Final Environmental Impact Statement

The Reintroduction of Gray Wolves to Yellowstone National Park and Central Idaho

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has selected Alternative 1, as modified by public comment, and proposes to establish an experimental population rule and reintroduce gray wolves to Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho, if 2 naturally occurring wolf packs cannot be located in either area before October 1994 or before experimental animals are released. The rule would allow management of wovles by government agencies and the public to minimize conflicts on public lands, effects on livestock, and impacts on ungulate (deer, elk, etc.) populations. There will be no land use restrictions for wolves after 6 packs are established. State and tribal wildlife agencies are encouraged to lead wolf management outside national parks and national wildlife refuges. Reintroduction would result in wolf population recovery (10 breeding pairs, about 100 wolves/area for 3 successive years) in and around Yellowstone National Park and in central Idaho by 2002. Only the establishment of wolves in these 2 areas is the subject of this proposal.

The Yellowstone area is about 25,000 square miles and 76% federal land. This area has over 95,000 ungulates and a hunter harvest of 14,314 ungulates, is grazed by about 412,000 livestock, has a $4.2 billion local economy, and receives about 14,500,000 recreational visits annually. The central Idaho area is about 20,700 square miles (nearly all USDA Forest Service land), has about 241,400 ungulates and a hunter harvest of 33, 358 ungulates, is grazed by about 306,525 livestock, has a $1.43 billion local economy, and receives about 8,000,000 recreational visits annually.

A recovered wolf population in the Yellowstone area would kill about 19 cattle (1-32), 68 sheep (17-110), and up to 1,200 ungulates each year. A recovered wolf population would not effect hunter harvest of male ungulates but my reduce hunter harvests of female elk, deer, and moose for some herds. Hunter harvests or populations of bighorn sheep, mountain goats or antelope would not be affected. A recovered wolf population may reduce populations of elk 5%-30% (30% in some small herds), deer 3%-19%, moose 7%-13%, and bison up to 15%. The presence of wovles would not change uses of public or private land except for potential use of M-44 cyanide devices where wolf populations occur. Visitor use would increase (+5% for out of area residents and +10% for local residents). At recovery, losses are estimated to be $187,000-$465,000 in hunter benefits, $207,000-$414,000 in potential reduced hunter expenditures, and $1,888-$30,470 in livestock losses. Increased visitor expenditures in the recovery area are estimated at $23,000,000 and the existence value of wolves is estimated at $8,300,000 a year.

A recovered wolf population in the central Idaho area would kill about 10 cattle (1-17), 57 sheep (32-92), and up to 1,650 ungulates each year. A recovered wolf population will not affect hunter harvest of male elk but may reduce harvest of female elk 10%-15% and will not measurably impact hunter harvest of deer, moose, bighorn sheep, or mountain goats. A recovered wolf population will not measurably impact hunter harvest of deer, moose, bighorn sheep, or mountain goats. A recovered wolf population will not measurably impact ungulate populations in central Idaho. Wolf presence will not change uses of public or private land (except for use of M-44 devices where wolf populations occur). Visitor use would likely increase (+8% for out of area residents and +2% for area residents). At recovery, losses are estimated to be $757,000-$1,135,000 in hunter benefits, $572,000-$857,000 in potential reduced hunter expenditures, and $2,923,503 in potential livestock losses. Visitation in central Idaho is expected to increase and the existence value of wolves is estimated at $8,400,000 a year.

The following alternatives are examined in this final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).

Alternative 1. Reintroduction of Experimental Populations Alternative (The Proposal).

Alternative 2. Natural Recovery Alternative (No Action). Encourage wolf populations to naturally expand into Idaho and Yellowstone.

Alternative 3. No Wolf Alternative. Change laws and prevent wolf recovery.

Alternative 4. Wolf Management Committee Alternative. Establish legislation so the states could implement wolf recovery and liberal management without federal oversight.

Alternative 5. Reintroduction of Nonexperimental Wolves Alternative. Reintroduction and high level of protection for wolves without extablishing an experimental population rule to address local concerns.

The FEIS will be forwarded to decision makers in the FWS and Department of Interior for a decision in May 1994. The FEIS is being provided for public information. A Record of Decision can be approved 30 days after publication of release of the FEIS in the Federal Regeister by the Environmental Protection Agency. Any decision regarding wolf recovery in the Yellowstone and central idaho areas as well as opportunities for future public involvement will be well publicized. A Notice of Availability of the FEIS will be published in the Federal Register.

Ralph O. Morgenweck
Regional Director, Region 6
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

April 14, 1994