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Local Fish and Game commissioners urge stronger state engagement on wolves, ask board to press CDFW
Summary
Members of the Lassen County Fish and Game Commission told the board they are frustrated by a perceived lack of communication from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and requested the county push for quarterly in‑person updates, data on livestock losses, and restoration of producer reimbursement programs.
Commissioners from the Lassen County Fish and Game Commission told the Board of Supervisors they are increasingly concerned about wolf‑livestock conflicts and asked the board to press the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for clearer communication and stronger measures.
Tony Ardito, vice chair of the commission, and Ryan Barney described repeated meeting cancellations and what they called an unwillingness by CDFW to answer questions in public forums. "The Commission is very unhappy and disappointed regarding the cancellation of [CDFW] from our last Fish and Game Commission meeting," Ardito said, arguing the refusal to attend shows "disrespect and an indifference to the people of Lassen County." He and other commissioners asked the board to seek quarterly in‑person reports, provide data on confirmed wolf kills, hazing techniques and their effectiveness, and information about reimbursement programs for producers.
Speakers representing local producers described wolves increasingly targeting livestock and called for a 'ladder' of deterrent steps that ranchers and Fish and Game can use, short of or including lethal options in some cases. Commissioners also requested the board copy state officials and supervisors’ direct supervisors when sending letters to urge action.
County staff read a response from CDFW saying staff were unavailable for the commission’s scheduled update, that the department preferred to review submitted questions in advance and have management attend to speak on policy, and that it hoped to provide an update the following month.
The board thanked the commission for the briefing and directed staff to draft a robust letter, with input from the commission, requesting CDFW’s attendance and fuller information; supervisors discussed cc'ing regional and state leaders to increase accountability. No formal changes to county policy were adopted at the meeting.
The exchange occurred under agenda item D2 and included detailed questions commissioners asked CDFW about wolf pack counts, collars, reproduction, historical budgets, and reimbursement program status.
