[ODFW-News] ODFW wolf Web site updated with current information

[ODFW News]

Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002

For Immediate Release	Monday, July 26, 2004

ODFW wolf Web site updated with current information

SALEM - People with an interest in the development of a wolf management
plan for Oregon may now read all the materials produced for a committee
that has met monthly since last year.

The materials are posted on a newly updated Web site at
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wolves/main.html.

The Wolf Advisory Committee expects to complete its work in August and
present a draft Oregon Wolf Management Plan to the Oregon Fish and
Wildlife Commission at the Commission's Sept. 9, 2004, meeting in Salem.
The presentation is scheduled to take place from noon until 5 p.m. The
Commission will vote Oct. 15 to initiate a public review process on the
draft plan. Final adoption of the plan is expected in January 2005.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission appointed the 14-member Wolf Advisory
Committee in 2003 to help study all the issues surrounding wolves in
Oregon and to recommend management actions that will be used once a
permanent population establishes itself. The Commission decided to
proactively develop a wolf management plan so the state is prepared for
the expected arrival of wolves. This decision came after hearing from
many wolf experts and the results of 15 town hall meetings held in late
2002 and early 2003. 

Members of the public may watch the proceedings of the Wolf Advisory
Committee. The last meeting is scheduled for Aug. 19-20 in the Salem
area. Fifteen minutes will be available at the end of second day for
oral public comment. Members of the public also may submit written
comments. Forms will be provided at the meeting. Written comments also
may be submitted to ODFW.Comments at state.or.us. 

No wolves are confirmed to be in Oregon at this time. However, numerous
unconfirmed sightings have been documented. Biologists expect wolves to
enter Oregon from the expanding population in Idaho and eventually
establish a permanent population in this state. Anyone who thinks they
have seen a wolf should call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Bend
at (541) 312-6429. 

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is the policy-making body for
fish and wildlife issues in the state. The Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife carries out the policies of the Commission. 

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