Bill in the works to address wolf concerns
By Terry Miller
Cheyenne –
A bill is being drafted for the upcoming budget session to address
concerns raised by the federal government over Wyoming’s plan to manage
wolves.
The U-S Fish and Wildlife Service has delayed plans to remove wolves from
federal protection because it says the state’s management plan is
acceptable.
Among the concerns is a proposal to classify wolves in part of the state
as predators, which could be killed virtually at will.
Republican state Senator Bruce Burns of Sheridan is heading up efforts to
draft a bill aimed at addressing the federal government’s concerns.
Democratic state Senator Keith Goodenough of Casper says he supports the
legislation.
He says going to court to challenge the Fish and Wildlife Service could
delay efforts to remove wolves from the Endangered Species List, and he
says in the meantime, wolves will continue to multiply and prey on
wildlife and livestock.