Gray wolf delisting formalized

The federal government's second attempt at removing endangered species protection for the gray wolf in the Northern Rockies will be published today, with environmental groups already promising a legal challenge. "The science on this is clear," said Ed Bangs of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Helena. "Wolves are recovered." The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its latest delisting plan late last year, but the official decision will be published in the Federal Register today, which sets in motion removal of federal protections in Montana and Idaho. Wolves will be delisted May 4, Bangs said. For all practical purposes, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks already is managing wolves here, but the transfer of control will allow hunting seasons and more liberal defense-of-property rules. "We're not hostile to the notion of hunting," said Louisa Willcox, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council in Livingston. "We're concerned about the overall, cumulative kill level." Idaho's hunting season is particularly troubling, she said. The organization is one of 12 conservation groups that announced plans Wednesday to file a lawsuit in 60 days to block the delisting plans...Great Falls Tribune