In November, Colorado constituents voted in favor of controversial ballot measure Proposition 114 to introduce gray wolves to the state. It was a close vote, with 50.9 percent of voters voting for introduction. The ballot measure directed the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission (CPWC) to develop a restoration plan to introduce wolves to the state by the end of 2023.
In early January, the gray wolf was federally delisted from the endangered species list, restoring management to each state. The decision has caused the ire of many conservation and environmental groups, and there is already much litigation being developed.
If the wolf is relisted as a result of impending litigation and development of a wolf introduction plan proceeds, CPWC will work closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to determine management. If the gray wolf remains federally delisted, the potential for the wolf to be relisted will be a factor in management flexibility.
Public involvement
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has developed a proposed plan for involving the public with drafting the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan. Staff members from six western state Wildlife Management agencies assisted with developing a strategy for public involvement.
CPWC is primarily in charge of the plan development, and has three key responsibilities: consider options for public involvement; receive input from CPW staff, public, stakeholders and technical experts; and approve the final plan. The commission will be split into two groups: a technical working group and a stakeholder advisory group.
The technical working group will provide objective, science-based information to help develop the wolf plan. Members of the committee may include individuals from CPW, USFWS, USDA, Bureau of Land Management, Tribes, and other state and federal agencies.
The stakeholder advisory group will support development of a plan by offering consensus recommendations with dissenting views. Appointments to the group will be made following an application and review process by CPW. Group members may include individuals such as livestock producers, wolf advocates, local/county government officials, environmentalists, academics, and others. Members will represent themselves and not organizations.
“When public opinions and values are not taken into consideration, unintended consequences can occur leading to mistrust, disregard for process outcomes, and intentional derailment,” read a memo to CPWC from CPW Director Dan Prenzlow.
Timeline
Public involvement in the plan will occur in two phases. The first phase will be focused on increasing public awareness and obtaining input through an education and listening tour. Phase Two will be the process to develop the plan.
Phase One will take place from January to this summer. CPW has developed educational materials to promote public engagement. After a January presentation, a planning process will be developed by CPW and PWC, which should be finalized by March. In March, an external facilitator will be hired to facilitate stakeholder and public involvement throughout the planning process.
From February to May, CPW will hold virtual meetings to share information with the public and stakeholders and provide opportunities for public input. The two groups within CPWC, the technical working group and stakeholder advisory group, will also conduct their work from February through May.
In Phase Two, the technical working group will provide and consider scientific information and meeting reports will be made available to the public. These meetings will take place from June through the fall of 2023. At the same time, the stakeholder advisory group will consider technical information and provide recommendations. Meeting reports will also be made available to the public.
In the 2021-2022 winter, a survey will be conducted to gather data on general population opinions of wolf conservation. Results will be presented to the two working groups. Following the survey, public outreach will provide opportunities on draft input through the spring of 2022.
CPWC will offer public meeting and comment opportunities throughout the entire planning process and will make the final decision on the Restoration and Management Plan in December 2023.
January meeting
CPWC held a two-day meeting in mid-January, during which they reviewed the status and biology of the gray wolf, and the timeline for developing a management plan. The commission also reviewed the legal duties required under Prop 114.
Under the proposition, the commission must develop a plan to restore and manage wolves in a way that also resolves conflicts with ranching and farming interests. This includes distributing state funds to address wolf-livestock conflicts.
The plan must also include the following details:
• Selection of donor populations of wolves;
• Place, manner and schedule of reintroductions;
• Actions necessary or beneficial for maintaining a self-sustaining population; and
• Details for distributing state funds to compensate for livestock losses.
The plan must not impose any restrictions on use of land, water or resources on private landowners. — Anna Miller, WLJ editor
