Meeting sparks differing calls for caribou protections
<p>The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s meeting on the southern Selkirk Mountains caribou sparked differing opinions on proections, with some calling for an expansion and others calling for them to be rolled back. (Photo by WAYNE WAKKININ, Idaho Fish & Game)</p>
SANDPOINT — Some urged the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on Wednesday to roll back protections for southern Selkirk Mountains caribou, while others called for them to be expanded.
The agency’s public hearing on a proposal to amend its listing under the Endangered Species Act was relatively well-attended, but few opted to voice their remarks.
Only six people spoke during the hearing, the majority of whom called on Fish & Wildlife to strike the mammal from the list. Just two people spoke in favor of keeping them on list and broadening protections.
The Pacific Legal Foundation petitioned on behalf of the Idaho State Snowmobile Association and Bonner County petitioned to de-list woodland caribou in northern Idaho and northeastern Washington in 2012. The petitioners argued the heard wasn’t legally or biologically distinct enough from other caribou in North America to justify listing.
Fish & Wildlife responded to the petition by down-listing caribou from endangered to threatened, but broadened their distinct population segment to include caribou populations deep into British Columbia.
Only one of the populations, known as the trans-boundary herd, moves across the international border. There are 18 caribou in that herd, according Fish & Wildlife.
“Now we have just one single pocket remaining,” said Chuck Sheroke, who urged the agency to restore the 300,000-acre critical habitat designation that had been reduced to 30,000 acres.
Jane Fritz opposed the downlisting and pointed out that Canada is considering strengthening protections under its Species At Risk Act.
“It behooves us to do whatever we can to protect them,” she said.
Bonner County Commissioner Mike Nielsen contended that federal mismanagement of grizzly bear and wolves were to blame for dwindling caribou, not snowmobile activity. He also argued that broadening the population segment was merely a dilatory move.
“This appears to be another red herring tactic to further delay resolving this matter,” said Nielsen.
Commissioner Glen Bailey maintained that the population re-designation was contrary to the Endangered Species Act and that the U.S. Forest Service could work with the county to protect caribou without burdening access.
A study commissioned by ISSA contends the restrictions caused a loss of 25 percent of winter jobs at Priest lake and took a $21.5 million toll on the regional economy.
“It affects the economic and recreational opportunities of our whole county,” said Commission Chairman Cary Kelly.
The public comment period remains open until Aug. 6. A final rule on the listing amendment is expected in May 2015.