Two coalitions prepare to sue over Wyoming wolves

[bearpaw]

Two coalitions prepare to sue over Wyoming wolves
 
by Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online! September 13, 2012
 
On Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, two different coalitions of environmental and animal rights groups sent their "notices of intent to sue" letters to federal officials over the federal government's intention that it will soon turn over wolf management in the state to Wyoming wildlife officials.
 
In one group are: WildEarth Guardians, Alliance for the Wild Rockies, Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, Conservation Congress, Friends of Animals, Friends of the Clearwater, National Wolfwatcher Coalition, and Western Watersheds Project.
 
The second group is represented by the environmental law firm Earthjustice, and includes: Defenders of Wildlife, Center for Biological Diversity, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Sierra Club.
 
To read the details, click on the links below
 
Wild Earth Guardians coalition
 
http://www.pinedaleonline.com/wolf/pdf/wildearthwolf.pdf
 
Earthjustice coalition
 
http://www.pinedaleonline.com/wolf/pdf/earthjusticewolf.pdf

[bearpaw]

Expert: Impending wolf suit could stick
 
Conservation groups have history working in their favor, independent attorney says.
 
By Mike Koshmrl, Jackson Hole, Wyo. September 12, 2012
 
A threat to genetic diversity and legal precedent could undermine a decision to give Wyoming control of its wolf population, a Vermont Law School professor says.
 
As expected, on Monday environmental groups filed a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for lifting wolf protections and opening the way for a hunt in Wyoming. Earthjustice, which has won a Wyoming wolf lawsuit in the past, remains dissatisfied with the Wyoming plan to manage wolves as predators in 85 percent of state when federal protections end Sept. 30.
 
The predator classification will allow anyone to kill wolves at any time by any means, no license required.
 
In a trophy-game area in northwest Wyoming, a hunt capped at 52 animals will begin Oct. 1.
 
A third area south of Jackson Hole is a trophy-game zone from Oct. 1 to the last day in February and a predator zone the rest of the year.
 
Because of Wyoming’s “stubborn” commitment to the predator zone plan, the lawsuit will make a “really strong argument,” said Pat Parenteau, an attorney who specializes in Endangered Species Act law.
 
Continued:
http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/print.php?art_id=9005&pid=news