Wyoming Slaps Wolf Scientist for Comments
The Associated Press
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — One of Wyoming’s top predator biologists was suspended for two weeks without pay for openly criticizing the state’s proposed wolf management plan, a government watchdog group said Thursday.
Dave Moody, a Wyoming Game and Fish Department employee since 1976, was suspended just days after he voiced concerns about the plan at a national wolf conference in Montana on April 9, reported the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.
Moody had said the plan passed by the state Legislature was cumbersome and could delay the animal’s removal from the endangered species list. The federal government wants management plans from Wyoming, Idaho and Montana before it will consider delisting the animals.
Top Wyoming officials, including Gov. Dave Freudenthal, took issue with Moody’s comments. Moody is in charge of drafting the final management plan for Wyoming.
Public Employees, which defends government employees who speak out on environmental issues, wants an investigation, alleging Moody’s suspension was in retaliation for his comments.
“It looks like we’re going back to that same climate of fear and retaliation in state service,” said Eric Wingerter, the group’s national field director.
“In this case, there’s a difference between just sort of sharing your opinion casually and standing up as the administrator charged with drafting this plan and saying this won’t work,” said Freudenthal’s press secretary, Lara Azar.
Wingerter said PEER wants Freudenthal to reinstate Moody and to implement a policy of “nonretaliation against government professionals.”
The state is expected to present its wolf management plan to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission for adoption in June or July. Idaho has approved a plan, and Montana is circulating a proposal for public comment.