ENDANGERED SPECIES -- Even though only about a dozen wolves roam in the state, the Oregon Senate gave unanimous approval today for a bill authorizing a comprehensive livestock compensation and wolf coexistence program.

Gov. Kitzhaber is expected to sign the legislation, which passed the House earlier this week 60-0.

Key feature of the legislation:

• Ranchers who proactively use nonlethal deterrents and best management practices to protect their livestock will be eligible to receive compensation payments for subsequent losses to wolves.

“Oregon’s Livestock Compensation and Wolf Coexistence bill will create one of the most innovative livestock loss compensation and prevention programs in the country," said Suzanne Stone, Northern Rockies representative for Defenders of Wildlife. Stone helped lead the effort for wolf advocates involved in the negotiations.

"Ranchers who take proactive steps to minimize potential conflicts between wolves and their livestock will remain eligible to receive compensation for losses. The bill also dedicates at least a third of allocated funds to implementing effective nonlethal deterrents to help ranchers prevent losses to wolves. This ensures that livestock producers are doing their part to protect their animals while giving Oregon’s wolves a real chance of survival.”