Myriad Issues Addressed at Denver Wolf Summit

April 23, 2004 -- There?s no such thing as an ideal situation for dealing with wolves, but there are mechanisms for lessening some of the challenges. That was the overall theme of a Wolf Summit held April 16th in Denver.

Speakers from state farm bureaus, law offices, cattle grower and wool grower associations, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Montana State University and the Idaho State Office of Species Conservation provided updates on myriad topics including state wolf management plans, wolf recovery expectations, wolf delistings, proposed amendments to the 10j rule of the Endangered Species Act and litigation on both sides of the wolf issue.

The crowd of 40 also heard about the impact of wolves on numerous industries, including ranching, recreation, logging and big game hunting. Financing for wolf-related activities at the state and federal levels also was a main topic, with Ric Molen of Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) office urging those in need to draft plans outlining their financial requirements.

?We don?t have a budget yet, but we?re assuming we?ll have a lot less money than in years past,? said Molen. ?There are a number of bills that continue to come up, and any funding we get is discretionary. Every state needs to go to its delegation to ask them?to work with the members of the appropriations committee?for funding.?

The one-day summit was sponsored by the American Sheep Industry Association, American Farm Bureau, National Cattlemen's Beef Association and Public Lands Council. Watch for additional summit coverage in the July 2004 edition of ASI?s monthly tabloid, Sheep Industry News.

Staff contact: Tom McDonnell, ext. 54

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