County denies expansion request for WOLF

By Dan MacArthur
North Forty News

Plans for increasing the number of wolf hybrids permitted at a Rist Canyon sanctuary are down but not necessarily out, despite the county's rejection of the proposal.

"I'm not sure it's over," sanctuary co-founder Frank Wendland said after the Larimer County Commissioners by a 2-1 vote rejected the request by Wolves Offered Life and Friendship. WOLF wanted to double the number of animals allowed at its Rist Canyon facility from 30 to 60 dispersed over 30 acres rather than the current five acres.

With the end of the free legal representation so far provided to WOLF, Wendland said he and attorney Stewart McNab will have to discuss how to proceed.

The commissioners' Feb. 4 decision - the same as recommended by the planning commission - followed four hours of often heated and emotional testimony before some 80 participants. The comments reflected irreconcilable conflict between the committed camps.

Residents fiercely challenged WOLF's compatibility with the mountain community and bluntly questioned the credibility of claims by the shelter's owners and supporters.

"They talk out of both sides of their mouth," said Glenn Johnson. "You can't trust anything they say. This should be a meeting to shut them down."

Shelter volunteers residing across the Front Range insisted that WOLF runs a tight ship to foster friendly relations with neighbors while providing secure and humane homes for unwanted wolf dogs that otherwise would be destroyed.

"These are souls," said volunteer Pat Piscani, praising refuge founders Wendland and his spouse Patricia Lanteri-Wendland. "They have a deep respect for the animals. They have a deep respect for the land. WOLF gives these animals a chance to survive."

While many, including critics, expressed similar sentiments and support for the shelter's efforts, the primary concerns centered around safety and effects on surrounding neighbors such as increased noise and traffic.

Principal planner Rob Helmick said county staff recommended denial although most concerns had been addressed "except for the issue of the fire safety and compatibility."

The fire access issue generated the most heat.

"Under no circumstances is WOLF looking to the government or Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department to evacuate animals during a fire," said McNab. In the event of a forest fire, he said, volunteers would be mobilized to tranquilize the animals if necessary, crate them and transport them to safety.

Even so, fire chief Bob Gann said he was compelled to express concerns about such a lacking fire evacuation plan. He pointed out that the rugged access road into the refuge is the only one that has ever broken the department's truck. The constrained access, according to Gann, could become jammed as responding rescuers obstruct those departing. "It is a significant concern," he said.

While he can bar access in the event of a fast-moving fire, Gann also noted that he can't force those already on-site to leave. That, he said, could lead to deadly consequences as zealous volunteers desperately attempted to rescue one last animal.

"Very likely people will make decisions that are not the wisest decisions in the world," Gann said.

Further, he said, "there is no way my department or any other department in my opinion can defend those fences." The timber posts certainly would burn, he said, enabling the wolf hybrids to escape.

Gann was visibly riled by McNab's suggestions that the chief should not be issuing any recommendations due to a conflict of interest and lack of objectivity. Gann said in his capacity as chief, he is mandated to represent the fire department's concerns.

"I'm not some kind of a rogue fire chief who doesn't know what's going on," Gann insisted. "I am an animal lover, but I do love people more than animals."

While she expressed admiration for WOLF's efforts and agreed that it operates an excellent facility, Commissioner Kathay Rennels said she still could not support the proposal. She expressed concerns about the contested and constrained access road and pointed to the pledge made to the community when the commissioners in 1999 approved the special review application on the condition that no more than 30 animals would be housed at the refuge.

"I would like to support this," she said, "but I was sitting in this seat when we said 30 animals would be the limit."

"This road was not intended for a business at the end of it," said Commissioner Glenn Gibson. "To expand it and make it bigger, I have a real problem with that."

"Both sides have made a very strong case," said Commissioner Randy Eubanks. He maintained that the potential risk was not as great as contended and supported the request providing that WOLF would continue to carry $2 million in liability insurance and accept a greater per-animal penalty for violation of its permit.

Wendland attributed the rejection in part to the overwhelming amount of information for officials to digest, much of which he contended was inaccurate. But he asserted that much of the conflict goes beyond any facts.

"I think when people are confronted with their own phobias or irrational fears, they will lash out," he said.