Draft Environmental Assessment for the Management of Wolf Conflicts
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DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF WOLF CONFLICTS AND DEPREDATING WOLVES IN MICHIGAN Prepared by: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE WILDLIFE SERVICES in cooperation with UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 2803 Jolly Road, Suite 100 Okemos, MI 48864 January 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY OF PROPOSED ACTION.................................................................................................iii ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS.........................................................................................................iv CHAPTER 1: PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION......................................................................1 1.0 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................1 1.1 PURPOSE..............................................................................................................................2 1.2 NEED FOR WOLF DAMAGE MANAGEMENT IN MICHIGAN.........................................2 1.3 BACKGROUND....................................................................................................................3 1.3.1 Wolf Distribution and Classification - General................................................................3 1.3.2 Wolves in Michigan........................................................................................................4 1.3.3 Benefits of Wolves.........................................................................................................6 1.3.4 Wolf Predation on Livestock and Pets.............................................................................7 1.3.5 Other Types of Wolf Conflicts........................................................................................8 1.3.6 Wildlife Services and Michigan Department of Natural Resources Efforts to Reduce Wolf Damage in Michigan............................................................................................10 1.3.7 Wolf Ecology...............................................................................................................11 1.4 SCOPE OF THIS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT.......................................................13 1.4.1 Actions Analyzed.........................................................................................................13 1.4.2 Native American Lands and Tribes...............................................................................14 1.4.3 Period for which this EA is Valid..................................................................................15 1.4.4 Site Specificity.............................................................................................................15 1.4.5 Public Involvement/Notification...................................................................................16 1.5 DECISION TO BE MADE...................................................................................................16 1.6 OBJECTIVES FOR THE WILDLIFE DAMAGE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.................17 1.7 RELATIONSHIP OF THIS EA TO OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS..............17 1.7.1 ADC Programmatic EIS...............................................................................................17 1.7.2 USDA-APHIS-WS/USFWS Biological Opinion...........................................................17 1.7.3 USDA-APHIS-Michigan WS/USFWS Biological Assessment......................................17 1.7.4 USDA-APHIS-Michigan WS/MDNR Biological Assessment.......................................17 1.7.5 USFWS Eastern Timber Wolf Recovery Plan...............................................................17 1.7.6 Michigan Gray Wolf Recovery and Management Plan (MGWRMP).............................18 1.7.7 Endangered Species Cooperative Agreement Between the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.........................................18 1.8 AUTHORITY AND COMPLIANCE....................................................................................18 1.8.1 Agencies involved in WDM in Michigan......................................................................18 1.8.2 Compliance with Federal and State Statutes..................................................................21 CHAPTER 2: ISSUES..........................................................................................................................24 2.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................24 2.1 ISSUES CONSIDERED IN DETAIL IN CHAPTER 4.........................................................24 2.1.1 Effects on Wolf Populations in Michigan......................................................................24 2.1.2 Effects on Non-target Species Populations, Including Threatened and Endangered Species.........................................................................................................................24 2.1.3 Effects on public safety and pet health and safety..........................................................25 2.1.4 Humaneness of methods to be used...............................................................................26 2.1.5 Sociological Issues Including Impacts on Aesthetic Values...........................................27 2.2 ISSUES NOT CONSIDERED IN DETAIL AND RATIONALE FOR EXCLUSION............29 2.2.1 Wildlife Services’ Impacts on Michigan’s Biodiversity.................................................29 2.2.2 Wolf Damage Should be Managed by Hunters and Trappers.........................................29 2.2.3 Appropriateness of Preparing an EA Instead of an EIS for Such a Large Area...............30 2.2.4 How can killing wolves benefit the recovery of the species?.........................................30 i CHAPTER 3: ALTERNATIVES..........................................................................................................33 3.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................33 3.1 DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES.................................................................................35 3.1.1 Alternative 1 - Non-lethal WDM Only..........................................................................35 3.1.2 Alternative 2 - Integrated WDM (No Action/ Proposed Action)....................................35 3.1.3 Alternative 3 - Technical Assistance Only.....................................................................37 3.1.4 Alternative 4 - No WS WDM in Michigan....................................................................38 3.2 WOLF DAMAGE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND METHODOLOGIES.................38 3.2.1 Integrated Wildlife Damage Management.....................................................................38 3.2.2 Integrated WDM Strategies...........................................................................................39 3.2.3 Wildlife Services Decision Model used for Decision Making........................................40 3.2.4 Local Decision Making Process....................................................................................41 3.3 WOLF DAMAGE MANAGEMENT METHODS.................................................................41 3.3.1 Non-Lethal Methods Available to All Without a USFWS Permit..................................41 3.3.2 Non-lethal Methods Available without Federal Permits for States with Cooperative Conservation Agreements with the USFWS..................................................................43 3.3.3 Non-lethal Methods which Require Permits from the USFWS......................................44 3.3.4 Lethal Methods.............................................................................................................44 3.4 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT NOT IN DETAIL, WITH RATIONALE................45 3.4.1 Bounties.......................................................................................................................45 3.4.2 Eradication and Suppression.........................................................................................46 3.4.3 Damage Management through Birth Control.................................................................46 3.4.4 Non-lethal before Lethal...............................................................................................47 3.4.5 Provide Funding for Damage Prevention Supplies and Equipment................................47 3.4.6 Lethal Only Program....................................................................................................47 3.5 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR WILDLIFE DAMAGE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES.....................................................................................................................48 CHAPTER 4: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES......................................................................52 4.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................52 4.1 SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL CONCERNS, RESOURCE USE AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS............................................................................................................................52 4.1.1 Social and Recreational Concerns.................................................................................52 4.1.2 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources..............................................52