Lummis Statement on Gray Wolf Settlement

Statement

U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Interior's (DOI) settlement to remove Endangered Species Act (ESA) designations for the gray wolf in Idaho and Montana:

"I am pleased that the federal government took this positive step. In recent weeks we've seen more willingness on the part of the Department of Interior to move toward a solution on wolves than Wyoming has witnessed for years. I applaud their efforts and have strongly urged them to continue in good-faith negotiations with Governor Mead.

However, I'm afraid that without congressional action, this agreement is a wolf in sheep's clothing. The settlement as announced today does not guarantee delisting in Wyoming, and it does not guarantee environmental activists will suddenly come to their senses and halt the lawsuit frenzy. Do not forget that four environmental plaintiffs with a history of judicial activism have not accepted this deal.

I believe that the best way to ensure the success of any negotiation is to back it up with the force of law. That is why I continue to support national delisting of the gray wolf. I won't rest until Wyoming sees a complete delisting of the wolf and its management returned to our state's on-the-ground wildlife experts."

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