Keep Oregon Wildlife Plans Updated and Science-Based

Posted on 2011-03-09

This winter, Big Wildlife discovered that the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has been using a 20 year-old management plan for bears. ODFW was legally required to update the plan thirteen years ago, but never did. When Big Wildlife threatened to sue the agency for their negligence, ODFW simply eliminated their own rule in a backroom meeting, despite a provision in the Oregon Endangered Species Act requiring mandatory reviews of wildlife management plans. But ODFW isn't stopping there. On March 11, 2011 the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will be asked to enact rules recommended by ODFW to abolish the current mandatory rules which require ODFW to review and revise each of 7 species Management Plans every 5 years. Likely this rush to rid ODFW of the requirement to update management plans was based on Big Wildlife's discovery regarding black bears and the fact that the cougar plan is scheduled for revision by April 2011. If you think abandoning science for these seven plans is a bad idea, or if you think using outdated plans that don't reflect the best current science and research is irresponsible, please send your email comes to the Game Program Coordinator at thomas.l.thornton@state.or.us.