Treaty with Russia on Measures for Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms--Resumed

Floor Speech

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Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, I wish to rise to speak about an issue that has been at the center of debate in the northern Rockies for quite some time; that is, the issue of the wolf. The wolf was introduced into the northern Rockies in the 1990s and has flourished. Wolves are now abundant in the region, but, unfortunately, we have not been able to return the management of the wolves to the State, mostly due to litigation and to the inflexibility of the Endangered Species Act. In the meantime, wolf populations are growing at a rate of about 20 percent a year, resulting in substantial harm to our big game herds and domestic livestock.

Whenever I am back in Idaho, I hear from hunters who are angry their favorite hunting spots are no longer rich with elk and deer or from sheep and cattle ranchers who have lost many a head of cattle or sheep due to the wolf predation.

The State of Idaho has done everything it has been asked to do in order to manage wolves, and we continue to be denied that much needed opportunity. As such, it is time for Congress to act.

I intend to make a unanimous consent request in a few moments. First, I yield a few moments to my colleague from Idaho, Senator Risch.

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Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, I will make this request on behalf of myself, Senator Risch, and the Senators from Utah, Mr. Hatch and Mr. Bennett, and the Senators from Wyoming, Mr. Enzi and Mr. Barrasso.

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be discharged from further consideration of S. 3919, and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; that the bill be read the third time and passed; that the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the measure be printed in the Record, as if read.

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Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, I appreciate the comments of my colleague from Maryland and I appreciate working with him on the committee and I intend to continue working with him. This is an issue of utmost importance in those States in this region of the United States. The longer we wait to resolve this issue, the more difficult it will be. Cooperation is the key in order for us to get this resolution accomplished.

I thank the Chair. I yield the floor.

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Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, the compromise the Senator from Montana refers to--and he is correct, we have been intensely working on this issue to find a compromise with the administration and the affected States. The compromise he refers to would have required a change in the management of the wolf in Idaho that was unacceptable to the Governor in Idaho and others, including myself and Senator Risch. Although there was a proposal made, it is not correct that it was approved by everybody. I believe, though, we are making progress.

I am willing to work with the Senator from Montana and the Senator from Maryland and others to try not only to find further progress at this late date in this session or next year, if necessary, to try to find our way to that solution. I appreciate the willingness of both Senators to work with us in trying to find that compromise that will work.

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