2006 WACD Policy Book

WILDLIFE

Policy #1: WILD HORSES
WACD recommends that wild horses, given that they are not native wildlife, should not be considered or classified as wildlife. (Adopted – 90, Sunset 2006)

Policy #3: PREBLE’S MOUSE ECONOMIC IMPACT
WACD strongly supports the efforts of the Platte County Commissioners et al to obtain federal and state funding to do the studies necessary to quantify the economic and other effects of the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse and any other species listed or proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act on the region and on the State of Wyoming. (Adopted –02, Sunset - 2006)

Policy #4: WOLF STATUS
WACD strongly supports the WY Game & Fish Commission’s current position of maintaining the predator status of the wolf in Wyoming except within Yellowstone and Teton National Parks, Jackson Hole Elk Refuge and those congressionally designated wilderness areas contiguous to the parks that are determined to be necessary to maintain a minimally viable wolf population as defined in a Wyoming Wolf Management Plan.   (Adopted –02, Sunset - 2006)

Policy #5: WILDLIFE FORAGE COMPENSATION
WACD supports the concept of forage compensation for forage harvested by wildlife on private lands provided that such compensation is made available on an equitable basis to all landowners and is payable from monies collected by or appropriated to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and provided further that the current trophy and big game damage compensation program remains intact as a means of compensation for damage other than the harvesting of forage.
(Adopted –02, Sunset - 2008)

Policy #6: Changes to ESA and implementing regulations/policy
The WACD supports the following 17 points, as adopted by the Western Coalition of Conservation Districts, as it pertains to the Endangered Species Act:

1. Provide full compensation to individuals for current and long-term "takings". Take into consideration cost-benefit analysis and mitigate for adverse economic, social, and cultural needs of the human element (change Section 4(b)(2) of ESA)

2. Consider and evaluate cumulative effects in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Single species management does not consider ecosystem needs and may be detrimental to the well being of other organisms. (add to Section 4)

3. Focus on species recovery by improving ecosystem health, instead of single species listing.  Listing should be incentive based rather than regulatory (add to subsection (c) of Section 4 and a new statement to Section 4)

4. Seek scientific consensus and require mandatory non-governmental, non-bias peer review prior to the listing of any species.

5. Petitioners requesting endangered or threatened species designation should be responsible for costs incurred if a listing is determined to be unwarranted.

6. Require appropriate bonding by any petitioner for a proposed listing of a species.  Bond to be forfeited if a species is determined not warranted to be listed. (add to Section 4(b)).

7. Ensure agency regulations conform to ESA law. (ex. Adhere to critical habitat provision).

8. Allow states to design, control and implement functionally equivalent, state-specific programs for endangered species recovery planning and critical habitat designation with federal funding.

9. Codify applicant status to make clear that permit applicants (consists of any individual seeking a federal permit or license) are provided the opportunity of direct involvement in the Section 7 process. (amend Section 6 and 7(a) and (d)) Eliminate the proposed listing of any sub-species. (Amend Section 3(16))

10. Allow implementation action of any project or activity already underway prior to completion and formal approval of a Recovery Plan (amend Section 7(a))

11. Direct the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce and Interior to streamline the ESA Section 7 consultation process through a tiered programmatic consultation at the national, state and local level.

12. Eliminate the proposed listing of any sub-species. (Amend Section 3(16)

13. Not allow taxpayer funds to be utilized by non-government entities to sue the Government or others (add to Section 1 (c)(4) as new policy and amend Section 11 (9)(g))

14. Enhance the incidental take rules to reduce the need for civil violations penalties.

15. Expedite the delisting process. (add new subsection under Section 4)

16. Revise the "taking" definition to protect private and states property rights in conformance with the United States Constitution. (Section 3(19))

17 Provide for "safe-harbor" provisions to make the act more flexible and to encourage landowners to manage lands in a more "endangered species friendly" manner.

(Adopted –02, Sunset - 2008)