Second Extension of Comments on Gray Wolf Delisting

In June the U.S. Fish and Wildlife released their rule that would delist the gray wolf from the lower 48 states and asked for comments and review. There was a first extension to the comment period in early September and was to close on the 28th of October -- however as a results of delays caused by the lapse in federal appropriations, the agency decided to extended a second time -- now until December 17th.

Washington Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President Jack Field says this rule would bring the entire state's wolf population management under the Washington Fish and Wildlife at all phases of recovery in Washington. Prior to this listing only the Eastern one-third of the state has been under the state agency's control.

Field says although this is a positive move, there is still a long way to go.

Field: "I would highly recommend that folks take the time to comment supportive of this rule of delisting in the lower 48. Again the important aspect is that we can all cite our WA Fish and Wildlife Wolf Recovery Plan as the basis. Even as restrictive as the plan may be to some, it is still a much much more flexible management document than many other states have throughout the West."

Field says hopefully Washington can avoid the legal battle that Idaho had that mired wolf population management in that state for over a decade.

Field: "That is one of those things, we are crossing our fingers that when we get ready for delisting here Washington state that we're going to be able to avoid that hurdle so that we can seamlessly transition from the listed stages into big game status which will assure even greater protection for the wolf into the long future."