Wolves, their recovery, and the status of this keystone predator in the United States continue to be really hot topics in Washington D.C..  So much so, that with the introduction of bills, amendments, riders and settlements, many wildlife advocates are left exhausted and confused…  Here is an overview of the proposed legislation that many fear pose a threat to wolf recovery:

HR 509   
To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide that Act shall not apply to the gray wolf (Canis lupus).  This bill would delist all gray wolves, including the last remaining 50 Mexican gray wolves that reside in the wild.
Sponsor: Rep Rehberg, Denny [MT]
Introduced: 1/26/2011
Cosponsors: 49
Related Bills: S.249
Latest Major Action: 1/26/2011 -Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

HR510     
Idaho and Montana Wolf Management Act of 2011.  This bill would delist Northern Rocky Mountain gray wolves in Idaho and Montana.
Sponsor: Rep Rehberg, Denny [MT]
Introduced: 1/26/2011
Cosponsors: 2
Related Bills: H.R.838
Latest Major Action: 1/26/2011 – Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

HR1042 
To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require that certain species be treated as extinct for purposes of that Act if there is not a substantial increase in the population of a species during the 15-year period beginning on the date the species is determined to be an endangered species, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Baca [CA]
Introduced: 3/11/2011
Cosponsors: 8
Latest Major Action: 3/11/11: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
 
HR 838
To prohibit treatment of gray wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan as endangered species, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Kline [MN]
Introduced: 2/28/2011
Cosponsors: 8
Latest Major Action: 2/28/11: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

S 321    
A bill to provide for the status of the Northern Rocky Mountain distinct population segment of the gray wolf, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Baucus [MT]
Introduced: 2/10/2011
Cosponsors: 1
Latest Major Action: 2/10/11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Status: Referred to  to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

S 249
A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide that Act shall not apply to any gray wolf (Canis lupus).
Sponsor: Sen Hatch [UT]
Introduced: 2/1/2011
Related Bills: H.R.509
Latest Major Action: 2/1/2011 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

H.R.1
Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
The Continuing Resolution Bill, which is needed to continue to fund government operations, had numerous amendments to delist or defund wolves. Two of these were attached as riders by Senator Jon Tester and by Representative Steven Pearce. The Continuing Resolution Bill was defeated in its previous versions but will be coming back, and no-one in the Senate has taken action to remove the Tester rider to delist the northern Rockies gray wolves.

If the above proposed legislation have your hackles raised, it’s not to late to contact your representatives to share your concerns.

TO CONTACT:  regarding bills in the House (HR…) or Senate (S…)

1. House Committee on Natural Resources – Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs http://naturalresources.house.gov/About/MembersFisheries.htm    or   http://www.govtrack.us/congress/committee.xpd?id=HSII
2. Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works – Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Subcommittees.Subcommittee&Subcommittee_id=47af17cb-6eeb-4fdc-b02d-0abb49d2eacb   or    http://www.govtrack.us/congress/committee.xpd?id=SSEV

TO CONTACT:  regarding “riders” in the budget bills: 

Senate Committee on Appropriations – Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies:  http://appropriations.senate.gov/sc-interior.cfm   –    or   http://www.govtrack.us/congress/committee.xpd?id=SSEV

For the latest updates on the above legislation please visit  Mexicanwolves.org and Wolfwatcher.com.