[ODFW-News] Comment period extended for cougar management plan

[ODFW News]

For Immediate Release Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006
 
Comment period extended for cougar management plan

SALEM - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission today announced it will
extend the public comment period for revisions to the draft Oregon
Cougar Management Plan, to ensure that those with an interest in the
issue have sufficient time to provide input. 

The decision was made after the Oregon Sporting Dogs Association, the
Oregon chapter of the Sierra Club, and the Humane Society of the United
States made formal requests, pursuant to ORS 183.335. The law provides
for an agency extension of its intended rulemaking action at the request
of interested parties. 

With the new timeline, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is
scheduled to make a final rulemaking decision on the proposed cougar
plan following a 1 p.m. hearing April 13 in Salem. 

Oregon's cougar population is estimated at more than 5,000 animals.
While wildlife managers consider cougars an Oregon success story, the
cats are encountering increasing conflicts with human and livestock
populations. 
 
ODFW last updated its cougar management plan in 1993. The proposed plan
reflects changes to ODFW's management authorities since that time, and
outlines a more responsive approach to managing cougars to minimize
conflicts. It was developed during the past year with public and
stakeholder input that has included six public meetings, two focus group
meetings and more than 2,000 public comments from more than 1,000
individuals.
 
The proposed cougar management plan is available on ODFW's Web site,
www.dfw.state.or.us. 
 
ODFW welcomes comments on the draft Cougar Management Plan. Comments may
be submitted via email to cougar.plan at state.or.us, or in-person at
public meetings. Written comments should be sent to ODFW Cougar Plan,
3406 Cherry Ave. NE, Salem, OR 97303. Written comments must be received
by April 12 to be included in packets delivered to the Commissioners.
Comments will be accepted through the end of the cougar hearing April
13. 
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