Feds reject wolf plan
Governor Dave Freudenthal said Tuesday that he is disappointed in the
federal government’s decision to reject Wyoming’s wolf management plan,
but that he is prepared to work with the legislature and the state’s
congressional delegation to form a state response.
Freudenthal learned of the federal decision at approximately 10 a.m.
Tuesday, during a telephone call with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Director Steve Williams. The governor said both he and the Attorney
General’s office are still evaluating the FWS position.
“Ultimately, this was a federal decision,” Freudenthal said. “Therefore,
we are looking to our federal representatives for what leadership and
aid they can provide. We will work with them and the Wyoming Legislature
to arrive at the state response.”
The governor also requested that a FWS representative be present at
Thursday’s meeting of the Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and
Cultural Resources Interim Committee in Laramie. Freudenthal said he
believes it is incumbent upon the federal agency to explain its
rejection of the plan.
“Given the fact that scientific reviews of the state’s plan largely
endorsed its biological soundness, I can only conclude that the federal
decision was based on little more than Potomac politics,” the governor
said. “I am certainly disappointed in the Bush administration, but I
believe that the executive and legislative branches of state government,
working with our congressional delegation, can arrive at the appropriate
steps to take in response.”
In other wolf news, wolf control actions have been idled both in the
Pinedale and Wamsutter areas where recent cattle depredations were
confirmed.
According to FWS, the wolves did not return to the area where several
cattle were killed near Wamsutter. No specific control is being
conducted, but if a wolf is seen in that area USDA Wildlife Services is
authorized to lethally take up to two wolves.
As for the Pinedale situation, FWS noted: “There are two (elk)
feedgrounds in that area and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department does
not want aircraft flying low near the elk so it is not being intensively
searched by air. No other problems have been reported. The ranch still
has an active shoot on site permit but no wolves have been taken.”