Wyoming sues federal government over wolf plan
By The Associated Press
CHEYENNE – Wyoming on Tuesday sued the federal government over its rejection of the state’s proposed wolf management plan.
The federal government in July rejected Wyoming’s petition to remove wolves in the state from the federal list of threatened and endangered species. State officials argue that the federal government rejected the state’s proposed wolf management plan because of political considerations, not because of its scientific merits.
The state filed the lawsuit on Tuesday and it has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Alan Johnson in Cheyenne.
Wyoming’s proposed plan for managing the estimated 309 wolves in the state generally calls for leaving the animals alone in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. The state proposes to allow trophy hunting for them in areas next to the parks. The state proposes allowing wolves to be shot on sight as predators elsewhere in the state.
“The wolf management plan adopted by state agencies and the Wyoming Legislature has solid science behind it,” Gov. Dave Freudenthal said Tuesday. “It’s unfortunate that we have to go to court to see that fact get the weight it deserves, but we have not been left a choice by the federal government’s topdown approach.”