New Restrictions on Domestic Sheep and Goats in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
By Garrett Christensen on Friday, May 12th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER COUNTY – (Release from the U.S. Forest Service) In efforts to protect Bighorn Sheep and be compliant with the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Comprehensive Management Plan, the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest executed Forest Order No. 06-16-04-23-01. The order places restrictions on domestic sheep and goats within the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.
The order prohibits, “possessing, storing, or transporting any domestic sheep or goat,” within all Forest Service Lands within the Congressionally designated boundaries of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.
Shaun McKinney, Forest Supervisor for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, explains the intention of the order in the Assessment of Need. “The intent of this order is to protect the health and viability of bighorn sheep, a Region 6 sensitive species, within their core habitat. Further, this order augments the science and conservation work from our partners and ensures significant investments to Bighorn Sheep are safeguarded.”
Jamie Ratliff, Wildlife Program Manager on the Wallowa-Whitman, explains that disease and parasite transmission from contact with domestic sheep and goats is a significant risk for bighorn sheep.
“The effects of domestic sheep and goat exposure on bighorn populations can take several forms including high mortality rates in lambs and chronic or sporadic adult mortality,” said Ratliff.
Ratliff continues to explain that multiple bighorn sheep populations in the Hells Canyon (ID, OR, and WA) area have already experienced high rates of mortality due to pneumonia outbreaks caused by bacteria (Mycoplasma Ovipneumonia) which continues to have lingering effects. “Overall, contact between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep will limit bighorn numbers and distribution in areas where respiratory disease occurs,” said Ratliff.
Currently, pathogen transmission to bighorn sheep can only be controlled by maintaining separation between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep and/or goats.
Forest Order No. 06-16-04-23-01 is scheduled to remain in effect until May 1, 2026, unless rescinded sooner. For a full copy of this order, visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/wallowa-whitman/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5228794.
