Post by Kt29 on Sept 20, 2010 21:02:04 GMT -5
Otter sets deadline for ending state wolf management
By Rocky Barker - rbarker@idahostatesman.com
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter told federal officials Wednesday he will take the state out of wolf management if they don't meet state conditions by Oct. 7.
Otter told Interior Secretary Ken Salazar the state will keep working with the Interior Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on an agreement for state management after both lost in court to environmentalists. Otter wants additional flexibility to kill wolves and more federal funding.
"But if we don't reach an agreement within a reasonable time -- we've set October 7th as a deadline -- the State will no longer participate as a designated agent for monitoring, providing law enforcement support or investigating wolf deaths in Idaho," Otter said.
Kevin Richert commentary: Otter prepared to walk away from wolf management
Keith Allred, Otter's Democratic challenger, said the governor is taking Idaho out of the game with his deadline.
"As governor I believe in expanding, not shrinking state sovereignty on the wolf issue and other issues," Allred said. "Idaho sportsman and all concerned citizens want real solutions not political posturing."
The last time Idaho backed out of the role, the Clinton administration handed management authority over to the Nez Perce tribe. Federal officials have repeatedly changed management to meet Idaho concerns including a new set of rules approved in 2008, which also have been
Read more: www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/09/08/1609450/otter-sets-deadline-for-ending.html#ixzz107plzDdd
