Help Bring Wolves Back to Oregon and Protect Them!!

YOU ARE NEEDED THIS THURSDAY FEB. 10TH!!!  LAST CHANCE TO TESTIFY IN FAVOR OF WOLF PROTECTION IN OREGON!!!  ANTI WOLF FOLKS WILL BE THERE IN NUMBERS, WE MUST BE THERE FOR THE WOLVES!!!  IF NOT YOU, THEN WHO???

In 1963 bounty hunters killed what was thought to be the last native wolf in Oregon, closing the book on a sorry chapter in our state’s history. In recent years there have been instances in which gray wolves crossed over the Snake River from Idaho into Eastern Oregon, only to be removed and killed. These majestic predators are missing from our state’s ecological balance to keep other animals in check and to improve habitat.

Because gray wolves may again attempt the crossing, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife recently began work on a plan for how to recover and manage wolf populations. A draft of this “Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Plan” has been released and is currently out for public comment. To see it, go to: www.dfw.state.or.us/wolves/main.html.

The plan is a good start to managing the wolf as it returns to its previous habitat, but it needs strengthening. Here is where you come in!

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1) Testify at the LAST Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission hearing       

Date: Thursday, February 10, 2005 (LAST CHANCE!!)

Time: 1:00-5:00pm

Location:  Sam Cox Annex Building, 1106 E. Columbia River Highway, Troutdale 

(Directions: >From the East or West, take I-84 to exit 18. Exit and turn left onto Crown Point Hwy. Go 1/2 mile and turn right onto E. Columbia River Hwy. Building is at 1/4 mi.) 

Some carpools will depart from the Sierra Club office at 2950 SE Stark at 12:15 pm. on Thursday. Please RSVP to Ivan Maluski at 503-243-6656, x304 if you can drive others or need a ride to

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT PRO WOLF VOICES BE HEARD! You are encouraged to testify and will have 3 minutes. Please let the Commission know that you support the plan but that you want wolf protections to be strengthened (see points below). It is recommended that you arrive well before the start time to sign up to speak.  The wolf gods will smile upon you!!!

2) Comment on the Plan!

Send in your written comments on the Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management plan by mail, e-mailed or fax. Comments are due February 10 ^th, 2005:

ODFW

Information and Education Division

3406 Cherry Avenue NE

Salem , OR 97303-4924

Fax: 503-947-6009

E-mail: Odfw.Comments@... (In the subject line, type: Wolf Comments)

Here are a few talking points we suggest you include in your public comments - written or oral.  Most importantly, speak from your heart:

Ř     Increase the number of mating pairs to at least 10 on both sides of the state before the wolf is de-listed.

Ř     There should be no harassment or killing of wolves on public land; our public lands should be managed with wildlife first.

Ř     Do not allow private industry interests to upset the delicate balance struck by the 12 member Wolf Advisory Committee that guided the draft of the plan.

Ř     Non-lethal controls and improved husbandry should be required for compensation and before any lethal actions are taken by livestock owners

For more information go to the Oregon Chapter web site at: www.oregon.sierraclub.org/conserv/wildlife/index.asp or email Patrick Shannon at pwshannon@....

THANK YOU!!!!