5-7 IAN Simpson Wolves

 Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson who chairs the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee which oversees funding for the Fish and Wildlife Service has pressed Fish and Wildlife Director Dan Ashe on the need for ranchers to receive compensation for livestock lost to wolves.   Simpson spokesperson Nikki Watts told me in a phone call: “Simpson expressed frustration that funding intended to compensate livestock owners for the loss of livestock killed by wolves is not getting on the ground.” 

Simpson noted that the wolf livestock loss demonstration program was specifically authorized by Congress, yet the Service has still not spent the funds appropriated for the program in FY12. After the hearing, Simpson said he would continue to press the Service to see that those who have suffered losses because of wolves are adequately compensated.   

Simpson also discussed the Service’s backlog maintenance, and the impact that sequestration cuts are having on the Service’s work during the hearing. “I don’t see us getting out of the hole we’re in any time soon if we don’t address this debt crisis that we’re in… we can’t keep managing from crisis to crisis and expect to continue to offering the same level of services that we always have.”