01/06/06 Idaho takes over wolf management

Governor Kempthorne wants you to know that it was a very historic agreement that he signed with Secretary of Interior Gale Norton. KEMPTHORNE "It's unprecedented in the 30 year history of the ESA for a governor to sign an agreement that allows the state to manage a reintroduced population before the species is delisted." That species is the wolf. More than 600 wolves are in Idaho now and Norton said at yesterday's signing ceremony that the state now has the responsibility for day to day management of those wolves. NORTON "It allows for a smooth transition from federal control to full state control when delisting of wolves takes place. Idaho will assume many of the US Fish and Wildlife Service's wolf management duties for wolves south of Interstate 90. These include implementing control actions for problem wolves, relocating wolves to avoid human conflicts, taking wolves for scientific and other purposes." Even with thriving populations in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming the wolf won't come off the Endangered Species list because Wyoming doesn't have an acceptable management plan. Norton said it's also time for Congress to take a look at the Endangered Species Act, how it's written and administered. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott