By TREVOR GRAFF, Star-Tribune staff writer
The Wyoming Attorney General’s office does not expect the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to join in any appeals to the recent federal district court ruling that returned wolf management in Wyoming to federal control.
Officials from the Attorney General’s office said they are still exploring their options but that appealing the process could lead lawmakers to draft a new management scheme, a process subject to public comment requirements that could take as long as two years.
Members of the Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee voiced their concerns over the ruling at their Monday meeting in Casper.
Jay Jerde, special assistant to the attorney general, said the state has three options to fight the ruling.
The state can appeal and risk the need for another drafting process, work on a joint revision with the court or rely on Wyoming’s congressional delegation — in coalition with other Western states — to pass legislation blocking the ruling.
“We’re actively moving to work congressionally with the Wyoming delegation and other Western states to possibly move legislation,” Jerde said.
Legislators said local control would benefit Wyoming ranchers who lose livestock to wolves.
Lawmakers say the ruling confused state officials and local ranchers. Livestock producers rely on the Fish and Wildlife service to control problem wolves.
Sen. Jim Anderson, R-Glenrock, said the state would be more responsive than federal officials to livestock producers in need of help.
“We’re in a twilight zone of management,” Anderson said. “In my mind, if Fish and Wildlife doesn’t respond, this would fall on our Game and Fish Department. But as a landowner, I don’t know right now who you seek advice from.”
Sen. Eli Bebout, R-Riverton, said the state needs to seek a quick resolution to the legal battle to help the state’s ranchers avoid breaking the law.
“A rancher who sees a wolf out there attacking his calf isn’t going to pick up the phone and call to ask what rules we’re under,” Bebout said. “He’s going to shoot the wolf.”
State leaders say they will continue to weigh their options in the coming weeks and are working to return the control of wolves to Wyoming as quickly as possible.