Commissioners debate Wallowa Countys wolf-resolution request; opt for sympathy letter rather than statewide endorsement
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Summary
Deschutes County commissioners heard public testimony about livestock losses in northeastern Oregon and discussed whether to adopt or endorse Wallowa Countys resolution on wolf-management policy; commissioners generally favored sending a letter expressing sympathy and concern rather than adopting Wallowas specific requests statewide.
Commissioners considered an Eastern Oregon countiesresolution initiated by Wallowa County that urges changes in wolf-management policy to address ranching losses.
Public commenters and at least one commissioner described substantial livestock losses and community distress in northeastern Oregon; one speaker (S5) urged the board to support Wallowa Countys resolution. Other commissioners and staff cautioned that Deschutes County falls in a different management context—biologists and commissioners said Deschutes does not currently meet the population thresholds or habitat overlap that have driven the more aggressive measures requested by Wallowa County.
After discussion, the board agreed it would be appropriate to send a letter to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission expressing sympathy for Wallowa Countys situation and acknowledging those communitiesconcerns, rather than endorsing a wholesale change to the states wolf-management plan on behalf of Deschutes County.
Next steps: staff will prepare a letter expressing sympathy and the countys willingness to engage on depredation-prevention funding or other non-policy advocacy options; no formal endorsement of specific Wallowa proposals was adopted.
