House Republicans on the Natural Resources Committee have voiced their concerns over a Biden administration initiative that could lead to expanded protections for the gray wolf species. Despite opposition from farmers and western states, the initiative, called the National Dialogue Around Working Landscapes and Gray Wolves and Thriving Communities and Cultures, was unveiled in December by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Committee Republicans, led by Chair Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., have initiated an investigation into the matter.
In a letter to FWS Director Martha Williams, the lawmakers stated that oversight was necessary due to the significant effect of listing the gray wolf. They argued that the species has already recovered and should be delisted, with management being returned to the states. The letter also expressed concerns about the vague parameters of the Service’s proposal, which could potentially allow the Service to dictate state management approaches and relist wolves in the Northern Rockies without the support of the impacted states.
The FWS launched its gray wolf dialogue initiative on December 13, with the aim of fostering the long-term conservation of wolves and addressing the concerns of various communities. The initiative includes discussions involving those who live near wolf populations and those interested in preserving the species. However, the agency did not provide specific details about its goals and policies.
The House Republicans are particularly concerned that the initiative could impact areas where wolves are delisted and currently under state management, such as the Northern Rockies Ecosystem. They argue that states in this ecosystem have successfully managed healthy wolf populations, with stable or slightly increasing populations year after year.
Environmental and conservation nonprofits have long advocated for federal protections for the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), citing the crucial role the species plays in maintaining healthy ecosystems. However, western states, as well as agriculture and livestock industry associations, argue that gray wolves have already recovered and that state officials should oversee any recovery plan.
In 2020, the Trump administration declared the gray wolf fully recovered in the U.S. and delisted it from the ESA. However, in early 2022, a federal district court reinstated the ESA protections in the lower 48 states, a decision that did not impact the Northern Rockies ecosystem.
The concerns raised by House Republicans stem from the fear that FWS could pursue further protections for the gray wolf, including in the Northern Rockies region, as a result of its dialogue initiative.
The issue surrounding the gray wolf initiative highlights the ongoing debate between environmentalists and state officials regarding the management and protection of wildlife species. As stakeholders work towards a resolution, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will address the concerns raised by House Republicans and balance the interests of various groups involved.
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Thomas Catenacci is a politics writer for Digital. Stay updated with the latest news, interviews, and content related to the 2024 campaign trail by subscribing to his newsletter.
