In the latest installment of an ongoing saga, Gray wolves have been taken off the endangered species list in most of the United States, putting responsibility for their survival on state – rather than federal – authorities.
The move means wolves in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Idaho and Montana are no longer protected under the Endangered Species Act. This may not last long though, as environmental groups are inevitably promising to sue if soon-to-be-President Barack Obama doesn’t reverse the decision. Obama spokesman Nick Shapiro says there will be a review of “all 11th-hour regulations” (LA Times, Chicago Tribune).
Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett responded: “We would hope that because that evidence and data is there to support the decision that the next administration will not turnaround and go another direction. But it is their right and ability to do.” (Idaho Statesman.)
One place they won’t be going wolf hunting is Wyoming, where the Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that “if it moves kill it” does not constitute a management plan, although it phrases it slightly differently:
Wyoming’s state law and wolf management plan are not sufficient to conserve Wyoming’s portion of a recovered northern Rocky Mountain wolf population.
More responses below the fold.
Predictably, there was a barrage of press releases from outraged environmental groups after Wednesday’s announcement that wolves in the Northern Rockies are on track for delisting once again.
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It is long past time for delisting wolves in Montana. And when it happens, a sustainable population will be maintained, if for no other reason than to avoid the prospects of a relisting and enduring another ride on the litigation merry-go-round.
– Montana Daily Inter Lake
Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife, called it “a blatantly political maneuver” that the Bush administration has been supporting since day one. “It is nonsense to rush this rule through when states have plans to kill hundreds of wolves as soon as they’re delisted”, he further explained, also adding that the Defenders of Wildlife organization plans to challenge the decision in court.
Idaho has the ability to manage wolves just as we do bears and cats. We can do this, and do it better than the federal government ever will.
– Senator Jim Risch, in the Idaho Times-News
I am mad. Let’s go to court.
– Wyoming Representative Del McOmie, in the Casper Star-Tribune
Image: USFWS