Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR) spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives about the impact of gray wolf populations in the Western United States. He addressed concerns from ranchers, farmers, and outdoorsmen regarding livestock losses and management challenges.
Bentz criticized how the Endangered Species Act has been enforced in relation to gray wolf reintroduction. “Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call out the injury and injustice being inflicted upon my state and my constituents by the inappropriate and unfair enforcement of the Endangered Species Act as it has been and is being applied in the reintroduction of the Grey Wolf,” he said.
He highlighted difficulties faced by ranchers due to livestock attacks: “Let me begin my discussion of failed management by showing several pictures which are graphic illustrations of the reality that my ranching families all too often have to face: As you can see, there is nothing refined about how a wolf goes about feeding itself. You can imagine the feelings of the rancher when he or she finds livestock torn apart and dying. You can try to imagine the anger that they feel knowing that they are legally prevented from stopping the wolf that caused this pain and horror to their cattle and calves from doing this again. And again. And again.”
Bentz described meetings with constituents who shared stories about wolves attacking herds despite efforts allowed under current law: “I have held meeting after meeting across my district listening over and over to stories about wolves attacking herds, scattering cattle, and ignoring the ineffective ‘hazing’ efforts that owners of these cattle are allowed to use under the law to try to protect their livelihoods. The anger that they feel, their intense frustration, is totally understandable and is why I’m on this floor today sharing their pain with you.”
He called for changes in policy: “If we are to protect those who are trying their best to feed this country, to make a living, to keep their communities alive, to put out range fires, to pay their taxes, and to continue to be productive parts of this nation, we need to delist the wolf and move management of these animals back to the states.”
Discussing economic impacts on cattle businesses, Bentz stated: “The actual annual cost of the wolf to cattle businesses, as of a few years ago, is estimated to be 128 million dollars. Again, this is the annual cost. This number is far higher now that cattle prices are higher.” He also mentioned indirect effects such as reduced weight gain and pregnancy rates among livestock.
While acknowledging reimbursement programs at federal and state levels for losses due to wolves—programs he said do not fully compensate affected parties—Bentz argued for more comprehensive solutions: “There has been legislation enacted…to try to bring some reimbursement equity into play by providing at least some payment for death of cattle caused by wolves…but these programs…come nowhere close…” He added: “In addition I can assure you that the rancher would absolutely be happier if he or she could completely avoid losses…”
Bentz advocated for passage of HR 845—the Pet and Livestock Protection Act—to transfer wolf management authority back from federal agencies: “If we are properly…manage [the] wolf we must pass Congresswoman Boebert’s & Tom Tiffany’s bill HR 845…This would delist [the] wolf & allow states [to] manage those populations.”
He concluded with a call for compensation for costs imposed on agricultural producers: “And if we are properly allocate responsibility for monetary cost…those millions…unjustly imposed upon ranchers & farmers…must be paid back…If society wants [the] world society must pay for [the] wolf.”
Cliff Bentz represents Oregon’s 2nd district in Congress after succeeding Greg Walden in 2021; previously he served in both chambers of Oregon’s legislature (https://bentz.house.gov/about). Born in Salem in 1952 (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/B001303), Bentz lives in Ontario (https://www.congress.gov/member/cliff-bentz/B001303) and holds degrees from Eastern Oregon University (BA) (https://www.eou.edu/) as well as Lewis & Clark College (JD).
