"Another proposal to remove the iconic species from the Endangered Species Act will soon open for public comment. Read more about the science and politics of wolf conservation."
"As expected the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today issued a rule that would remove gray wolves (Canis lupus) from the protection of the Endangered Species Act.
The long-in-the-works move would be effective 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register — meaning this could happen by the end of 2020. It would put wolf conservation back in the hands of states and tribes, each of which would then have the right to decide on their own acceptable wolf population levels or hunting limits.
Ironically, the new rule comes less than a week before residents of Colorado will vote on a ballot measure to reintroduce wolves to the state. Many states maintain their own endangered species lists, which can offer protection if federal rules do not, but experts argue that states lack the resources to protect endangered species within their borders without federal support.
The announcement was made during an off-the-record phone call to which few media were invited, and to which this reporter’s request to attend received no response."
John R. Platt reports for The Revelator October 29, 2020.
SEE ALSO:
"Trump Strips Protections For Endangered Gray Wolves" (Washington Post)
"Trump Administration Drops Gray Wolf From Endangered Species List" (Los Angeles Times)
"Gray Wolf Protections Stripped, Stirring Lawsuit Threats" (Bloomberg Environment)
"Trump Officials End Gray Wolf Protections Across Most of US" (AP)
"U.S. to Remove Wolves From Protected Species List" (New York Times)
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