CHAFrBR 3: Al/ri'RNAriVES 



CHAPTERS: ALTERNATIVES 



This chapter describes five alternatives and outlines how each alternative addresses issues identified by 

 the public. FWP's preferred alternative is also described. A summary is included at the end of the 

 chapter (Table 30). 



Introduction 



FWP initiated this EIS to involve all Montanans in the wolf planning process and to ensure full 

 compliance with MEPA. Because of the significant number of comments taken during the scoping 

 period, FWP consulted with the Wolf Management Advisory Council prior to finalizing the alternatives 

 presented in this EIS. In January 2003, FWP and the council discussed and examined new information 

 and a summary of public comments. The council discussed several new issues that arose during the 

 scoping process, revisited some issues it had previously discussed, and formally endorsed several updates 

 to their original planning document. The updates are incorporated into this document. 



Ultimately, FWP crafted a total of five alternatives. One alternative suggests that FWP would not 

 develop and adopt a state wolf management program. Three alternatives, presenting a spectrum of 

 approaches, suggest that FWP should adopt a management program. One of these three is the work of the 

 council. The fifth alternative presents a "contingency," or interim plan that FWP would consider 

 implementing if delisting were delayed. Table 21 summarizes the main scoping issues and indicates 

 which issues were significant enough to drive creation of the alternatives and which issues were treated 

 differently in each alternative. 



Table 21 . Issues identified by the public (in the order of their frequency), whether or not the issue drove 

 creation of a separate alternative, and whether the issue is treated differently in each alternative. 



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