PORT ANGELES — Gray wolves could be good for Olympic National Park and the local economy, a National Parks Conservation Association staff member told the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce on Monday.
David Graves, the group’s northwest program manager, said the loss of the predator has lead to higher bank erosion along the Hoh River due to overfeeding by elk populations.
Wolves could keep that problem in check, he said, while discussing the state’s proposed wolf management plan.
The plan, which the state Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider for approval in December, aims to manage the state’s emerging wolf population as they repopulate through natural migration in central and eastern Washington.
It does not call for the forced reintroduction of wolves from Canada or nearby states.
‘Translocation’
But it does leave the door open to “translocation”— transplanting wolves from one part of the state to another — the most likely means for the predator to reach the North Olympic Peninsula.
That wouldn’t happen for several years, if at all, and would require an intensive public comment and hearing period, officials have said.
The last wolf was reportedly seen on the Peninsula in the 1950s, Graves said.
While noting that transplanting wolves would require a lengthy public comment period, Graves said that Peninsula pocketbooks, and not just the ecosystem, could benefit.
‘Wolf tourism’
Pointing to the $35 million generated annually by “wolf tourism” in Yellowstone National Park, he said, “It’s a possibility that there could be an economic benefit from wolf transplantation.”
The proposed plan would allow ranchers to be compensated for lost livestock if it can be proven that a wolf killed it, Graves said.
There are currently five confirmed wolf packs in the state, located in the Cascade mountains and northeastern Washington.
They have migrated into Washington state from other states.
Graves said he supports the plan, but he doesn’t think it’s perfect.
“By no means is everyone happy with this plan,” he said, “which might make it a good plan.”
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.