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WDFW outlines winter wolf surveys, rulemaking timetable and flags compensation funding limits
Summary
Department of Fish & Wildlife said winter wolf surveys and the annual wolf report are underway, described a fast‑moving rulemaking schedule for compensation reforms (CR‑102 draft Feb. 4; public posting Feb. 18–Mar. 16; commission hearing Mar. 13), and confirmed the state's annual wolf compensation appropriation is $50,000, prompting WAG members to request clearer claims and payout data.
Shubh Bhattacharjee and WDFW staff updated the Wolf Advisory Group on monitoring, rulemaking and compensation. Biologists will begin winter aerial and track surveys to generate a minimum count of wolves and update the annual wolf report; WDFW plans to present the annual report to the Fish and Wildlife Commission on April 18.
On administrative rulemaking, Bhattacharjee said a draft CR‑102 rule will be shared with WAG on Feb. 4, followed by a briefing to the wildlife commission committee on Feb. 12; the department will publicly post the draft on Feb. 18, open a public comment period through March 16, and the full commission will hear the item March 13 in Walla Walla.
Bhattacharjee also summarized proposed proviso language related to a conflict mitigation pilot: a previously discussed $200,000 line was part of a larger $780,000 subsection but the governor's office circulated revised language; the funding and language remain subject to legislative action during the session.
Members pressed for transparency on compensation claims and payments after several attendees said producers report long waits and offers that did not match claimed amounts. WDFW staff said the state's annual appropriation for wolf livestock compensation is $50,000 per fiscal year and added that the program historically expected federal Farm Service Agency (FSA) funds to cover a substantial portion of losses; FSA assistance has not been available in recent years, increasing pressure on state funds. WAG requested an annual consolidated accounting of claims received, paid amounts, outstanding obligations and policy limits, which WDFW said it will prepare for future meetings.
Shubh and staff also noted the Sharman Pack litigation is ongoing with a hearing scheduled for Jan. 16, and that DFW coordinates data for the annual wolf report with tribal biologists, National Park Service and USFWS partners.
