Wolf Delisting Proposed

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking that outlines the agency's intent to remove gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains from the federal list of threatened and endangered species. The notice is being issued to give the public time to review and comment on Fish and Wildlife's proposed strategy of designating and proposing to delist a distinct population segment of wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains that have exceeded biological recovery goals and no longer require protection under the Endangered Species Act. As part of the rulemaking, Fish and Wildlife intends to propose establishing a distinct population segment of gray wolves, encompassing the geographic boundary of all of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, the eastern third of Washington and Oregon, and a small part of north-central Utah. If the rulemaking were implemented, wolves outside the boundaries of the distinct population segment in other parts of the country would continue to be listed as endangered, except for the Mexican gray wolf in Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico, which is listed as an experimental, non-essential population. Fish and Wildlife anticipates publishing a proposal in the near future to establish and delist a Great Lakes distinct population segment of gray wolves, which also has exceeded its recovery goals. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall emphasized that any future rulemaking on a delisting decision for Rocky Mountain wolves is still contingent on the state of Wyoming adopting a Fish and Wildlife-approved state law and wolf management plan, as required under the Endangered Species Act. "Gray wolves in the Northern Rockies have exceeded their recovery goals and are biologically ready to be delisted," Hall said. "However, the potential delisting cannot be finalized until Wyoming's wolf management plan has been approved. We are hopeful that Wyoming will be able to develop a state law and management plan which meets the Service's criteria for approval." The minimum recovery goal for wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains is 30 breeding pairs and at least 300 wolves for three consecutive years, a goal that was attained in 2002. The most recent official population counts in 2004 found that Montana had 15 breeding pairs and approximately 153 wolves; Wyoming had 24 breeding pairs and approximately 260 wolves; and Idaho had 27 breeding pairs and 422 wolves, the Fish and Wildlife Service reports. Official population estimates for 2005 are not yet available but are expected to be slightly higher than last year. Estimates for Idaho for 2005 are 500-600 wolves and 36 breeding pairs. Wolves dispersed naturally from Canada into northwestern Montana in the early 1980s. In 1995 and 1996, the Service reintroduced wolves from southwestern Canada to remote public lands in central Idaho and Yellowstone National Park. These wolves were classified as nonessential experimental populations under section 10(j) of the ESA to increase management flexibility and address local and State concerns. Natural dispersal coupled with reintroductions and the accompanying management programs greatly expanded the numbers and distribution of wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains. If the northern Rocky Mountain population segment is delisted, the individual states and Tribes will resume sole management of wolves within their respective boundaries. Montana and Idaho have adopted state laws and wolf management plans approved by Fish and Wildlife to conserve their share of a recovered northern Rocky Mountain wolf population into the foreseeable future. Wyoming's law and its wolf management plan have not been approved by Fish and Wildlife. The Department of Interior and Fish and Wildlife have transferred much of the federal management responsibilities to Montana and Idaho. The two states now implement control actions for problem wolves, monitor wolf packs, coordinate research, conduct public information programs and take wolves for scientific and other purposes in accordance with federal regulations. Important elements of the Idaho and Montana management frameworks are adequate regulatory mechanisms to manage the human take of wolves, consistent definitions of a pack, and agreement to manage for 15 packs in each state. Wyoming's state law and wolf management plan have not been approved by Fish and Wildlife in part because Wyoming's law defines wolves as a "predatory animal," which means that wolves can be killed at any time, by anyone, without limit, and by any means except poisoning. Concerns regarding Wyoming state law and its plan must be resolved before the northern Rocky Mountain proposed delisting regulation can progress. Public comments on the proposals to establish a distinct population segment and to delist the northern Rocky Mountain wolves should be mailed to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Western Gray Wolf Recovery Coordinator, 585 Shepard Way, Helena, MT 59601. Comments must be submitted by close of business, 60 days after the Federal Register publication date.