"For the first time a federal judge has ordered a stop to the killing of wolves,"
Jon Marvel, Executive Director of Western Watersheds Project

On July 19, 2002 Federal Judge Lynn Winmill ruled that wolves in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) cannot be killed this summer, even if they depredate on livestock This decision, which binds not only the Forest Service, but also the Fish and Wildlife Service is the result of a motion filed by two Idaho-based Alliance Member Groups, Western Watersheds Project (WWP) and the Idaho Conservation League (ICL). This motion was originally intended to close eight grazing allotments in the SNRA to livestock grazing and ultimately protect wolves from future lethal management due to livestock depredations. Even though the decision does not go as far as prohibiting grazing on the allotments, it does require wolves to be protected this year, regardless of possible conflicts with the 4,470 sheep and 2,500 cattle that are allowed to graze on the 28 Forest Service allotments in the SNRA.

In the ruling, Judge Winmill said that the Forest Service, which manages the SNRA, was in violation in its management of wolves in the SNRA. In June, Winmill ruled that the 1972 Organic Act gives wolves and all other wildife precedence over livestock. However, the Forest Service violated the Organic Act by failing to consider whether livestock grazing is "substantially impairing" wolf populations. Judge Winmill added that the Organic Act does not include grazing as a "historic" or "pastoral" value.

Because reintroduced wolves are considered "experimental/non-essential", predations that occur outside the SNRA this summer, could continue to be subject to wolf control action, including lethal actions as have been used in the past. But Winmill said it is in the best interest of everyone to work toward protecting livestock with physical barriers, electronic devices, wildlife guardians and additional sheepherders, therefore reducing the chances of conflicts between wolves and livestock.

Eliminating lethal control in the SNRA region is monumental. In April, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents killed the entire Whitehawk pack of 11 wolves near the SNRA. The White Cloud and Stanley Basin wolf packs were eliminated in 2000 and 2001. In the past three years, at least 27 wolves have been killed or removed from areas in or around the SNRA due to conflicts with livestock. "Every pack in the White Cloud Mountains, some of Idaho's wildest country, have been destroyed," said ICL's Linn Kincannon. "For this summer at least, that won't happen. And hopefully we'll have a new pack in the SNRA before long."

After the Whitehawk pack's destruction, it was feared that the SNRA would once again be void of wolves, however, recently, FWS agents observed other wolves already returning to the area. One wolf was reported in the vicinity of Fourth of July Creek. Another was seen near Stanley. Three others were observed in Pole Creek at the southern end of the Sawtooth Valley. This further proves that wolves will re-establish themselves into areas that are good habitat with sufficient wild prey and terrain that will offer them coverage and protection as well as effective denning areas. The SNRA is a vast tract of land that offers incredible habitat for wolves, however until this protective ruling, it has been known as a "sink" for packs that eventually become victim to lethal control after conflicts with livestock.

"This order is only part of the solution for the SNRA that we expect the court to order," said Laird Lucas, lead attorney for WWP and ICL. "We will be appearing before the judge again in two weeks to talk about a timetable to fully analyze the SNRA allotments and determine whether grazing is substantially impairing wildlife and recreation.

"If the Forest Service doesn't do analyses in all due speed, we will seek similar protection to prevent wolves from being killed next summer."