What role does the federal government have in the development of Washington’s wolf plan?
Because wolves are federally listed as endangered throughout Washington, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is currently the lead management authority over wolves in the state. In this role, the USFWS did not ask or require that WDFW develop a wolf conservation and management plan for Washington. Instead, WDFW initiated preparation of the plan in anticipation of wolves becoming federally delisted in part or all of the state, which will transfer management responsibility for the species to WDFW. Funding for development of the plan comes from federal wildlife grants administered by the USFWS, which WDFW may spend as it wishes on high priority species and projects. In 2010, WDFW also received $15,000 from the USFWS that was part of a larger grant to help western states establish compensation programs for wolf depredation and related costs.
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