CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service and conservation groups to respond to the state of Wyoming’s request to reverse a recent order transferring management of wolves in the state back to federal control.
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of Washington, D.C., on Friday gave the federal government and conservation groups a Monday deadline to respond to Wyoming’s request.
Gov. Matt Mead says he believes Wyoming’s action this week passing an emergency rule should address Jackson’s concerns. The rule codifies the state’s promise to maintain at least 100 wolves and ten breeding pairs outside Yellowstone National Park and the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Conservation groups had challenged Wyoming’s wolf plan, which designated wolves in most of the state as unprotected predators.