Looks like somethins brewin in Oregon too...

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Contact: Ann Snyder 503-872-5264, Ext. 5363
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us Fax: 503-872-5700

For Immediate Release Thursday, October 31, 2002

Public Invited to Wolf Town Hall Meetings

PORTLAND - The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will host 14 town hall
meetings throughout the state in November and December to hear the thoughts,
concerns and comments of Oregonians about wolves entering the state.

The comments recorded at the meetings will be provided to the Oregon Fish
and Wildlife Commission for consideration. The Commission is the rule-making
body for ODFW. The seven-member Commission has heard from experts in the
past several months about the potential for wolves to become established in
Oregon. The Commission now wants to hear from local residents to ensure that
all opinions have been gathered.

Currently, no wolves are confirmed to live in Oregon. However, three wolves
were found in Oregon in 1999 and 2000. One radio-collared wolf was returned
to Idaho, one was hit by a vehicle and died in May 2000, and one was shot in
October 2000. Biologists expect all three were dispersing from established
packs in Idaho. Biologists also have told the Commission that more wolves
are likely to arrive in Oregon. Oregon has no plans to actively reintroduce
wolves into the state.

Wolves that enter the state from Idaho's packs are protected under both the
state and federal endangered species acts. The Oregon Legislature is the
only entity with authority to change the Oregon Endangered Species Act. The
Commission, however, has the authority to add or remove species from the
state list of threatened and endangered species.

Each Wolf Town Hall Meeting will open with a short introductory presentation
about the history of wolves in Oregon, their current biological and legal
status, and the issues surrounding their migration into Oregon. Meeting
participants then will have the opportunity to voice their comments and
concerns about wolves in Oregon to any of several facilitators who will be
available to record all comments. Participants also may choose to submit
written comments on forms that will be available at each meeting. Some
educational materials about wolves will be available at the meetings.

All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The town
hall meetings are scheduled for the following locations and dates:

-Pendleton: Tuesday, Nov. 12, Pendleton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate;
-LaGrande: Wednesday, Nov. 13, Eastern Oregon University, Hoke Hall, Room
309, One University Blvd.;
-Baker City: Monday, Nov. 18, Sun Ridge Inn, One Sun Ridge Lane;
-John Day: Tuesday, Nov. 19, Malheur National Forest Headquarters, 431
Patterson Bridge Road;
-Bend: Wednesday, Nov. 20, National Guard Armory Drill Room, 875 Southwest
Simpson Ave.;
-The Dalles: Thursday, Nov. 21, Wahtonka High School, 3601 W. 10th St.;
-Medford: Tuesday, Dec. 3, North Medford High School, 1900 N. Keeneway;
-Klamath Falls: Wednesday, Dec. 4, Klamath County Fairgrounds, Exhibit Hall
#2, 3531 S. 6th St.;
-Burns: Thursday, Dec. 5, Harney County Senior Center, 17 S. Alder;
-Eugene: Monday, Dec. 9, Lane Community College, Forum and Science
Buildings, 4000 E. 30th Ave.;
-Roseburg: Tuesday, Dec. 10, Umpqua Community College, Whipple Theater
Building, 1140 College Road;
-Salem: Wednesday, Dec. 11, Claggett Creek Middle School, 1810 Alder St.
N.E.;
-Portland: Tuesday, Dec. 17, World Forestry Center, Miller Hall, 4033 S.W.
Canyon Road;
-Coos Bay: Wednesday, Dec. 18, Southwestern Oregon Community College, Eden
Hall, 2988 Newmark Ave.

More information about wolves will be posted to the ODFW Web site at
www.dfw.state.or.us by Nov. 1, 2002.

###


Information and Education Section
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 872-5264 ext 5528