The independent., October 19, 2006, Page Page 21, Image 21

The INDEPENDENT, October 19, 2006
Page 21
Fish and Wildlife Commission adopts new wildlife control rules
The Fish and Wildlife Com-
mission, on October 6, adopted
regulations governing wildlife
control operators – private
businesses that deal with
wildlife causing damage to
property, posing a public health
risk or causing a public nui-
sance.
The rules streamline compli-
ance with statutory require-
ments by creating an annual
and standardized permitting
process and establishing con-
sistent statewide reporting re-
quirements. The adopted regu-
lations also set standards for
the humane treatment of
wildlife, including transport, re-
location and euthanasia. Final-
ly, the regulations create a new
testing process that evaluates
wildlife control operators’ basic
understanding of wildlife treat-
ment standards and other is-
sues.
“This set of rules is well
thought out and accomplishes
a great deal for the protection
of wildlife,” said Mike Marshall,
regional director for the Nation-
al Wildlife Control Operators
Association and owner of a
wildlife control operation busi-
ness in Neotsu. “The rules
strike a fine balance between
protecting wildlife and allowing
private businesses to meet the
needs of property owners with-
out onerous regulations.”
“These rules are good for
Oregon wildlife,” said Bob
Sallinger, urban conservation
program director at the Port-
land Audubon Society. “This
regulatory package effectively
addresses many wildlife control
operator issues.”
Approximately 70-90 busi-
nesses are involved in wildlife
control activities in the state of
Oregon and most are located
near large urban areas such as
Portland, Salem, Eugene-
Springfield and Salem. This is
because the types of wildlife
conflicts the operators address
often occur in urban areas
where animals like raccoons
and squirrels can occupy attics
or crawl spaces and scavenge
food from trash cans and pet
dishes.
The regulations adopted to-
day stem from state legislation
that mandated the develop-
ment of a system of licensing
and regulating these private
businesses. The regulations
are a culmination of efforts by
stakeholder groups including
wildlife control operators, ani-
mal rights groups, urban
wildlife conservationists, wild-
life rehabilitators, law enforce-
ment and local government.
For more information on the
rules adopted, go to: http://
www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/co
mmission/minutes/06/oct/in
dex.asp.
The seven-member Fish and
Wildlife Commission is the rule-
making body for fish and
wildlife issues in the state.
Don’t forget to
change your clocks
on October 29
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