Concerns Arise Over Gray Wolf Dialogue Initiative
A group of Republican lawmakers on Thursday sent a letter to Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Acting Director Martha Williams, urging for the delisting of the gray wolf in the lower-48 states and the return of management to the states. They argued that the species is recovered and delisting has historically received bipartisan support. However, they expressed concerns over the vague parameters of the FWS’s gray wolf dialogue initiative, fearing it could lead to the agency dictating management approaches to states and potentially relisting wolves in the Northern Rockies without state support.
Republicans Highlight Success of State Management
The lawmakers emphasized that states in the Northern Rockies Ecosystem have a proven track record of success in managing healthy wolf populations. They stated that current populations are stable and even slightly increasing year to year. The Republican letter urged the FWS to consider this success and to respect the expertise and knowledge of state officials in managing wildlife within their borders.
Environmentalists and Western States Clash on Gray Wolf Protection
Environmental and conservation nonprofits have long advocated for maintaining federal protections for the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). They argue that the species is vital to maintaining healthy ecosystems by regulating prey populations. Conversely, western states, along with agriculture and other interest groups, contend that the gray wolf has recovered and should be managed by state officials who possess a deeper understanding of local wildlife needs.
History of Delisting and Recent Reversal
In 2020, the Trump administration declared the gray wolf fully recovered in the United States and delisted it from the ESA after more than four decades of federal protection. The decision was based on meeting the specific factors outlined by Congress. However, in early 2022, a federal district court reinstated ESA protections for the gray wolf in the lower 48 states, excluding the Northern Rockies ecosystem.
Apprehension Surrounding the Gray Wolf Dialogue Initiative
The recent concerns from Republicans stem from the FWS’s gray wolf dialogue initiative, which aims to foster long-term conservation and address community concerns about wolves. While the agency stated that the initiative would inform its policies and future rulemaking, it did not provide specific details on its goals and objectives. The Republicans worry that this initiative could lead to further protections for the gray wolf, including in the Northern Rockies region, which is already under state management.
