Wolf Fund Creation Bill Heading to Idaho Senate Floor A Bill Seeking to Kill up to 500 Idaho Wolves Kimberlee Kruesi / Twin Falls Times-News / March 14, 2014 Photo: Wolf Running in Snow / Andreas Krappweis A bill seeking to kill up to 500 Idaho wolves is one step closer to becoming law after it surived its full hearing Friday. The bill — sponsored by state Sen. Bert Brackett, R-Rogerson — would create a separate oversight board to fund projects to eliminate wolves that kill livestock or elk. The Senate Resource and Environment Committee passed the legislation unanimously after listening to a handful of testimony from sportsmen, wolf activists and industry representatives. The measure requests a fairly large price of $2 million to carry out the kill projects but it’s unlikely the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee will approve the full amount. “JFAC is going to do what JFAC is going to do,” Brackett said. “We’re hoping for the full $2 million.” The proposed legislation — which includes a sunset clause for 2019 — calls for a five-member oversight board made up of directors from the state’s Department of Fish and Game and Department of Agriculture as well representatives from the livestock industry, public at large and sportsmen. Brackett’s bill has received criticism that it’s uneccessary because the state already has a predator control board. “I believe this bill sets up a moral hazard,” said Ken Cole, of Hailey-based Western Watersheds, in opposition to the bill. “We’re being asked to pour money and subsidize what the livestock industry is unwilling to do.” Brackett said this board is needed because the federal government will soon cut off its funding support to control the wolves, which means the state needs a board to fund lethal control efforts. Unlike the predator control board, Brackett said, this new panel would have members from the sportsmen’s groups and the general public. Idaho’s wolves were taken off the endangered species list in 2011. Today, the state’s wolf population is estimated to be around 680 animals, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. If it falls below 150, the species will be once more classified as endangered by federal regulators. The bill now moves to the Senate floor for a full vote. If approved, the bill would also need the governor’s signature before it could become law.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 08:29:10 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015