February 27, 2004

 

General Timeline and Process Outline for the Development of a Colorado Wolf Management Plan

 

March, 2004:  A series of public meetings will be held around the state.  These meetings are designed to share information and seek input from interested individuals and organizations. Issues that should be addressed in a wolf management plan will evolve from these discussions.

 

In addition, during the month of March, the Division will seek nominations from individuals wishing to serve on the workgroup that will develop a draft management plan.  This workgroup will include members from each of the following categories: livestock producers; environmental/wildlife advocacy; sportsmen; local governments; and professional wildlife biologists. In addition, the following agencies will designate members of the working group: federal agencies; CDOW; and the Colorado Department of Agriculture.  The closing date for these nominations will be March 31, 2004. Nomination forms will be available at all of the public meetings, and can be accessed from the DOW website. The Director of the Colorado Division of Wildlife will chose the public members of this group from the nominations that are received.

 

April-August, 2004:  The workgroup will conduct as many meetings as they feel are necessary to draft a proposed management plan. An outside consultant group will assist with this process.

 

September-October, 2004:  The draft will be made available for public comment for a 60 day period.  Another series of public meetings will be held around the state. Other opportunities to comment will include written submissions and online responses to the Division of Wildlife.

 

November-December, 2004:  Public input will be considered in development of the final paper that is submitted to the Director of the Colorado Division of Wildlife for review and approval.

 

Additional information about this topic may be found at the following websites:

-http://wildlife.state.co.us/species_cons/GrayWolf/, and

-http://midwest.fws.gov/wolf/fnl-rule/status-map.pdf

 

Please feel free to contact any of the following Division personnel:

Pam Wagner             303-291-7338                       pam.wagner@state.co.us

Gary Skiba                 303-291-7466                       gary.skiba@state.co.us

Kim Burgess              303-291-7278                       kim.burgess@state.co.us