ST. PAUL, MINN.— Last week, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington, D.C. ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reinstate federal endangered species protection to gray wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. The decision was in response to a lawsuit filed by the Humane Society of the United States, and brings an immediate halt to wolf hunting. Minnesotans can no longer legally kill a wolf except in the defense of human life.
“My phone has been ringing off the hook with constituents concerned about this overreaching decision by the U.S. District Judge ending the wolf hunt,” said Rep. Dan Fabian (R-Roseau). “This ruling was nothing more than a power grab by the U.S. government and activists, unnecessarily taking away local control from the people of Minnesota affected by a large wolf population. Now, ranchers, farmers and other folks have no legal way to protect their livestock or pets on their private property.”
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Minnesota and other states affected by the ruling are currently talking with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about the next legal steps that can be taken.
The Obama Administration removed the gray wolf population from the endangered species list in 2012. In her ruling, Judge Howell called that decision "arbitrary and capricious.”
Rep. Fabian believes Minnesota was responsibly managing the wolf population, balancing the need to keep their population at a healthy level with the need of farmers and ranchers to protect their livestock and property.
“I will be working with the governor’s office, the DNR and state officials to come up with a plan of action on what our next legal steps are,” added Rep. Fabian. “Whether it’s an appeal or a new state law preventing the enforcement of this ruling by local DNR officials, I think all options need to be on the table. It’s the right thing to do for the folks in my district and across Minnesota.”