Colorado’s wolf request to Washington not off the table despite ongoing status review

(The Center Square) – A Washington state wildlife committee recently discussed Colorado’s formal request to source wolves for its reintroduction plan from the Evergreen State, but decided more discussion was needed at a later date.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Wildlife Committee last week heard the details of a status review for gray wolves in the state and the potential downlisting of the species to sensitive, Northwest Sportsman magazine reported. The committee also discussed Colorado’s wolf sourcing request, which came in a May 15 letter from Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis.

In the letter, Davis asked Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind they could “begin the discussion to determine if [Washington] would be a willing donor, and if so, embark on the necessary process to secure the arrangement.”

Colorado voters in 2020 approved Proposition 114, which requires the state to begin restoring the gray wolf population by the end of 2023. The measure was passed despite confirmation earlier that year that wolves had migrated into the state.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approved its finalized restoration and management plan in early May.

- Advertisement -

“It is anticipated that wolf reintroduction efforts will require the transfer of about 30 to 50 wolves, total, over a 3 to 5 year time frame,” Colorado’s plan says. “It is desirable to source wolves from the northern Rockies states (Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming) or other suitable donor sites (Oregon, Washington, as recommended by the [Technical Working Group]) with assistance from other state wildlife management agencies.”

A CPW spokesperson confirmed to The Center Square that formal requests to source wolves have been sent to Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Idaho.

At the Wildlife Committee hearing last Thursday, Committee Chair Lorna Smith recommended responding to Colorado’s request with a letter saying, “we don’t think it’s the appropriate time for us to approve this; that we’re not closing the door completely on their request to have Washington wolves go to Colorado.”

“While we are in the middle of this periodic status review and listing decision, I think is not an appropriate time for us to make this decision…” she added.

The committee decided Colorado’s request should be up for discussion with the whole commission at a later date.

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Founded on this day in 1837, Cheyney University Celebrates Its Legacy as the Nation’s Oldest HBCU

Cheyney University, originally known as the African Institute, was...

Attorney General Bondi Moves to Gut DEI, Targets Private Sector and DOJ Policies

The Trump administration’s war on diversity, equity, and inclusion...

This Day in History: Dr. Carter G. Woodson Establishes Negro History Week in 1926

On February 7, 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson established...

Sean Duffy takes helm of $110 billion U.S. Department of Transportation

(The Center Square) – Sean Duffy, a former U.S....

Sen. Murray says federal funding freeze is hurting critical projects in WA

(The Center Square) – U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.,...

Educators urge patience with new funding outcomes

(The Center Square) - Educators and families say the...

East Palestine, Norfolk Southern reach $22M settlement

(The Center Square) – Nearly two years after a...

North Carolina proposal scraps DMV for new authority

(The Center Square) – Renaming and redirecting chain of...

More like this
Related

Founded on this day in 1837, Cheyney University Celebrates Its Legacy as the Nation’s Oldest HBCU

Cheyney University, originally known as the African Institute, was...

Attorney General Bondi Moves to Gut DEI, Targets Private Sector and DOJ Policies

The Trump administration’s war on diversity, equity, and inclusion...

This Day in History: Dr. Carter G. Woodson Establishes Negro History Week in 1926

On February 7, 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson established...

Sean Duffy takes helm of $110 billion U.S. Department of Transportation

(The Center Square) – Sean Duffy, a former U.S....