Stop Lease of Public Lands to Diamond M Ranch

This petition had 1,328 supporters

The Issue

Diamond M Ranch, which grazes cattle on public land, has been responsible for the culling of two packs of endangered wolves since 2012. 

Diamond M Ranch in Northern Washington relies on a leased parcel of public land on which to graze their cattle. Despite this dependence on the state government, the ranch refuses to cooperate with measures put in place by the state to reduce conflict between livestock and the state's recovering wolf population. In 2012, Diamond M Ranch politicized the killing of some of their cattle by local wolves, the Wedge Pack, forcing state officials to cull the entire pack. Recently, Diamond M Ranch chose to turn out their cattle on top of the den site of another pack, the Profanity Peak pack. With the cattle driving the wolves' natural prey out of the area, the pack had no choice but to prey on the cattle to feed their growing young. Now all 11 of the Profanity Peak wolves are to be killed, including 4-5 young cubs. Half have already been killed. 

Diamond M Ranch are abusing their lease of public lands, ranching on them for personal gain while refusing to work with the state to prevent conflicts between their cattle and a barely-recovering endangered species. For the benefit of the greater Washington ecosystem, it is in the best interest of the State to terminate its relationship with Diamond M Ranch. 

Sources:

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/profanity-peak-wolf-pack-in-states-gun-sights-after-rancher-turns-out-cattle-on-den/

http://www.opb.org/news/article/washington-wolf-pack-killing-profanity-peak/

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/state-learns-sad-lesson-with-wedge-pack-wolf-hunt/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/08/25/six-cows-are-dead-or-hurt-now-washington-state-will-shoot-11-wolves-and-pups/

avatar of the starter
Pals for WildlifePetition Starter

The Decision Makers

Washington State Department of Agriculture
Washington State Department of Agriculture
Director Derek Sandison
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Office of the Commissioner of Public Lands

Petition Updates