Siskiyou supervisors declare local emergency over gray wolf depredations, ask state and federal agencies for authority and data sharing

The Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to declare a local state of emergency over increasing gray wolf activity and livestock depredations and to press state and federal wildlife agencies for immediate regulatory changes and improved data sharing.

The resolution, presented by county staff, cites escalating confirmed depredations, local economic impacts on ranching operations and human-safety concerns as cattle return to winter range. It asks the California Fish and Wildlife Commission and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to recognize authority for the Siskiyou County sheriff and the county wolf liaison to investigate suspected depredations, document and confirm livestock kills, and have those determinations “formally considered in authorizing the removal of that animal under clear, lawful and transparent procedures.” The board also asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to coordinate on similar regulatory changes and to provide funding and information-sharing support.

In a presentation to the board, Jim Smith, acting agricultural commissioner, gave the latest local estimates and investigative context. "Estimated number of well backed pack members at the current time are 10 pups, 6 adults," he said, adding that investigators confirmed 21 depredations this year and 104 since 2021. Smith described investigation challenges including lack of access in some cases, carcasses too scavenged to use for verification, and uncounted stress-related losses that do not qualify for indemnity.

Supervisor Harris, who urged more aggressive county action and new local data collection, said the county should "start collecting some of our own data" and pursue DNA testing and mapping to show whether wolves are regularly entering valleys. Harris criticized state-level data sharing and said, "we can't trust California Department of Fish and Wildlife's data" and urged stronger federal engagement. He also said county-collected mapping could show whether wolves are "habituated" to human areas and thus a public-safety risk.

Supporters of the resolution and county staff said mapping and improved reporting templates for producers are immediate priorities. The resolution asks agencies to provide daily GPS cluster data, radio telemetry frequencies to the county wolf liaison, timely review of depredation reports, and sustained financial support for county staff and mitigation efforts.

County officials flagged tradeoffs and constraints. Smith cautioned that a task force might be counterproductive now and stressed the need to coordinate with cattlemen, federal land managers and existing programs. Board members noted jurisdictional complexity because a majority of Siskiyou County is federal land and said grazing-permit administration and enforcement will require state and federal coordination.

The board voted to adopt the resolution and directed staff to convene follow-up meetings on mapping, producer reporting templates and interagency coordination. The resolution will be transmitted to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for consideration.