[ODFW-News] Wolf advisory committee to meet Thursday and Friday in Bend

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Contact: 	Anne Pressentin Young (503) 947-6020	
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 947-6009
	

For Immediate Release	Monday, March 15, 2004

Wolf Advisory Committee to meet Thursday and Friday in Bend


SALEM - The fourth meeting of the Wolf Advisory Committee formed by the
Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will be held Thursday, March 18, and
Friday, March 19, at the National Guard Armory building in Bend.  

The agenda of the fourth meeting of the Wolf Advisory Committee
includes a review and discussion on a draft of a chapter on wolf
conservation, a presentation on livestock in Oregon, presentation and
discussion on wolf interactions with domestic animals and a discussion
to plan the April meeting. 

The official meeting will begin at 1 p.m., Thursday, March 18.
Thursday's discussions are expected to conclude at 5:30 p.m. The
meeting will re-start at 8 a.m., Friday, March 19, and will conclude at
3 p.m. The Armory is located at 875 S.W. Simpson in Bend. 

The 14-member committee was appointed last year by the Fish and
Wildlife Commission to help study all the issues surrounding wolves in
Oregon and to recommend management actions that will be used once a
permanent population establishes itself. 

No wolves are confirmed to be in Oregon at this time. However, numerous
unconfirmed sightings have been documented. Biologists expect wolves to
enter Oregon from the expanding population in Idaho and eventually
establish a permanent population in this state. Anyone who thinks they
have seen a wolf should contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in
Bend at (541) 312-6429. 

The Commission decided in 2003 to proactively develop a wolf management
plan so the state is prepared for wolves. This decision came after
hearing from many wolf experts and the results of 15 town hall meetings
held in late 2002 and early 2003. 

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is the policy-making body for
fish and wildlife issues in the state. The Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife carries out the policies of the Commission. 

Members of the public may watch the proceedings of the Wolf Advisory
Committee. Fifteen minutes will available at the end of the meeting for
oral public comment. Members of the public may submit written comments.
Forms will be provided at the meeting. Written comments also may be
submitted to ODFW.Comments at state.or.us. 

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Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002