Colorado cattle industry sues over wolf reintroduction week before reintroduction
Just weeks before the deadline for Colorado to reintroduce gray wolves, a federal lawsuit has been filed by representatives of the cattle industry association, seeking to prevent the release of these predators.
The Gunnison County Stockgrowers' Association and Colorado Cattlemen's Association argue that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife failed to conduct a thorough review of the environmental impact of the plan to reintroduce up to 50 wolves over the next few years.
The reintroduction of gray wolves in Colorado, approved through a 2020 ballot measure, has already ignited controversy, and deepened the divide between rural and urban residents. While city dwellers voted in favor of the measure, it is the rural areas that will bear the brunt of the consequences.
Wolves pose a significant threat to livestock, which is a vital component of the local economies in these rural areas.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife did conduct an environmental review, particularly regarding the 10(j) rule, which allows for the killing of wolves under certain scenarios despite their endangered species status. However, the lawsuit argues that this review does not meet the requirements of federal environmental law and demands that a judge order another analysis by U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
So far, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Colorado Parks and Wildlife have not provided a comment on the lawsuit. However, ranchers argue that the financial compensation offered by the state, up to $15,000 for confirmed cases of livestock killed by wolves, does not address the underlying problem they would face.
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COLORADO'S GRAY WOLF REINTRODUCTION PLAN SPARKS POLITICAL DIVIDE
A NEW RULE ALLOWING WOLF KILLS IN COLORADO WILL ALSO GREEN LIGHT REINTRODUCTION
Gray wolves were eradicated from most of the United States by the 1930s due to government-sponsored trapping and poisoning campaigns. Currently, there are an estimated 7,500 wolves in approximately 1,400 packs across parts of the contiguous U.S.
This lawsuit represents the concerns of ranchers who fear the negative impact the reintroduction of wolves could have on their livelihoods.
It highlights the importance of conducting thorough environmental reviews and considering the input of all stakeholders before implementing such significant measures that could have far-reaching consequences.