CUM'IKK 1: PURPOSE AM) NhliU tOK ACTION 



share funding among state, federal, and private entities. 



act upon threatening wolf-human encounters consistent with black bear and mountain lion 

 management guidelines. 



enhance deer and elk populations to support wolf populations, maintain recreational and viewing 

 opportunities, and reduce the potential for livestock depredation. 



use hunting and trapping to manage increasing wolf numbers in a manner that will sustain wolf 

 populations and preclude reclassification under federal law. 



recognize that tolerance for wolves on private property is fundamental to wolf population recovery 

 and range expansion. 



compensate livestock owners for losses at fair market value but do not use FWP funds to compensate 

 depredation losses. 



provide incentives to livestock producers who use best management practices to decrease 

 wolf/livestock conflicts. 



allow livestock owners to address wolf depredation problems on private lands as wolf numbers 

 increase. 



use wolf numbers to address the management of wolf depredations on livestock. When wolf numbers 

 are low, more conservative methods should be applied; more aggressive control methods should be 

 applied as wolf numbers increase. 



At the end of 2000, FWP officials characterized the advisory council's report as the first step toward 

 acquiring wolf management responsibilities from the federal government. The group's work was aimed 

 directly at helping to determine how to balance wolf numbers with the deer and elk they prey upon, 

 address conflicts with livestock operations, ensure human safety, and how Montana's wolf management 

 responsibilities should be funded. 



With the advisory council's report in hand. Gov. Judy Martz directed FWP to use it to frame a wolf 

 management plan. In response, FWP released the "Montana Wolf Conservation and Management 

 Planning Document" in January 2002 (Appendix 1 ). While the 1 17-page planning document reflected 

 what a state wolf management plan could resemble if it were based on the council's work and 

 recommendations, FWP still needed to hear from others and explore various alternatives before adopting 

 a management plan in full compliance with the legal requirements of MEPA. 



In January 2002, FWP mailed about 1,000 post cards announcing: (I) the completion of the Montana 

 Wolf Conservation and Management Planning Document; and (2) that an environmental review process 

 was set to began. Many more announcements were sent via E-mail, while other citizens were alerted 

 through FWP news releases and by visiting FWP's website www.fwp.state.mt.us . 



Using this document as a basis for discussion, FWP opened the "scoping" comment period for its wolf 

 management EIS on Feb. 25, 2002 by asking the public to identify issues and concerns about a state- 

 sponsored wolf management program. The public was invited to provide comments to FWP directly at a 

 series of community work sessions held throughout the state in March-April 2002. In addition, FWP 

 invited the public to submit comments in writing or electronically. 



