There are a host of articles and press releases out today on yesterday’s ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy against a lawsuit contending that the Congressional delisting of wolves in Montana, Idaho and parts of Washington and Oregon this spring was unconstitutional.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has just fired off a news release terming it and a tentative agreement between the Feds and the state of Wyoming “two good steps towards wolf management.”
Wolf advocates think the ruling lays out a groundwork for, yep, further appeals.
The judge himself, bound by precedent, doesn’t exactly agree with what he decided, writing, “The way in which Congress acted in trying to achieve a debatable policy change by attaching a rider to the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011 is a tearing away, an undermining and a disrespect for the fundamental idea of the rule of law.”
Here’s a roundup of info and comments:
Rob Chaney, The Missoulian: Molloy upholds delisting of wolves in Montana, Idaho
Matt Volz, Associated Press (Helena Independent Record): Congress’ action on wolves upheld
Eric Barker, Lewiston Morning Tribune: Judge upholds congressional wolf rule for Idaho
Barring a last-minute appeal, Idaho and Montana wolf hunts will proceed this year.
