PHOTO COURTESY OF US FWS
Umatilla County is one of 10 in the state to receive funding to compensate for livestock losses caused by wolves.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture has approved $184,039 in funding distributed to 10 counties as part of the Oregon Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance County Block Grant Program. Umatilla County received the largest grant at over $67,000.
Funds for 2017 have been distributed for actual livestock losses or injuries caused by wolves, for missing livestock above the normal historical levels in areas of known wolf activity, for proactive efforts to prevent wolf and livestock interactions, and for county administrative costs.
Of the total funding provided by the block grants this year, $129,950– or 70 percent– is going towards proactive, non-lethal efforts to reduce conflicts between wolves and livestock.
According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Oregon’s 2016 wolf population slightly increased from 110 the previous year to 112 wolves.
This past year, Klamath joined Wallowa, Umatilla and Baker as counties experiencing the bulk of the state’s wolf activity. The four counties have received $152,097– approximately 82 percent of the money awarded for 2017.
Livestock owners worked with ODFW to document losses tied to confirmed or probable livestock deaths or injuries due to wolves. Payments are made on a reimbursement basis for depredations that occurred during the previous grant cycle.
Wallowa, Klamath, Umatilla, Lake, and Jackson counties filed claims with ODA after experiencing confirmed or probable livestock losses in the 2016 cycle. These counties are being awarded $15,227 to compensate affected ranchers for losses due to death and/or injury. Wallowa County received $9,390, Klamath County received $4,070, Umatilla County received $900, Lake County received $600, and Jackson County received $267 for compensation.
Baker, Umatilla, and Wallowa counties are being awarded $34,942 total to compensate ranchers for missing livestock due to wolves. Baker County received $16,125, Umatilla County received $11,212, and Wallowa County received $7,605 for compensation.
Historically, deterrent techniques utilized from block grant funding include one or more of the following activities:
· Reducing attractants– bone pile removal, carcass disposal sites
· Barriers– fencing, fladry, electrified fladry
· Human presence– range riders, herders
· Alarm or scare devices– Radio-Activated-Guard (RAG) device, other light and sound making devices
· Hazing or harassment of wolves– loud noises, spotlights, or other confrontation with wolves
· Livestock protection dogs and other guarding animals
· Livestock management/husbandry changes– changing pastures, night feeding, reduced calving period, birthing earlier, changing herd structure
· Experimental practices– bio-fencing, belling cattle
· Public outreach/education for ranchers
A total of $3,920 was awarded to seven counties to help with administrative costs.
The following is a list of the total awards made by ODA to counties as part of the Oregon Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance County Block Grant Program for the 2017 Grant Period:
· Umatilla, $67,363
· Wallowa, $47,445
· Baker, $23,219
· Klamath, $14,070
· Lake, $10,600
· Morrow, $8,675
· Jackson, $5,717
· Union, $5,000
· Wheeler, $1,500
· Malheur, $450
The fund process remains available for counties to address depredations that occur in the future. In that event, livestock operators should submit claims to their local county wolf advisory committee.
