URA^FIKES APPENDIX t 



APPENDIX 8 



DRAFT MFWP PUBLIC INFORMATION PLAN 



September 2001 



INTRODUCTION 



Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will soon take on management responsibility for the state's gray wolf population. 



An accepted and approved Montana Wolf Management Plan will allow MI^P to obtain local management of 

 wolves. The plan must be accepted and approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and by the people of 

 Montana. 



An estimated 40 breeding wolf packs exist in the Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming recovery areas. A federal plan 

 currently calls for establishing 10 packs in each of the three areas for three years before delisting can occur. Federal 

 wolf managers, however, say that the biological intent of the recovery plan could also be met with a total of 30 

 packs evenly distributed in the tri-state area. A total of 30 packs for three years could trigger delisting, a process 

 that could begin in 2003. 



Once delisted the wolves will come under state management. 



MFWP is preparing now to answer questions that will emerge as the state moves toward developing a balanced wolf 

 management plan for Montana. Because wolf management procedures will be closely examined and 

 arouse controversy, MFWP seeks to build a balanced management approach that acknowledges the 

 complexity of the political, social and environmental factors associated with wolves and their 

 management. 



Basic questions Montanans and others will expect to have answered include: 

 How will wolves be managed? 

 What areas will wolves be permitted to inhabit? 

 Should Montanans be concerned about public safety? 

 Who will fund wolf management in Montana? 

 What impacts will wolves have on wildlife populations? 

 What impacts will wolves have on livestock? 



This draft public information plan will serve as MFWP's initial guide as it prepares to inform the public in Montana 

 and across the nation about gray wolf management in Montana. 



OBJECTIVES 



1 . Increase public awareness of the gray wolf and its recovery in Montana and increase awareness that once 

 delisted the gray wolf will come under state management. 



Answer the following questions: 



• What is a gray wolf? 



• Where are gray wolves found? 



• Why is MFWP going to manage wolves? 



• How will wolves impact wildlife? 



• How will wolves impact livestock? 



• What are the legal aspects of state-run wolf management? 



• What is being done to prepare Montanans for state management of wolves? 



• How can the public participate? 



2. Increase awareness of the status of the gray wolf in Montana, the delisting process and delisting milestones. 



