Press Releases

Video (1:34)

Washington, D.C. (September 1st, 2016) –The gray wolf is clearly recovered, but remains listed as endangered in the majority of Washington State and across the U.S. For the latest Congressional Western Caucus video highlighting the recovery of the gray wolf in Washington’s 4^th congressional district, represented by Congressman Dan Newhouse, please click here or go to: https://youtu.be/Fx3AwHQ7vrM

Video transcript:

“Thirty percent of Washington State’s fourth congressional district, represented by Congressman Dan Newhouse, is owned or managed by the federal government. But the government’s reach goes even further with the federal listing of the gray wolf as endangered.

“In 2013, the Fish and Wildlife service proposed to remove the gray wolf from the endangered list saying the species was “widespread,” “stable,” and that “no substantial evidence” suggests that gray wolves are at “risk of extinction”. This would have put the wolf in the capable hands of state wildlife managers.

“In spite of the gray wolf’s recovery, special interest groups who have profited from suing the government fought the delisting. The Obama Administration buckled under the political pressure and abandoned the rule.

“The gray wolf is thriving in Washington. Currently there are 90 wolves in 21 packs.

“Though the wolf is clearly recovered, it has been returned to state management in only one-third of the state. The federal government drew this arbitrary line, which has created conflicts between wolves and livestock owners, and undermined state efforts to conserve the wolf.

“Representative Newhouse has stood up to the Obama Administration’s failed wolf policy and its harm to Washington families. We need to update the Endangered Species Act so that boots-on-the-ground conservation can strike the careful balance between the needs of people and wildlife.”

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