Idaho Senators Pleased Feds Are Joining Wolf Lawsuit

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch applauded the Department of Interior today for joining in the appeal to overturn a recent federal court decision that returned the gray wolf to the endangered species list. In August, the Idaho Senators sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, urging his department to vigorously appeal the District Court decision.

"Having the Department of Interior join Idaho, Montana and several other parties in this appeal shows the strength of our case. We have said all along that Judge Molloy's decision ignored the successful recovery of the gray wolf in Idaho, as well as the state's strong wolf management plan approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We remain committed to seeing wolf management return to the state," said Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch.

In August, U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy ruled that the gray wolf be returned to the protection of the Endangered Species Act in the states of Idaho and Montana. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had retained management of wolves in Wyoming due to an unacceptable management plan.

Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter and the State of Idaho appealed the ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks also appealed, as did numerous organizations.