Wolf debate lingers into new year

When it comes to wolves in the Northern Rockies, it's nearly impossible to get all interested parties to concur on anything. But if the Bush administration proceeds as planned, there could be an odd mix of groups all agreeing it's a bad idea. Officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have indicated they plan to remove wolves from protection under the federal Endangered Species Act -- once again -- before President George W. Bush leaves office on Jan. 20. If that happens, conservationists, Wyoming ranchers and the state of Wyoming itself could all file lawsuits against the decision. It will depend on whether the Fish and Wildlife Service follows through on a threat to rescind its approval of Wyoming's wolf management plan. If Wyoming's plan is no longer an officially approved scheme, the Bush administration could delist wolves in Montana and Idaho only -- and continue to classify the predators as an endangered species in the Cowboy State. And that would likely stir up a storm of litigation....