Montana wolf plan should be completed next month
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana’s plan for managing gray wolves is on
schedule for completion next month, state officials said Friday.
The plan, a requirement for the animal’s removal from the federal
endangered species list, could be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service by September.
“We’re confident the final plan will reflect the public’s desire for (the
state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks) to manage wolves in a way
that addresses their concerns and allows FWP the flexibility to meet the
needs of both wolves and people,” plan coordinator Carolyn Sime said.
The state agency has worked on the plan for almost three years. More than
5,000 comments were collected in May during public sessions on the plan’s
environmental impact statement.
The Montana wildlife agency presented five plan options. Its preferred
plan would be based on wolf numbers, distribution and public acceptance.
Management techniques would be based on a benchmark of 15 breeding pairs
in the state.
Officials say it would be similar to policies used for black bears and
mountain lions.
Federal authorities estimated 183 wolves in 35 packs and about 16 breeding
pairs were in Montana at the end of last year. An estimated 660 wolves in
80 packs and 43 breeding pairs were said to be in the northern Rockies.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must also approve state management
plans from Wyoming and Idaho. Idaho’s plan is finished and Wyoming
officials say they hope to submit their plan this summer. Federal
officials say they could begin removing the wolves from the endangered
list this fall.
Canadian wolves began moving back into northwestern Montana in the
mid-1980s. In the mid-1990s, 66 wolves were released into Yellowstone
National Park and central Idaho.