-Appeal.pdf
===========================================================
Nicholas K. Geranios, reporting for the Associated Press wrote:
"The Democrat on Friday reversed..."
Why "The Democrat"? This is analogous to articles written along the lines of "Four black men robbed a convenience store last Friday." Right out of the gate, the author's objectivity in reporting on this is in question. Journalism 101. Why isn't "The Center for Biological Diversity" on the Wolf Advisory Group if they're so concerned about the welfare of the wolves? Why do they not participate in the process, and only come in after the fact with lawsuits, challenging the rules and policies of those stakeholders who have participated in the process? Could it be because they know they'll get tossed off the Wolf Advisory Group's membership list, as was Tim Coleman? Or it because the only way they can keep their organization afloat is by filing lawsuits against governmental agencies and then recouping their legal costs through the Equal Access to Justice Act? Which is it, really? And the big WHY is: WHY is Inslee even involved in this? Micro-management of one aspect of the the operations of the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife by a man who has no background in wildlife biology seems a bit of a stretch. The agency is following the rules established and agreed upon by the members of the Wolf Advisory Group, all done within the parameters set forth in the federal Endangered Species Act as well as the state Endangered Species Act. Why are third, and fourth parties interfering with that process that was agreed upon by the group assigned to establish the rules and policies? Both the Center for Biological Diversity and Inslee need to butt the hell out and let WDFW do its job without their needless interference.

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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PostFri Sep 18, 2020 4:34 pm 
Thursday September 17, 2020 08:38 PDT WDFW GRAY WOLF UPDATE A new update on wolf activities is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/updates
WDFW, in their Wolf Update of 09/17/20 wrote:
This is a weekly update for the Leadpoint pack following the lethal removal authorization by WDFW Director Kelly Susewind on Aug. 13. On Aug. 13, WDFW Director Kelly Susewind authorized Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff to lethally remove one to two wolves from the Leadpoint pack territory in response to repeated depredations of cattle on private grazing lands in Stevens County under the guidance of the state's Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and the lethal removal provisions of the department's wolf-livestock interaction protocol. WDFW has not removed any wolves since the authorization, but has made attempts. WDFW has not documented any wolf depredations in the Leadpoint pack territory since Aug. 14. As of the date of this update, the pack has been involved in 12 depredation events in the last 10 months and zero in the last 30 days. WDFW’s approach to incremental removal consists of a period of active operations followed by an evaluation period to determine if those actions changed the pack’s behavior (for example, by disrupting the overlap of wolves and livestock or the pattern of repeated depredation). If no wolves are removed during a period of attempted incremental removal, a period of evaluation will still occur to determine any shifts in the behavior of the pack; the act of attempting to lethally remove wolves (e.g., helicopter activity over a wolf territory, setting foothold traps in an area with livestock that have had frequent interactions with wolves) may result in meeting the goal of changing pack behavior and stopping recurrent depredations while continuing to promote wolf recovery. The department has now entered an evaluation period. If WDFW documents additional livestock depredations indicating a renewed pattern of depredation, the Department may initiate another lethal removal action following the guidelines of the Wolf Plan and wolf-livestock interaction protocol. WDFW will provide a final report on this and any other lethal removal operations during 2020 in the Washington Gray Wolf Conservation and Management 2020 Annual Report, which will be published during spring 2021. A summary of all documented depredation activity within the past 10 months is included in every monthly wolf update.
-WDFW-

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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PostSat Sep 19, 2020 9:33 am 
Ski wrote:
Why isn't "The Center for Biological Diversity" on the Wolf Advisory Group if they're so concerned about the welfare of the wolves? And the big WHY is: WHY is Inslee even involved in this?
This is not a law suit that can result in Center for Biological Diversity getting attorney fees. There is no way they can be awarded any money for this appeal. Their appeal falls under the laws of the State Administrative Procedure Act, which is modeled after the federal Administrative Procedure Act. Read RCW 34.05.330, which is the statute Inslee cites in his letter. If you read that statute you will see that anyone can petition the agency (State Fish and Wildlife here) to amend an administrative rule (called WAC's in Washington). The agency does not have to act on that petition. But if they don't act, the person can then petition to the governor to get the agency to reconsider their decision. You or I could do the same exact thing that Center for Biological Diversity did. It costs no money, and you receive no money. Note that Inslee is not telling the agency they have to rewrite their rules, but he gives them specific guidance in his letter for what he thinks is important for them to address. Those issues, quoted from the letter, are: "-Standardized definition and requirements for the use of range riders; -Requirements for use of non-lethal deterrents most appropriate for specified situations (wolf population and range, size and location of livestock operation, terrain and habitat, history of depredation); -Action plans in areas of chronic depredation to end the need for annual lethal removal; and, -Compliance measures where livestock operators do not implement the required non-lethal measures."

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