Wolves - Answer from Senator Cantwell

[sakoshooter]

 
 
 

Dear Mr. Wells,

  Thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding the removal of the Northern Rocky Mountain population of gray wolf from the federal list of threatened and endangered species. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

  As you may know, President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act (ESA) into law on December 28, 1973.  This law, administered primarily by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, protects species identified as endangered or threatened from extinction and attempts to protect the habitat on which they depend.  Dwindling species can be placed on the list as either endangered or threatened according to assessments of the risk of their extinction.  The Secretary of Interior, or in some cases the Secretary of Commerce, makes the official decision to add or remove a species from the list based on the best available scientific information. 

  The gray wolf was among the first animals protected under the Endangered Species Preservation Act, a predecessor to the Endangered Species Act.  In 1978, the gray wolf was listed as endangered in all of the contiguous 48 states except Minnesota, where it was listed as threatened.  Since 1978, the protections for the gray wolf have been less needed as wolf populations have increased in some areas.  The use of distinct population segments, which allows species to be divided into distinct groups, has played a role in that reduced protection. 

  On January 14, 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began a process of rulemaking to delist the Northern Rocky Mountain population segment, which includes gray wolves in all of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, the eastern third of Washington and Oregon, and a small corner of north-central Utah.  According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, all threats to wolf populations in the northern Rocky Mountains have been resolved. However, the Wyoming wolf population was not delisted under the new rule because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that Wyoming's regulatory framework, which allows the killing of wolves on sight, would not maintain the targeted population goals for a viable population.  The final rule to delist the Northern Rocky Mountain population segment, with the exception of wolves in Wyoming, would have taken effect on May 4, 2009.

  On August 5, 2010, a U.S. District Court in Montana invalidated the final rule.  The Court ruled that segregating the Wyoming wolves from the rest of the Northern Rocky Mountains population segment violated federal law.  The ESA does not allow for the listing or delisting of part of a population segment, as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service final rule had done with the Wyoming wolves.  In compliance with the Court's ruling, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reinstated ESA protections for the Northern Rocky Mountains wolves. 

  On April 15, 2011, President Obama signed into law the Full-Year Appropriations Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-10).  This law included a provision to delist as endangered or threatened species wolves in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Utah.  Gray wolves in Wyoming and the other lower 48 states were not delisted from the ESA.  This legislation does not prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from relisting gray wolves as endangered if the current healthy population declines.  Gray wolves in Washington State are still protected under state law. 

  On August 3, 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it had reached an agreement with the State of Wyoming to develop and implement a wolf management plan.  The agreement is designed to maintain a wolf population at the recovery number set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, while allowing regulated and limited trophy game hunts in certain areas.  Following implementation of the management plan, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will publish a proposed rule delisting gray wolves in Wyoming, which will be followed by a public comment period before a final determination is made.  Until this final determination is published, gray wolves in Wyoming will remain protected under the Endangered Species Act.  The management plan could also be challenged in court. 

  I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind as I continue to monitor the implementation of Wyoming's wolf management plan.  Please be assured that I understand the concerns of many communities with respect to the Endangered Species Act listing of gray wolves.  While I believe in the importance of ensuring the vitality of gray wolf populations, I ultimately believe that Endangered Species Act listing or de-listing decisions should be based on the best available science. 

  Thank you again for contacting me to share your thoughts on this matter.  You may be interested in signing up for my periodic update for Washington State residents.  If you are interested in subscribing to this update, please visit my website at http://cantwell.senate.gov.  Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance. 

  Sincerely,
Maria Cantwell
United States Senator

 

[wraithen]

Got the exact same thing except with my name on it instead. I think they blasted the same email to both sides since it doesn't indicate anything either way.

[bearpaw]

I sent an automated letter from Big Game Forever regarding planting wolves in Colorado and got the same exact reply.... 

[sakoshooter]

That's probably what happened. Afraid to take sides or voice an opinion from what I see in the response. Isn't it nice to have Sen & Reps that don't have the guts to make a decision!

[MtnMuley]

As you're all aware, she's NOT on our side folks. Remember come vote time to leave her box unchecked.

[3nails]

As you're all aware, she's NOT on our side folks. Remember come vote time to leave her box unchecked.

I will.............................................again.

[dreamunelk]

I have a funny story about Cantwell.  Way back when she first started running from office I was seeing this gal who lived in Bell town.  Several of her friends work for "Reel Networks".  Of course Maria was management and all the employee had a nick name for her......Can't Think Well.  And the State of Wa decided she would be a good senator

[foambeetle]

"I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind as I continue to monitor the implementation of Wyoming's wolf management plan.  Please be assured that I understand the concerns of many communities with respect to the Endangered Species Act listing of gray wolves."

RRRRiiigggght.

I love how these form letters from reps and senators always sound like they are written to a 3rd grader, and go on and on without actually saying anything of substance in response to your correspondence.  Makes you feel like she really gives thought to your concerns - not.

[GrainfedMuley]

Since way back in the 90's, we have always called her Maria Cantvotewell..............

[pianoman9701]

When you have a bad employee, promote them or convince them to run for public office. I'm quite certain Sen. Cantthinkwell was probably frequently promoted before being heavily backed by her employer to run for office.

[dreamunelk]

Have to wonder if there was not some strategic after office hours career moves to earn those promotions and bonuses?

[CAMPMEAT]

Typical politicians response. She could give 2 poops about the issue.

[pianoman9701]

Typical politicians response. She could give 2 poops about the issue.

Au contraire, her voting record shows that she would care very much about this issue - on the side of the wolves. She votes tree-hugger at every opportunity.

[CAMPMEAT]

Typical politicians response. She could give 2 poops about the issue.

Au contraire, her voting record shows that she would care very much about this issue - on the side of the wolves. She votes tree-hugger at every opportunity.

I know, but I mean, our agenda. Shoulda made that a little more clear I guess.

[400out]

X 9999999 on geting the same letter! It's a typical generic letter wrote by a lawyer made up of circles and escape routes    Unfortunatly we are on our own!!! tree huger have the majority