Budget bill removes wolves from endangered species list

[Humptulips]

http://www.abcmontana.com/news/state/119533334.html

Apr 9, 2011

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Western lawmakers say gray wolves in Montana and Idaho would be taken off the endangered list under the budget bill pending before congress.

Inclusion of the language to lift protections for wolves was confirmed by the offices of Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester and Idaho Republican Rep. Mike Simpson on Saturday.

Simpson spokeswoman Nikki Watts says the bill also would prevent courts from reversing any Congressional action.

Environmental groups fought prior efforts to remove more than 1,600 wolves in the northern Rockies from the endangered list. In a bid to pre-empt Congressional action, 10 groups recently signed an agreement with the Obama administration that would lift protections but provide safeguards against overhunting.

Lawmakers including Tester and Simpson said they didn't want to risk that agreement being rejected in court.
 
 
 

[Humptulips]

Just Idaho and Montana though.

S 3864 IS

111th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 3864

To remove a portion of the distinct population segment of the Rocky Mountain gray wolf from the list of threatened species or the list of endangered species published under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 28, 2010

Mr. BAUCUS (for himself and Mr. TESTER) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

A BILL

To remove a portion of the distinct population segment of the Rocky Mountain gray wolf from the list of threatened species or the list of endangered species published under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Restoring State Wildlife Management Act of 2010’.

SEC. 2. STATUS OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRAY WOLF AS ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES.

(a) Definitions- In this section:

(1) COVERED ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRAY WOLF OF THE STATE OF IDAHO- The term ‘covered Rocky Mountain gray wolf of the State of Idaho’ means any Rocky Mountain gray wolf that is located in the State of Idaho.

(2) COVERED ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRAY WOLF OF THE STATE OF MONTANA- The term ‘covered Rocky Mountain gray wolf of the State of Montana’ means any Rocky Mountain gray wolf that is located in the State of Montana.

(3) SECRETARY- The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of the Interior.

(b) Status of Rocky Mountain Gray Wolf-

(1) STATUS OF COVERED ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRAY WOLF OF THE STATE OF IDAHO-

(A) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 1533), the inclusion of the covered Rocky Mountain gray wolf of the State of Idaho on any list of endangered or threatened species under section 4(c)(1) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 1533(c)(1)) shall have no force or effect.

(B) EFFECTIVE DATE- Subparagraph (A) shall take effect on the date on which the Secretary certifies to Congress that the Secretary has approved a State management plan for the maintenance of Rocky Mountain gray wolf populations with respect to the State of Idaho.

(2) STATUS OF COVERED ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRAY WOLF OF THE STATE OF MONTANA-

(A) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 1533), the inclusion of the covered Rocky Mountain gray wolf of the State of Montana on any list of endangered or threatened species under section 4(c)(1) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 1533(c)(1)) shall have no force or effect.

(B) EFFECTIVE DATE- Subparagraph (A) shall take effect on the date on which the Secretary certifies to Congress that the Secretary has approved a State management plan for the maintenance of Rocky Mountain gray wolf populations with respect to the State of Montana. 
 
 

[Humptulips]

Here's the text of what appears to have passed as a rider on the budget bill. Sounds like wolf hunting is on in ID and MT.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-3864

S. 321: Delisting Gray Wolves to Restore State Management Act of 2011

S 321 IS

112th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 321

To provide for the status of the Northern Rocky Mountain distinct population segment of the gray wolf, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 10, 2011

Mr. BAUCUS (for himself and Mr. TESTER) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

A BILL

To provide for the status of the Northern Rocky Mountain distinct population segment of the gray wolf, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Delisting Gray Wolves to Restore State Management Act of 2011’.

SEC. 2. STATUS OF NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTINCT POPULATION SEGMENT OF THE GRAY WOLF.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including regulations), effective beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the final rule, entitled ‘Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Rule To Identify the Northern Rocky Mountain Population of Gray Wolf as a Distinct Population Segment and To Revise the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife’ (74 Fed. Reg. 15123 (April 2, 2009)), shall have the full force and effect of law.

Here's the final rule by USF&W
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2009-04-02/pdf/E9-5991.pdf#page=1

[denali]

Just heard this on NPR, GOOD NEWS         Thanks Humptulips