Dear Wildlanders,
It’s been a heck of a month and we wanted to give you some important updates on wildland issues happening in our area.
A federal judge has ruled that the state of Idaho must take measures to stop the illegal trapping of Canada lynx in the Panhandle and Clearwater regions. In response to a lawsuit filed by allies and FOC, the court gave Idaho 90-days to propose restrictions that will ensure this threatened species is no longer trapped, killed, injured, or released from traps or snares. We hope this will equate to further recovery of the short-tailed and long-legged cat!
The US Fish & Wildlife Service has concluded that the northern Rockies fisher may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. Severely impacted by trapping and logging of old-growth forests over the years, this slender, bushy-tailed member of the weasel family is now largely constrained to wildlands along the Idaho/Montana border. The agency will now begin a 12-month status review of the species, before issuing a final decision. We will keep you informed.
If you have not heard by now, the Idaho Fish & Game Department illegally captured and collared four wolves in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. The department claims the “accidental” collaring occurred due to a miscommunication between staff and one of the pilots. Wilderness Watch, Western Watersheds Project and FOC are moving forward with our lawsuit against the US Forest Service for their approval of 120-helicopter landings to collar elk in the same Wilderness.
The armed militia take-over of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon is a tragedy. The only thing that may be worse is the pathetic non-response of the federal government and failing to protect citizens, enforce laws and arrest Ammon Bundy and others. Please consider signing and circulating this petition calling on the Obama Administration to immediately end the illegal occupation. A big thank you to all the folks that rallied and spoke on behalf of our public lands heritage this week!
Brett Haverstick
Education & Outreach Director