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News
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Wolf depredation compensation program nearly ready
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12/14/2011
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Article Content Suggested lead
Money will soon be available to ranchers in Oregon who have been impacted by the return of the gray wolf:
Entire audio file
Audio 01
The return of the wolf to Oregon has already resulted in conflicts between the predatory animal and ranchers, resulting in killed or damaged livestock. The State Legislature recognized the issue and passed a law that directs the Oregon Department of Agriculture to set up a special program:
HANSEN: "A grant fund to be administered that would allow producers to be compensated for losses and injury due to wolf depredation." :12
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Audio 02
State Veterinarian Dr. Don Hansen says ODA has just finalized rules and will oversee the program, but the dollars will go first to counties. They will be ones to ultimately decide how to spend the money. He envisions two scenarios facing ranchers where the fund could be tapped:
HANSEN: "I've been attacked. I want some money to pay for the critters that got killed. The other is, I don't want wolves here and it's expensive to put wolf deterrent methods in, can you help me out?" :12
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The compensation fund is designed to help ranchers who have suffered already and those who want to prevent any conflicts. County advisory committees must be set up to receive funds from ODA, and there is a list of specific criteria to be met before dollars are awarded to ranchers. But with wolf conflicts already taking place, especially in Wallowa County of Eastern Oregon, there is little doubt the 100-thousand dollars allocated by lawmakers for this biennium will be spent. In Salem, I'm Bruce Pokarney.
Additional audio: Audio 03
HANSEN says preventing wolf attacks is just as important as addressing the damages already done. That's part of the intent of the program. He tells ranchers to make sure a county advisory committee is formed as soon as possible:
"Don't wait for a wolf event to happen in your county. There is money available for prevention. Form the committee." :11
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Additional audio: Audio 04
HANSEN says the compensation program is designed to complement state efforts to allow the return of the gray wolf to Oregon by addressing the needs of livestock owners:
"There is compassion for the suffering livestock and compassion for the producer who is experience losses due to depredation, and there is support for people who want to protect their livestock by practicing prevention." :18
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Full story
http://oregon.gov/ODA/news/111214wolf.shtml
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