WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., today welcomed a decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to de-list the gray wolves from the endangered species list.

“After years of struggle and debate, common sense and sound science are finally prevailing,” Barrasso said. “Today’s decision is a positive step forward for Wyoming .”

Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court to stop the de-listing process and to keep Wyoming Game and Fish from managing gray wolves.

“This is an issue that directly affects the lives of Wyoming ranchers, energy producers and sportsmen. It directly impacts Wyoming livestock and wildlife.”

“The interest groups and bureaucrats advocating keeping the animal on the list wouldn’t know a gray wolf if it blew their house down.” Barrasso added.

“Today’s decision reflects a position which I have long advocated: Wyoming is in the best position to determine how this animal should be managed, not out-of-state special interest groups and certainly not Washington .”

The de-listing takes place 30 days from its publication in the Federal Register.