No federal protection for wolves

Utah Wildlife Board wants management authority given to the state.

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Wildlife Board wants gray wolves removed from the Endangered Species list through federal legislation.

The board consists of seven citizens appointed by the governor. Setting polices that guide the management of wildlife in Utah is their main responsibility.

Members of the board want Utah's wolf management plan to guide the management of any wolves that make their way to Utah from surrounding states. But that can't happen until wolves are removed from federal protection.

The board approved the management plan in 2005.

The board also supports S.B. 36, Wolf Management Act, which was passed by the Utah Legislature during its 2010 session.

"We are confident that the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has the personnel and expertise to effectively manage wolves," Utah Wildlife Board Chairman Rick Woodard said in a letter the board formerly endorsed at a meeting Oct. 19 in Salt Lake City.

Wolves far exceed population objectives established in the recovery plan for the Northern Rocky Mountain population of gray wolves. But repeated attempts to delist wolves have been overturned by court challenges.

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