MARQUETTE -- Department of Natural Resources officials are endorsing the Obama administration's decision to lift the endangered species protection for wolves.
The move will affect 5,500 wolves in eight states in the northern Rockies and Great Lakes. There're about 700 wolves in the Upper Peninsula.
The DNR supports the proposal and says they've been preparing since 2008 with a management plan that would allow them to deal with wolves more effectively, while protecting them. The plan calls for wolves to be considered a nongame protected species.
"Our wolf management plan does consider viewpoints from all sides of the issue, whether it's people who want to see us dealing with problem wolves on the landscape or if it's people who want to see us protecting wolves and helping with education efforts, so whichever way it goes, delisting is good for wolves."
With the federal government's proposal, there will now be a 60-day public comment period. Instructions for submitting public comment can be found at www.regulations.gov, using docket number FWS-R3-ES-2011-0029.
A meeting and hearing is scheduled for May 18 in Ashland, Wisconsin.
After the comment period, the US Fish and Wildlife will consider all of the suggestions.
A decision should be made by the end of the year.
The press release from the DNR is also available to read for further information.
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