Oregon Public Broadcasting

Wallowa County Board of Commissioners has voted to put in an application requesting $30,500 through the state Wolf Depredation Compensation grant program.

The three commissioners voted unanimously Monday, Feb. 6, to approve a compensation request of $20,000 for livestock damage ($11,730 for loss due to wolves from September 2011 to present and the additional amount for loss expected before the next claim period in a year). The request also included $10,000 for non-lethal deterrent of wolves and $500 for costs to implement the grant program locally.

The main question up in the air was whether the county would apply only what it could document now (the $11,730 in losses) or try to get funds for expected future losses.

"In talking to other counties, ... it is my understanding they plan to request for a substantial amount out of the program for future losses," BOC chairman Mike Hayward said. "... It's next year before we can apply again."

In the end, the decision was to apply for future loss funds, with the knowledge that in the last couple of years the heaviest losses have been in the spring.

The commission used figures supplied by its Community Alliance Livestock Fund (C.A.L.F) advisory committee and a separate claims committee established to set livestock values to come up with its compensation claim request.

The Oregon legislature established the fund Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance Block Grant Program 2012 under House Bill 3560 last June. The bill appropriated a total of $100,000 from the general fund, with $50,000 expected to be granted in 2012 and $50,000 in 2013.

Under the funding rules, at least 30 percent of each application is required to be for non-lethal deterrent to keep wolves away from livestock.

The deadline to apply for the first round of funds is Feb. 15, and there won't be another application period for another year.

Cynthia Warnock represented C.A.L.F. and the claims committee in presenting their monetary assessments and recommendations.

She explained that the recommendation from the committees was to ask for non-lethal deterrent fund for the range rider position, which was felt to "give the biggest bang for the buck," though part could also be spent on other methods. A $10,000 grant amount would pay for 66 ½ days (533 hours) for a range rider.

The $11,730 compensation was for two probable and eight confirmed wolf degradations by the Imnaha pack between Sept. 7, 2011 and Jan. 13 this year in Wallowa County, ranging from $1,500 for a probably mule kill, and $840 for two confirmed calf kills.

Commissioner Susan Roberts is a member of the C.A.L.F. board of directors, along with ranchers Todd Nash and Levi Herman, and co-existence supporters Mark Porter and Wally Sykes. Two vacancies representing business interests are currently vacant.

Ex-officio members of C.A.L.F. are Bill Williams, represent Farm Service Agency; Warnock, a member of the Soil and Water Conservation staff; John Williams, OSU Extension agent; and ranchers Rod Childers and Dwayne Voss.

On the separate claims committee are Alan Klages, a SWCD director; Donna Smith, FSA county committee member; Scott McClaran, county OCA representative; and ranchers Dennis Sheehy and Todd Nash.

The committees, amended to meet state membership specifications, were officially approved by a 2-1 vote of the board of commissioners Jan. 17. Commissioner Paul Castilleja voted against the order making the appointments because he objected to the inclusion of Wally Sykes of Joseph.

Castilleja said that he objected on principal because Sykes "had written letters to the Chieftain cutting down the ranchers and testifying in Salem against the compensation bill."

After Monday's meeting, Castilleja said he is satisfied with Wallowa County's compensation application "if they are going to give us the money. That remains to be seen."

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