By JEFF BARNARD
AP Environmental Writer
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) – As wolves reintroduced into the Northern Rockies push west, the states of Oregon and Washington want to manage them from here on.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has already lifted federal protection for the wolf in the eastern third of Oregon and Washington, as well as in several other states.
The agency is evaluating whether to extend that throughout the lower 48 states. A preliminary decision is due by the end of the year.
Both Oregon and Washington protect wolves under state law, have formal management plans and have told the service that federal protection is redundant.
Environmentalists disagree.
Noah Greenwald of the Center for Biological Diversity says federal protection requires a stronger regional plan for recovery, protects habitat and has stronger penalties for poaching.