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POSITION STATEMENTS OF THE UTAH WOLF FORUM

· The Utah Wolf Forum is not working towards an active reintroduction program in Utah; rather we intend to encourage the natural recolonization of this species in Utah, which is already underway.

· The Utah Wolf Forum supports the Defenders of Wildlife Compensation Program, which has recently been extended to Utah. As such, we encourage Forum member groups and individuals to make contributions to the DOW Compensation Fund.

· The Utah Wolf Forum supports the delisting of the wolf from the Threatened and Endangered Species List when there is biological evidence to support delisting, and when Utah has a responsible and science-driven wolf management plan in place.

· It is the position of the Utah Wolf Forum that the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources needs to immediately start working on a wolf management plan for the state, based on sound science and drawing on the concerns and recommendations of a balanced and diverse group of stakeholders and advisors, including scientists, conservationists, and the interested public. The plan is necessary in the event of downlisting and perhaps delisting of the species under the ESA in the foreseeable future.

· The Utah Wolf Forum does not believe that the Regional Advisory Councils (RAC) are adequate or appropriate as processes to solicit public input on wolf management.

· The Utah Wolf Forum supports the scientific wolf report recently published by a group of researchers at Utah State University. It’s good science, it’s a good first step, and it will provide sound guidance for the Division of Wildlife Resources as they write a wolf management plan for Utah.

· The Utah Wolf Forum supports a core/corridor framework for protecting suitable habitat and native ecosystems important for the genetic health of wolves.

· The Utah Wolf Forum supports professional control of depredating wolves.

(as decided at the 1/27 mtg, a position statement re: recreational or trophy hunting of wolves as a mgt tool will be taken up at the 2/17 mtg)

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