[From nobody Wed Jan 31 14:01:47 2007 Received: from senmail4.senate.gov ([156.33.203.24]) by mail.turbonet.com (Cactus Mail Server v8.9.1) with ESMTP id KUM25012 for <lfalen@turbonet.com>; Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:59:12 -0800 Received: from senmail4 (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by senmail4.senate.gov (Switch-3.2.4/Switch-3.2.4) with ESMTP id l0VJn8ob001281; Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:49:08 -0500 (EST) Received: from senmail4.senate.gov with LMTP by senmail4 (3.0.2/sieved-3-0-build-942); Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:49:08 -0500 Received: from SHARED-BH03.shared.ussenate.us (bridgeheadpsq.senate.gov [156.33.222.11]) by senmail4.senate.gov (Switch-3.2.4/Switch-3.2.4) with ESMTP id l0VJllWp000325; Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:47:47 -0500 (EST) Received: from SENATE-MS09.senate.ussenate.us ([156.33.222.41]) by SHARED-BH03.shared.ussenate.us with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.1830); Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:47:43 -0500 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft Exchange V6.5 Content-class: urn:content-classes:message MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Subject: TIME FOR IDAHO TO TAKE THE LEAD Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:47:42 -0500 Message-ID: <96DEE6F0B1EE704E855E780DE10A033D028E2491@SENATE-MS09.senate.ussenate.us> X-MS-Has-Attach: X-MS-TNEF-Correlator: Thread-Topic: TIME FOR IDAHO TO TAKE THE LEAD Thread-Index: AcdFcKtJWN7TsXTmQSGOSCgPusyhsw== From: "Crapo News Release \(Crapo\)" <newsclips@crapo.senate.gov> Bcc: X-OriginalArrivalTime: 31 Jan 2007 19:47:43.0820 (UTC) FILETIME=[ACA078C0:01C74570] X-Spam-Status: No, hits=1.51 required=5.00 tests=SUBJ_ALL_CAPS=1.00, BAYES_50=0.00, RAZOR2_CHECK=0.50, NO_RDNS2=0.01 version=3.1.6 X-Spam-Level: * X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.1.6 (1.0) on mail.turbonet.com FOR RELEASE CONTACT: Susan Wheeler (202) 224-5150 Week of February 4, 2007 Laura Thurston Goodroe (202) 224-7500 TIME FOR IDAHO TO TAKE THE LEAD Guest opinion submitted by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo Idaho and other Mountain West states are home to amazing natural resources. We work hard protecting and conserving these resources, including abundant native wildlife, in correct balance with our livelihood and recreational pursuits. We're fortunate to have science and technology resources to accomplish the best for wildlife and the people and communities that interact with these animals. Last week, the Fish and Wildlife Service started a 60-day comment period on a proposal to de-list the Gray Wolf, Northern Rocky Mountain Distinct Population Segment. This is the next important step in the journey toward responsible co-existence of wolves and people in today's Idaho. Idaho is more than ready, willing and able to undertake management of wolves through effective implementation of the state management plan, in a new environment of sensible de-listing. One year ago, in the Advanced Notice for Proposed Rulemaking, the federal government found that the Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf population was fully biologically recovered. At that time, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had approved both Idaho's and Montana's state wolf management plans. In a change from last year, delisting in Idaho and Montana will no longer depend on federal approval of Wyoming's plan. The current 60-day comment period presents a critical opportunity for Idahoans to participate in the decision-making process. The phrase "speak now or forever hold your peace" cannot be more appropriate right now; the federal government needs input from Idahoans. Please make your voices heard in a constructive manner. =20 =20 The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) recently completed its Fiscal Year 2006 Wolf Activity Report. It reported over 70 packs in Idaho--about 650 adult wolves. There are certainly concerns about wolf predation among ranchers and hunters: the report found that approximately 26 of the packs were involved in livestock predation, and there are ongoing studies about wildlife predation. The most effective management of challenges posed by wolf-human interactions (including the livestock industry and hunting) rests at the state level, especially now that wolves have not only been recovered in Idaho, but are thriving. In fact, when the federal government brought wolves into Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, the final Environmental Impact Statement to Introduce Wolves stated that a "recovered population" would be 100 adult wolves in each of the three recovery areas. That number has been greatly exceeded. With over 85 breeding pairs and over 1,200 wolves in the tri-state area, wolves are successful and ready for state management. Idahoans have every right to manage Idaho wildlife and will succeed with continued proper management, implemented by state and local experts. =20 The reintroduction of wolves was, and is, controversial and emotional. When Idaho takes over daily wolf management, people, wolves and other affected species will find the right balance. I, along with the other members of Idaho's Congressional Delegation, asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to evaluate what Idahoans have accomplished regarding the recovery of wolves. Its conclusion: introduction of wolves in Idaho is a biological success. Now, the wolf program must also succeed in the current cultural, political and economic environment. It's important to continue operating the existing program in a responsible manner for both people and species. As with other wildlife such as deer, elk, mountain lion and black bear, our state is more than capable of handling management of yet another of our prized wildlife resources. I'm confident that the State of Idaho and the Nez Perce Tribe will professionally manage wolves and assure long-term success that has much broader, if not unanimous, public support. To link directly to the comment period information, please go to my website: http://crapo.senate.gov. WORD COUNT: 600 To link directly to this news release, please go to: http://crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=3D268219&&= ........................................................................ ............... This is generated from an unattended mailbox. If you have constituent comments or information you would like forwarded to Senator Crapo, please do so at the Senator's website, http://crapo.senate.gov. Comments sent to this e-mail address will not be responded to]