Issue Position: Environment/Natural Resources - Wolf Reintroduction

Issue Position

Under the Northern Rocky Mountain Recovery Plan the three recovery areas of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming must maintain a minimum of 30 breeding pairs for three consecutive years before the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) can consider de-listing wolves. According to the 2002 wolf recovery report, there are 663 wolves and 43 breeding pairs in the three-state area, making 2002 the third consecutive year in which the 30 breeding pair minimum has been met.

With the recovery criteria met the USFWS can move toward removing the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List. According to the USFWS, the northern rocky mountain wolf population could be de-listed as early as 2004. However, there are several hurdles that must be overcome before de-listing can be successful.

Before the de-listing process can begin the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming must have state management plans in place that are consistent with the long-term conservation of the wolf population. Idaho has completed its management plan and Montana and Wyoming should have completed plans later this year. Additionally, it is expected that radical environmental groups will file lawsuits to stop de-listing. In the mean time, I will continue working on important issues such as reducing wolf depredation and increasing funding for monitoring and compensation for ranchers affected by depredation.

While I did not support wolf reintroduction, I am pleased that we have successfully met the de-listing criteria and support efforts to quickly de-list the northern rocky mountain gray wolf population and begin state management. Idaho knows best how to manage wolves and will benefit from the flexibility of state management.

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