Barrasso:Wolf Reversal - A Breach of Trust
Washington Double Crosses Wyoming
by Senator Barrasso’s office
September 24, 2008
(Washington) – The gray wolf was hailed as a species recovery success story. Now it is headed back to the list of threatened and endangered species.
Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo) opposes the reversal. "This is a significant breach of trust. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have reneged on their commitment to the people of Wyoming and the Northern Rockies."
"Management of gray wolves needs to be under Wyoming control, not Washington’s. This is a Washington created problem that requires a Wyoming solution. It does not require further interference from liberal special interest groups backed by Washington," Barrasso said
The U.S. Department of Justice has asked a federal court for a "voluntary remand" of the delisting decision. This would return the gray wolf to the list of endangered and threatened species.
"The state of Wyoming has worked in good faith with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to address this issue. It is my belief that Wyoming is in the best position to manage this animal and the damage it causes," Barrasso said.
"Wyoming honored its commitments in the managing the wolves. Our state met the recovery goals set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and had pledged to maintain wolf populations. Agricultural producers and sportsmen have every reason to feel double-crossed by Washington."
"This is a Washington power grab. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has an obligation to fight for Wyoming, and not back down in the face of lawsuits from environmental special interests. Washington with its typical double talk has shifted the goal posts. In Wyoming, we take our commitments seriously."
Gray wolves were removed from the Endangered Species list in the Northern Rockies region on March 28th, 2008 and management was turned over to the states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Environmental groups sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to put the wolf back on the endangered species list.
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