The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Federal and state agencies are preparing to reintroduce grizzly bears and additional wolves into Washington’s rural counties. Lawless environmental groups like Earth First and Earth Liberation Front attempted to create habitat for these dangerous animals in the 1980s by sabotaging logging equipment, tree spiking, damaging electric lines/towers, bombings and other illegal acts.

They have shifted tactics and graduated from universities with MS and PHD degrees in environmental sciences and law degrees. They are now state of Washington and federal agency employees and some have been elected to the Washington State Legislature.

They are not proposing re-introducing of grizzlies and wolves into King or Snohomish Counties, which were once these animals’ native habitats. These counties have large populations and average household income exceeding $70,000, which adds up to political power.

The proposal is to reintroduce these wild animals into Eastern Washington counties with low populations and low incomes. The rural ranchers there have a daily struggle to survive by grazing cattle and sheep and raising hay. The historic 2014 Carlton Complex fire has destroyed much of these rural lands’ growing ability and even some small towns.

Combined with the closure of small town hospitals and nursing homes, these rural ranches and small towns are on the edge of survival.

The addition of grizzlies and wolves that prey not only on elk and deer, but also on ranch-raised sheep, cows and fowl may well spell the end of ranching in these rural counties. Residents had better develop a defensive strategy on how to survive and protect their way of life. It appears none will be forthcoming from state/federal agencies or elected officials.

William Riley, President

Columbia Basin

Environmental Council