The Baker County Board of Commissioners approved a package of wildlife and wolf‑mitigation measures on July 2, including ORCIG funds allocation to a carcass‑composting program, ratification of a local MOU for a Skydio drone to support nonlethal hazing, and approval of USDA APHIS agreements.

Allocation to carcass composting: The board approved moving $8,887.23 in ORCIG (Oregon CIG) wolf funds to the county’s carcass‑composting program in partnership with USDA Wildlife Services and Baker Sanitary Service. The program allows producers and landowners to deliver carcasses for composting in areas of known wolf activity; USDA Wildlife Services and sanitary‑service staff will track carcass sources and monitor impacts. A county commissioner moved and the motion passed with the voice vote recorded as "aye."

Skydio drone MOU: The board ratified a memorandum of understanding that allows USDA Wildlife Services certified pilots to use a county‑owned Skydio drone purchased with grant funds for nonlethal wolf deterrence (hazing). The MOU had been signed by the Wolf Committee director and was ratified by motion at the meeting.

USDA APHIS agreements: The commission approved three USDA agreements brought forward at the meeting:
- An aerial predator management agreement, $6,000 (motion approved).
- A general wildlife damage management agreement, $53,500 (motion approved).
(Approval numbers and contract references were recorded in the meeting packet; the agreements authorize Wildlife Services activities including trapping, hazing and other nonlethal and lethal management measures as defined in federal/agency programs.)

Monitoring and reporting: County staff said the sage‑grouse local implementation team (LIT) will continue to monitor nest success and bird counts for the carcass program’s pilot outreach, and USDA Wildlife Services will track carcass receipts and locations. The board discussed expanding county pickup eligibility if monitoring suggests broader countywide need.

Why the board acted: County staff and the Wolf Committee said grant dollars must be spent or returned and that the carcass‑composting program helps reduce attractants where wolves are active. The drone was purchased to provide rapid, local detection of depredation and to support nonlethal hazing methods.

Formal outcomes (from the meeting record): The motion to allocate $8,887.23 in ORCIG funds to the carcass‑composting program passed (voice vote: "aye. Motion carries"). The memorandum of understanding for drone use was ratified. The USDA APHIS agreements for aerial predator management ($6,000) and general wildlife damage management ($53,500) were both approved by motion and recorded as carried.

Ending: County staff will continue coordination with USDA Wildlife Services and the Wolf Committee, return monitoring reports via the sage‑grouse LIT, and report back to the board if staff proposes expanding pickup coverage or further appropriations.