Wilderness Predator Control Information Page

by Erik Ryberg, The Center for Biological Diversity, revised July 6, 2006

Introduction to the New Rules

The Forest Service has proposed new rules governing predator control -- aerial gunning, poison baits and traps, and the like -- in designated wilderness areas and research natural areas.

The new rules:

Relax the circumstances under which predator control may occur in designated wilderness

Permit killing the "local population" of animals instead of the "offending individual"

Permit motorized use inside designated wilderness areas for predator control

Permit poison baits and traps (the notorious "M-44" guns) where they were previously prohibited

Permit "collaborative groups" to set predator control objectives

Relax all the language that formerly provided some small measure of protection to predators in wilderness areas and Research Natural Areas

The Center for Biological Diversity is urging everyone who cares about wild animals and wild places to oppose this new rule change. This web page is designed to give you quick access to background documents that may help you understand and work to prevent this terrible rule from passing, and secure protection for wolves, coyotes, bears, foxes, bobcats and mountain lions wherever they roam.

What You Can Do

First, please contact us if you or your organization would like to add your name to our sign-on letter, which will be sent to the Forest Service and the media. To join, send an email to eryberg@biologicaldiversity.org with your contact information, including a phone number.

Second, please consider writing your own comment letter in addition to joining our sign-on letter. Explain to the Forest Service why wilderness and predators are important to you, and why you believe they deserve complete protection from government hunters and poison baits and traps. Comments must be postmarked on or before September 5, 2006, and should be addressed to:

Forest Service, USDA
Attn: Director, Wilderness and Wild Scenic Rivers Resources
201 14th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250

You may also email your comments to

PDM@fs.fed.us.

Background Materials

The following links will take you to background materials that you may find useful in framing your comments. The best place to start is probably our synopsis and analysis of the new rule; few commentors will want to descend into most of these documents. We only include them here for those who want to research all the finer points of the new rules.

A Brief Analysis of the New Rules

The Federal Register Notice of the Proposed Rules from June 7, 2006

The Federal Register Notice of Current Rules, from May 4, 1995

Side by Side Comparison of the Current and Proposed Rules

Comment Letter on the New Rule from the Center for Biological Diversity

June 12 Press Release by the Center for Biological Diversity Concerning the Rule Change

The Sign-on letter Circulated by the Center for Biological Diversity

The Memorandum of Understanding Mentioned in the Proposed Rule Change

The Wilderness Act

Forest Service rules Concerning Research Natural Areas (go to "4060" at linked page)