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MSGA applauds the decision to delist wolvesMontana Montana Stockgrowers Association applauds the decision to delist wolves the Montana Stockgrowers Association supported the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the gray wolf population in the Northern Rocky Mountains from protections of the Endangered Species Act. Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett announced Feb. 22, wolves in this population segment will be removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species. The rule will be published in the Federal Register and take effect in 30 days. On behalf of livestock producers across the state, MSGA took the lead in an effort halt the release of additional wolves in 1996. Following the Court's denial for our injunction, MSGA focused the organization's attention on addressing the impacts of wolf reintroduction and future management of the species. MSGA has also actively submitted comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in every federal notice concerning wolf management. With a wolf population that is currently three times the recovery goal needed for delisting, we are encouraged the Federal Government has utilized the scientific data to make the right decision to take this species off the list. "I'm really pleased that the delisting process will take place and that the state will take over management of wolves," said Joe Helle, MT Public Lands Council board director and MSGA member. Helle has faced numerous wolf depredations since they were reintroduced in Yellowstone National Park. He's confident the state will be aggressive in handling livestock complaints. MSGA has long advocated that any removal of wolves from the Endangered Species, must be accompanied by sufficient federal funding to manage wolves in the state of Montana. The effort to recover wolves resided mainly outside of the boarders of the recovery zone and therefore the responsibility to cover the costs associated with management must be borne by the public. With the removal of wolves from the federal list, wolves in Montana will be lose the duel classification of endangered and nonessential experimental population and now livestock producers can now expect consistent management protocols to be implemented across the entire state. So called conservation groups have already initiated their intentions to halt the delisting, which MSGA will closely monitor and provide the needed resources to ensure the delisting process is completed. 3/3/08 Date: 2/26/08
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