Wolf compensation plan

Moving Towards Compensation An Overview of the Changing Wolf Policy in California

by Victoria Rodriguez for the California Cattlemen’s Foundation

Since OR-7 first entered California from Oregon in 2011, wolf activity in California has steadily increased. California currently has four established breeding packs, at least three collared solitary wolves and an unknown number of uncollared wolves. As wolf populations have increased, so have the instances of wolf/livestock conflict as depredation rates continue to increase. California currently does not have an established depredation compensation plan to compensate ranchers for the direct and indirect losses that occur due to wolf presence.

This article serves as an update on the types of compensation that are used in other states that have existing compensation plans, on the active development of a California compensation plan and on what ranchers can expect moving forward.

This article is adapted in part from materials provided by the University of California Cooperative Extension.

Compensation as a Mitigation Tool

In an attempt to adequately compensate ranchers for the losses that they endure due to wolf presence and depredation, states have created compensation plans for direct losses that are confirmed wolf predations, or in some instances probable wolf predations, as well as for indirect losses such as decreased conception rates and lower weight gains due to wolf presence.

Several western states have developed compensation programs to offset the impact of livestock killed by wolves (and other predators, in some cases). Depending on the program, direct compensation has been provided for both confirmed and probable wolf depredations. Direct compensation provides ranchers with a reimbursement that is a set rate, usually reflective of prices released by United State Department of Agriculture’s Ag Marketing Services. Examples of direct compensation programs include programs such as those in Washington and Montana.

In addition to direct compensation, some models also provide compensation through a pay-for-presence program. Typically, pay-for-presence programs are designed to compensate livestock producers for indirect losses associated with wolves in exchange for giving up the ability to use lethal control except in extreme circumstances. Since lethal control is not an option in California due to gray wolves being fully protected under the California Endangered Species Act, such a program would focus more on acknowledging the indirect losses associated with stress due to proximity to known wolf activity including lower weight gains, lower conception rates and higher labor costs. An example of pay-for-presence programs includes programs such as the Mexican Gray Wolf program in New Mexico.

CDFW Funding for Compensation and Deterrence

California’s 2021-22 state budget included $3 million to develop a pilot program for compensating ranchers for depredations and indirect impacts associated with wolves. These funds must be spent by June 30, 2026. The state budget also includes an additional $7 million to help reduce wildlife conflict, which could fund on-ranch, nonlethal predator protection tools for wolves as well as other predators. The program and funds will be administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

CDFW is currently creating an interim program that will retroactively compensate producers for confirmed direct losses that have occurred since Sept. 23, 2021 (when funding was authorized). There is no set timeline for this interim program to be released, though it is anticipated to be released soon. This interim program will be replaced with the program developed by the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) Work Group.

RCRC is facilitating a work group that will develop mechanisms for a more comprehensive pilot compensation program. This work group includes representatives from producer organizations such as the California Cattlemen’s Association and California Cattlemen’s Foundation, individual ranchers, local elected officials, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and CDFW, among others.

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A drafting subcommittee is developing a draft compensation program that can include compensation for direct depredation, wolf-presence related impacts and funding for compensation/reimbursement for non-lethal depredation tools.

Rancher input during the drafting process is crucial, and CCA and the California Cattlemen’s Foundation have been able to facilitate opportunities for direct rancher input on this program. In addition to having representatives participating in the work group process, ranchers have provided priorities and direction via locally organized discussions facilitated by UCCE and rancher-led organizations such as CCA and the Foundation. Additionally, UC Davis and producer organizations hosted a jointregional meeting last fall for producers from wolf-affected areas to discuss key components of a compensation program.

CCA and the Foundation recognize that wolf/livestock conflict is an ongoing and increasing issue that often results in losses and frustration. Moving forward, CCA and other rancher-led organizations such as the Foundation will continue to advocate for an effective and fair compensation program that results in the best possible outcome for those affected by wolf presence. Though there is currently no official timeline on the development of a California compensation program, CCA will continue to provide members with timely updates as they arise. For any wolf-related questions, please contact Victoria Rodriguez at the Foundation at Victoria@calcattle.org.

FROM THE CHANGING SEASONS

Next Steps

Here are some of the next steps that ranchers can anticipate, participate in and follow. • Discussions about the specifics of the pilot compensation program are in process and producer input is valuable. Contact your producer organization representatives for specific questions or input. • The RCRC Drafting

Subcommittee will develop a draft compensation program to be reviewed by the full RCRC Work

Group. Once the work group is in agreement, the compensation program will be forwarded to CDFW to consider for formal adoption. • Research groups such as

UCCE will continue to conduct research on gray wolves in California to better aid the state and stakeholders in developing an effective compensation program moving forward.

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