WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., recently co-sponsored legislation to put states in charge of managing wolf populations that pose a threat to livestock and wildlife.

The American Big Game and Livestock Protection Act (S.249), which was recently re-introduced by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), would finally remove Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for gray wolves that have been in place since 1972.

“Many people think wolves are cute cuddly puppies and they ignore the facts that those of us in the West know. Wolves can wreak havoc on livestock and wildlife when their population numbers are not managed properly. States, not the federal government, have the know how to manage their own wildlife. The federal government should get out of the way and let states get on with doing their job,” said Enzi. 

“Wyoming is in the best position to determine how the wolf should be managed, not Washington,” said Barrasso.  “Our state continues to surpass recovery goals and honor its commitments to recover the wolf.  It’s time for Washington to finally put states back in control of managing the wolf.”

Like similar legislation in the House, Hatch’s bill would prevent further litigation and pre-empt existing lawsuits. In addition to Sens. Enzi and Barrasso, Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and James Risch (R-Idaho) are co-sponsoring the bill.

The American Big Game and Livestock Protection Act was initially introduced in the 111th Congress last September.

Background:

Gray wolves were removed from the Endangered Species list in the Northern Rockies region on March 28th, 2008 and management was turned over to the states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.  Environmental groups sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to put the wolf back on the endangered species list.

In July of 2008, a federal judge reinstated the Endangered Species Act protection for wolves in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.

In January of 2009, the Fish and Wildlife Service announced plans to remove the Rocky Mountain gray wolf from the Endangered Species list in Montana and Idaho, but not Wyoming.

In August of 2010, U.S. District Judge Donald Malloy reinstated the Endangered Species Act protection for wolves in Montana and Idaho.

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