Public Hearings Set on Proposed Wolf Rule Change

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks public comment on a proposed rule change that would allow states and tribes more flexibility in managing wolves. The change would revise the 2005 special rule for the central Idaho and Yellowstone area nonessential experimental population of gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains. The proposed revision, which would apply to states and tribes with approved wolf management plans, was 1 in the Federal Register on July 6. Fish and Wildlife Service plans three open house-public hearings along with a 30-day comment period. The Boise open house will run from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by a public hearing from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday July 19 at the Boise Convention Center on the Grove. Other meetings are Tuesday, July 17 in Cody, Wyo., and Wednesday July 18 in Helena, Mont. Public comments may be sent via e-mail to WolfRuleChange@fws.gov (include RIN number 1018-Av39 in the subject line of the message); mailed or hand-delivered to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Western Gray Wolf Recovery Coordinator, 585 Shepard Way, Helena, MT 59601; or submitted through the federal e-Rulemaking Portal at: http://www.regulations.gov. The deadline for public comments is August 6. Details of the proposed rule are available at: http:///www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mamals/wolf/.