BOISE – Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and all four members of Idaho’s congressional delegation joined today in praising Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s affirmation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision to remove gray wolves from the list of threatened and endangered species in Idaho and other areas.
“Wolves are a fully recovered species that is thriving in Idaho. That’s a fact, and it is heartening to see that Secretary Salazar recognizes it,” said Governor Otter, who urged today’s action when he met with Secretary Salazar last month at the National Governors Association conference in Washington, D.C. “We know that well-intentioned but narrowly focused interest groups will challenge this decision, but we in Idaho are determined to continue our policy of responsibly managing wolves for a viable, sustainable population that can co-exist with our ungulate herds, our livestock and our people.”
“Over the last month I have lobbied Secretary Salazar to act quickly on this issue. I’m pleased today to see the Department of Interior do just that, and to see the administration acknowledge that states should be in control,” Congressman Walt Minnick said. “I’ve had extensive discussions on this issue with other members of Congress from the West, including Rep. John Salazar, a fellow Blue Dog Democrat and western Colorado cattle rancher who happens to be the secretary’s brother. They all recognize the need for local collaboration and local control, and were instrumental in helping move the delisting forward.”
Governor, Delegation praise wolf delisting
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