News

Feds de-list gray wolf again

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is again de-listing the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List. 

The wolf was delisted before, and then put back on the list after environmental groups convinced a federal judge to reverse the order in December of 2014.  Before that, states including Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin could manage wolf populations.

Thursday’s decision by federal wildlife officials is being praised by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Association of Conservation Districts, and the American Farm Bureau along with some Great Lakes Congressional members. 

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources tells Brownfield the effective date for delisting would be January 4^th, 2021. Katie Grant with the DNR says wolves will continue to be federally protected and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service until January 4^th, meaning farmers cannot protect their livestock from wolf attacks until then. She says DNR is consulting with legal counsel and would welcome the responsibility of again managing wolves in the state. 

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin says, “Although the administration’s decision is the right one, it will undoubtedly face legal challenges from irrational activists as past attempts at delisting have. To ensure this policy isn’t obstructed, Congress must do its job and act to codify it.”