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Endangered Species Act and the Southeast Alaska Wolf Subspecies

This presentation discusses the Endangered Species Act and its potential impact on the Southeast Alaska Wolf Subspecies. It explores the genetic data and scientific research related to the subspecies designation and provides insights on the opposition to the wolf ESA listing. The presentation also highlights current opportunities for ESA reform and the need for stronger opposition from various stakeholders.

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Endangered Species Act and the Southeast Alaska Wolf Subspecies

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  1. Endangered Species Act: Southeast Alaska Wolf Subspecies Presentation to the Alaska Forest Association Matthew A. Cronin, Research Professor University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences 22 October 2015

  2. Wildlife in the Tongass National Forest • No ESA listings but threat of listing goshawk and wolf subspecies influence TLM Plan • Creation of OGR and move to exclusive second growth harvest

  3. Wolf ESA listing • NGO petition and retired ADFG biologist • Focused on POW Island-Big Thorne • Claim wolves on POW are a distinct population segment-DPS • Or • Are a significant portion of the range of the subspecies in Southeast AK and coastal BC • Will apply on private, State, local property

  4. ESA with Federal Nexuswill apply to State Forestand Private Forest land

  5. Wolf • Wolf on ESA list in northern Rocky Mt States until 2011 when delisted by Congress in a rider in a bipartisan budget bill • Wolf subspecies in southeast Alaska and DPS on POW now petitioned for ESA listing. • Proposed Rule due December 2015

  6. Regarding wolves on Prince of Wales Island being a distinct population segment (DPS): “…the wolves in GMU2 … are not particularly differentiated … and our genetic data do not support the proposal that wolves in GMU2 are a distinct population segment.” From Cronin et al. 2015. Funded by ADFG

  7. Regarding a subspecies designation of wolves in southeast Alaska (Alexander Archipelago wolf): “These results indicate that wolves in Southeast Alaska are not a genetically isolated …population, and do not support a subspecies designation of wolves in Southeast Alaska..” Cronin et al. 2015. Funded by ADFG

  8. OtherESA Subspecies recently shown in scientific papers not to be good subspeciesMexican wolf (Cronin)Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Ramey)Coastal California gnatcatcher (Zink)Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Zink)Wood bison (Cronin)

  9. Opposition to wolf ESA listingAFACronin AK Board of Forestry testimony, scientific papers, and replies to disagreement by others in a huge scientific literatureNizich, Rossi & Vincent-Lang,

  10. Need stronger opposition fromADFG, DNR, DCCED, Governor, Legislature, Attorney General, Congressional delegation?

  11. September 2015 Emergency listing petition by environmental groups citing low wolf numbers on POWDenied by FWS because you can’t petition for an emergency listing

  12. Lawsuits after a listing?Some success: Bearded seal Judge said predicting 100 years was too speculativeUsually hard to win because federal courts give deference to federal agencies

  13. ESA criterion is likelihood of EXTINCTIONEndangered vs threatened, significant portion of the range, foreseeable future, and subspecies/DPS/ESU are deceptions from the intent of the ESA to prevent species extinctions

  14. Sage Grouse were not listed because threat of Congress delisting as with the wolf in Northern Rockies in 2011

  15. Current opportunities1. Western Governors AssociationGov Mead of WY ESA initiative2. Multi-State University program for ESA science (W506)3. Senate subcommittee on fish, water & wildlife ESA reform4. Sage grouse not listed (due to threat of Congress delisting)

  16. Senate EPW committee, subcommittee on fish, water, wildlife hearing on ESA reform, 29 Sept. 2015AK Senator Sullivan: States co-authority = Governor/Legislature vetoNE Senator Inhoffe: Farm plowing stopped by ESA beetle. Who decides on best available science?

  17. Action Congress delist species

  18. Change ESA a. States co-authority for ESA decisions-State veto b. No ESA for subspecies or DPS populations c. ESA only applies on federal land. Voluntary programs on private, state, local d. No science monopoly of, or court deference to, federal agencies e. No predictions and models to determine extinction likelihood. Use common sense

  19. Coalition of industry: livestock, farming, mining, timber, oil and gas, sportsmen. Use USDA, counties and Land Grant University credibility. Voluntary programs not regulation.

  20. Questions?

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