11/26/07 Wolf comment period nears end

The US Fish and Wildlife Service comment period on delisting Rocky Mountain Gray Wolves in Idaho ends Friday. Wolf Recovery Coordinator Ed Bangs says they seek comments on the same two alternatives announced last February; one to delist all wolves in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana or two, to delist wolves everywhere but Wyoming. Federal Judge Donald Molloy ruled that the Idaho and Montana state management plans were on par with the federal protection plan. BANGS "Now in Wyoming wolves would remain listed and protected by federal regulations but elsewhere they'd be managed entirely by the states and we think that is an option that is legal. We're going to make a decision hopefully this winter about what parts if not all of the Northern Rocky Mountains should be delisted." There's no doubt that Idaho's wolf population thrived since reintroduction in 1995. BANGS "Last year we estimated in the state of Idaho there were about 788 wolves and this year we estimate it's about 771." If you want to look at the proposal and comment by Friday's deadline you'll find it on the Internet at www.westerngraywolf.fws.gov. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott