In a pivotal meeting of the Oregon Legislature's House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water, ranchers and conservation advocates clashed over proposed legislation aimed at addressing wolf predation and compensation for livestock losses. The session, held on April 30, 2025, featured passionate testimonies from local ranchers who detailed the financial and emotional toll of wolf attacks on their operations.

Wally Sykes, a member of the Wallowa County Wolf Compensation Committee, voiced his opposition to Senate Bill 777 as it stands, suggesting amendments to better address the complexities of non-lethal management claims. He emphasized the need for independent verification of claims, particularly when the claimants are from outside the county, to prevent unjustified expenses from burdening the compensation fund. Sykes proposed reducing compensation multipliers and involving the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) in verifying non-lethal management tools.

Mike Alger, a rancher from Yamhill County, shared his harrowing experience with wolf predation, recounting how his ranch suffered significant financial losses due to wolf attacks on his cattle. He described the stress on his livestock, which led to a substantial drop in pregnancy rates among his cows. Alger expressed strong support for Senate Bill 777, highlighting the urgent need for compensation to help ranchers recover from such losses.

On the other side of the debate, Eliza Walton, representing the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, articulated strong opposition to Senate Bill 778, labeling it a major threat to Oregon's environmental health. She criticized the lack of stakeholder engagement in the bill's development and raised concerns about the verification processes for non-lethal management tools. Walton argued that the current legislation does not adequately ensure that ranchers are using coexistence strategies effectively, which is essential for the sustainability of both agriculture and wildlife.

As the meeting unfolded, it became clear that the discussions surrounding wolf management and rancher compensation are fraught with tension, reflecting broader conflicts between agricultural interests and conservation efforts in Oregon. The outcomes of these legislative proposals could have lasting implications for the state's ranchers and its wildlife management policies, leaving many stakeholders eager to see how the committee will navigate these complex issues in the coming weeks.