| Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
The Utah Foundation has issued a new research brief on wolves in the West and Utah’s response.
The brief notes that in 2003, legislators passed HJR 12 asking the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) to create a wildlife resource plan that sets out specific management goals for when wolves potentially establish a significant presence in Utah. The DWR established the Wolf Working Group (WWG) in the summer of 2003 to draft a statewide wolf management plan. Comprised of 13 members representing differing interests in wolf management, the WWG released an initial draft of its proposed management plan on March 18. It can be viewed here. The public comment period ends Friday and a final draft is to be presented in public meetings in May.
Will wolves come to Utah? Here’s what the brief says: “While the Utah State Legislature and the Ute Indian Tribe encourage the rejection of any U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to re-establish wolves in Utah, it is entirely possible that wolves will re-colonize portions of Utah. A study conducted in 2002 by Utah State University analyzes the possible dispersion of wolves into Utah. In any discussions of management of dispersing wolves into Utah it is imperative to consider the impact on human, livestock and wildlife populations. Utah State University concluded that while habitat in Utah could theoretically support up to 700 wolves, habitat fragmentation and road density could reduce the size of core habitat areas significantly, resulting in more probable estimates that Utah could support approximately 200 wolves. With several sightings of wolves in Utah in the last three years, it is clear that wolves have already returned to Utah. It is highly likely that as populations increase in nearby states wolves will develop an established presence in Utah.”
Blog Watch
John Yewell writes about Indian gaming in Utah . . . KSL Radio bloggers talk about the Terri Schiavo case and covering Andrew Bogut . . . Rep. Steve Urquhart discusses a fellow legislative blogger and Gov. Huntsman’s opposition to Yucca Mountain . . . Charley Foster on CDC ending downwinder study . . . Paul Allen on a number of fascinating high-tech developments . . . and Ethan Millard short comments on a number of issues.
FEC Trying to Set Web Rules
The Federal Election Commission is trying to figure out the status of bloggers and Web sites with regard to campaign finance rules, according to a story in News.com. Election rules were put in place long before the Internet became such a powerful political tool, and the FEC is trying to update regulations to take into account the on-line media.
FEC commissioners voted 5-1 on March 24 to approve a procedure that is expected to end with a final set of Internet rules -- governing everything from whether bloggers are journalists to bulk political e-mail -- in place by the end of the year.
Words to Live By
(Source: The Federalist Patriot)
"The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions." --Daniel Webster
"Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power." --Lucius Annaeus Seneca
"To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying 'Amen' to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive." --Robert Louis Stevenson
"Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow." --Aesop
"How much easier it is to be critical than to be correct." --Benjamin Disraeli
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