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Idaho, Montana, Wyoming wildlife directors
comment on wolverines |
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September 11, 2014 |
September 5, 2014
To the Editor:
The states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming have
noted the recent criticisms about U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service’s August 12 decision to not
list wolverine in the western United States as
threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
For the record, our states opposed the Service’s
original recommendation to list wolverines based
on our concerns about listing a species that is
at its highest population level in the past
80-100 years—and still increasing. This fact
supports the conclusion that state management
works for wolverine. The states also expressed
our concerns over the uncertainty inherent in
using projected changes in climate over the next
40-80 years to speculate what might happen to
wolverine habitat and wolverine populations.
The Service, however, did not reverse its
original proposal due solely to state input. The
Service chose instead to convene an independent
panel of climate and wildlife scientists to
review and discuss the science underlying the
original listing proposal. Endangered Species
Act listing is a complex arena that requires
decisions based on imperfect data, and we
applaud the Service’s efforts to seek
independent advice. It is likely the model used
for wolverines, a model based on cooperation
with the states, will have utility for future
decisions. Ultimately, the Service made the
right decision for wolverines for the right
reasons. We thank the Service for its
willingness to listen, to keep an open mind, and
to utilize additional methods to fully explore
science in its decision process.
Together we remain fully committed to the
conservation of wolverines.
Sincerely,
Virgil Moore, Director
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Boise, Idaho
M. Jeff Hagener, Director
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
Helena, Montana
Scott Talbott, Director
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Cheyenne, Wyoming |
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