Press Release - Jan 20, 2008
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SUNDAY, JAN. 20, 2008
CONTACT
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
Tyler Baskfield, Division of Wildlife, 720.530.9896
GOV. RITTER SEEKS SPENDING AUTHORITY FOR EMERGENCY WILDLIFE FEEDING PLAN
Gov. Bill Ritter will ask the legislature's Joint Budget Committee on Monday for spending authority for $1.75 million to fund an emergency winter feeding program for wildlife herds in the Gunnison Basin and other parts of Colorado.
"Heavy snowfall, bitter cold temperatures and a thick ice crust are preventing mule deer, pronghorn and other big game in Western Colorado from reaching their normal food sources, posing a significant risk of starvation," Gov. Ritter said. "We need to protect our wildlife herds, our local communities and our economy, and this spending authority will provide immediate assistance."
The Division of Wildlife launched an emergency feeding plan last week, deploying 30 employees and 250 volunteers to the hardest-hit areas. Aircraft are being used to spot herds and Sno Cats are being used to haul feed to isolated wildlife, including a 21,000-deer herd in the Gunnison Valley.
The DOW estimates that without emergency aid, mule deer herds in affected areas could experience a 90 percent increase in mortality rates for fawns and a 30 to 40 percent increase for adults. It could take the herds up to five years to recover, forcing a reduction in hunting and a potential $14 million economic loss to local communities.
Gov. Ritter is requesting the Joint Budget Committee grant $1.75 million in spending authority from the Wildlife Cash Fund, which is supported by hunting and fishing licenses and other fees.
The winter feeding program already has $250,000 available; this request will bring total funding authority $2 million. The money also will be available if emergency feeding becomes necessary in other parts of the state, including north-central Colorado, which also is experiencing severe winter weather and is home to even larger big-game herds. Any funds not spent on winter feeding will return to the Wildlife Cash Fund.