States, Feds & Others Appeal Wolf Decision

Montana and the federal government both filed appeals Friday, asking the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the Aug. 5 ruling that relisted gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act. The state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and federal Department of Justice joined Idaho, the Idaho and Montana Farm Bureau federations, and the Mountain States Legal Foundation in asking the court to revisit Judge Donald Molloy’s ruling. In Molloy’s opinion, gray wolves can’t be considered a recovered species in Idaho and Montana while remaining listed as endangered in Wyoming. Also joining the appeal Friday were the National Rifle Association of America and Safari Club International. “Montanans look to us to manage a viable and connected wolf population while reducing wolf impacts on big game populations and livestock producers,” FWP Director Joe Maurier said on Friday. “Today’s appeal is one of the avenues FWP is pursuing to regain the management authority it needs to meet Montanans’ expectations.” The paperwork that was filed only stated that the various entities want the ruling appealed. But Bob Lane, FWP’s chief legal counsel, said they will present legal arguments asserting why they believe Molloy erred and that the region’s recovered wolves should be returned to a delisted status...more