Decision on endangered listing for wolverines extended

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials on Tuesday announced a 6-month extension on the decision on whether to list wolverines under the Endangered Species Act. The announcement comes after state wildlife management agencies in the West asked for a delay, saying the science behind the proposal was "faulty" because it was based primarily on climate change. The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies crafted their request for a 90-day extension of the public comment period during a November meeting in Salt Lake City. The Fish and Wildlife Service said in Tuesday’s announcement that the extension is allowed "when there is substantial scientific disagreement regarding the sufficiency or accuracy of the available data relevant to the decision at issue." There had already been one extension of the comment period. The new deadline for a final rule will be Aug. 4, 2014. Wolverines, famous for their wandering ways and ability to survive tough conditions, were eradicated from the lower 48 states by about 1920. Since then, animals from Canada have moved into Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Washington state. Colorado and California each now have one male wolverine resident...more