States back decision on wolverines

The states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming have noted the recent criticisms about U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Aug. 12 decision to not list wolverines in the western United States as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

For the record, our states opposed the Service’s original recommendation to list wolverines based on our concerns about listing a species that is at its highest population level in the past 80-100 years — and still increasing.

This fact supports the conclusion that state management works for wolverines. The states also expressed our concerns over the uncertainty inherent in using projected changes in climate over the next 40-80 years to speculate what might happen to wolverine habitat and wolverine populations.

The Service, however, did not reverse its original proposal due solely to state input. The Service chose instead to convene an independent panel of climate and wildlife scientists to review and discuss the science underlying the original listing proposal.

Endangered Species Act listing is a complex arena that requires decisions based on imperfect data, and we applaud the Service’s efforts to seek independent advice. It is likely the model used for wolverines, a model based on cooperation with the states, will have utility for future decisions.

Ultimately, the Service made the right decision for wolverines for the right reasons. We thank the Service for its willingness to listen, to keep an open mind and to utilize additional methods to fully explore science in its decision process.

Together we remain fully committed to the conservation of wolverines.

M. Jeff Hagener is director of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. He was joined in signing this letter by the directors of the Idaho and Wyoming fish and game departments.