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| source: ENS, note radio collar |
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) sued Obamabucks for his proposal to delist the grey wolf throughout the lower 48 states in payment of political debts. Sixteen scientists wrote a letter to the new Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and the US Fish & Wildlife Service director saying that the proposed delisting or "draft rule" does not reflect the conclusions of their research on issues of grey wolf management or the best available science concerning wolf recovery. he primary problem with the draft rule is that it ignores the beneficial effects of large carnivores on the ecosystems they inhabit. The scientists went on to say that the grey wolf has barely begun to recover or is absent from former range where suitable habitat still remains. Several western states have declared open war against wolves since populations in the Northern Rockies were delisted in 2011. More than 1100 wolves have killed in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. PEER charges the entire process used to develop the delisting plan for the remainder of the United States lacked integrity and openness since it involved no independent scientists and used economic and political factors to reach foregone conclusions on questions of biology and ecology. Fish & Wildlife has not responded to document requests concerning the decision process for over a year despite a legal requirement that they respond within twenty working days to legitimate requests for information. PEER's suit in US District Court for the District of Columbia seeks to force the agency to divulge the requested information. Five environmental organizations have also asked Secretary Jewel to reconsider the nationwide delisting plan. PEER director, Jeff Ruch, said the "politics surrounding this preditor's legal status has been as fearsome as the reputation" Amen to that, brother.
