SEND THE WOLVES BACK
Post Register
Category: Commentary
Date: 01/18/1998
Byline: Jerry Miller
It's not the Farm Bureau or other critics of wolf reintroduction who are running afoul of the federal Endangered Species Act, writes Jerry Miller.
The Idaho Farm Bureau appreciates the chance to speak to the people of eastern Idaho about the recent decision by Wyoming Judge William Downes that the federal government's wolf reintroduction program is illegal. We were party to the lawsuit three years ago that the judge has now ruled on. Had he made this ruling then, you as taxpayers would have been saved millions of dollars.
Before filing the lawsuit we pointed out to Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt that bringing gray wolves into YellowstoneNational Park and central Idaho posed a threat to area ranchers and their livestock. We also reminded him that the Endangered Species Act was not intended to reduce protections to existing populations in areas where species are reintroduced. Farm Bureau also told Babbitt that the Endangered Species Act specifically states a species can only be relocated to an area where it doesn't exist. Gray wolves already inhabited Yellowstone and central Idaho.
Babbitt ignored Farm Bureau and went ahead with the program. Now he's been reprimanded by a judge who admitted Babbit violated the very law he used to justify the wolf reintroduction program.
Furthermore, Farm Bureau is not advocating killing the non-native wolves to meet the judge's order. We simply want them removed to meet the judge's order. Recently, the feds asserted they could do that without much trouble. Environmental and animal rights groups are the ones saying we want to kill the wolves. We do NOT want the wolves killed, even though they've killed four domestic dogs just outside Salmon, and have killed dozens, if not hundreds, of head of livestock in the affected areas. We just want the judge's order followed in keeping with the Endangered Species Act and the law.
Another point is that with between 60,000 and 70,000 gray wolves already in North America alone, why do we need non-native wolves brought in with native wolves already here? The truth is that just because wolves don't live in our back yard does NOT mean they're in danger of extinction. We know the native population exists here naturally. The native wolves came here on their own, and they are naturally reproducing. The judge says the non-native wolves are here illegally.
The upsetting thing is that it really has nothing to do with wolves. Their existence is not in danger. Those who love and care for this noble and beautiful creature should be incensed that it is being used by those with other agendas.
The Idaho Farm Bureau Federation hopes you will seriously consider the issues presented. Some well-intentioned but misguided animal rights activists and environmentalists have given us a lot of heat over this issue. they are the ones openly suggesting the Endangered Species Act be violated. They say the end justifies the means. Could you get away with that argument the next time you're in court? Their feelings don't make the recovery program legal, and ours don't make it illegal, either.
It's the law that made it illegal. We don't want the wolves killed, just removed as demanded by the Endangered Species Act and law.
Miller is director of information for the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation. Write to him at P.O. Box 4848, PocatelloID83205.
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