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SALT LAKE CITY — A resolution to delist wolves as an endangered species won unanimous approval from a Senate committee Thursday.
Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, is sponsoring a resolution that would urge Congress to remove wolves from the endangered species list, "allowing each state to protect its rural economies, game herds, livestock, and pets."
According to SCR15, the goal for reintroduction and stabilization of 300 wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains has been exceeded by 600 percent. The resolution's list of grievances against wolves includes harm to game, livestock and people, and a cost of millions of dollars to the state economy.
Don Peay, founder of Sportsman for Fish and Wildlife, says the resolution has widespread bipartisan support from more than 13 states. The only opposition, he says, is coming from extreme environmental groups. "The moderate environmentalist groups have said, 'delist the wolves.'"
Sterling Brown of the Utah Farm Bureau said if wolves are not delisted, "landowners across this state have a lot to lose, as do the wildlife."
Jim Karpowitz, director of the Division of Wildlife Resources, said he thinks it's a very important resolution, and that "it's critical that this happen soon." States should have the right to manage their wildlife, including the predators, he said.
Nobody from the public testified against the resolution.
E-mail: averzello@desnews.com
