Gray Wolf relisted under the Endangered Species Act in the lower-48 states following a federal court order

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BlogOn February 10, a federal judge vacated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) 2020 rule to permanently delist the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act.Gray Wolf relisted under the Endangered Species Act in the lower-48 states following a federal court order
- Federal court vacates the 2020 rule to permanently delist the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act
- Gray Wolf relisted under the Endangered Species Act in the lower-48 states excluding Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and parts of Oregon, Washington and Utah
- Counties serve as key partners with federal and state agencies in implementing the Endangered Species Act Regulations and Recovery Plans
February 24, 2022February 24, 2022, 11:30 am
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Blog
Gray Wolf relisted under the Endangered Species Act in the lower-48 states following a federal court order
On February 10, a federal judge vacated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) 2020 rule to permanently delist the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act. As a result of the ruling, the gray wolf is protected under the ESA in the lower-48 states excluding Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and parts of Oregon, Washington and Utah. The judge’s decision cites that FWS “failed to adequately analyze and consider the impacts of partial delisting and historical range loss on the already-listed species.” For more information on FWS implementation of the ruling, click here.
FWS began the process of delisting gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains in 2011, and after litigation in federal court, eventually turned population management over to the affected states. After an extensive five-year federal monitoring period, population management has completely been turned over to most of these states, except for Wyoming, where lawsuits delayed the implementation of the federal monitoring period until 2017. In 2021, FWS upheld the decision to permanently delist the gray wolf following a review of the 2020 rule under Executive Order 13990.
As intergovernmental partners in wildlife and natural resource management, counties have a particular interest in the implementation of environmental statutes like the ESA. Counties recognize the importance of the ESA as an essential safeguard for America’s fish, wildlife and plants. They also serve as key partners alongside federal and state agencies in implementing ESA regulations and recovery plans. NACo supports updating and improving the ESA to better achieve its objectives, such as the delisting of a species when recovery goals are met.
On February 10, a federal judge vacated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) 2020 rule to permanently delist the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act.2022-02-24Blog2022-02-24
On February 10, a federal judge vacated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) 2020 rule to permanently delist the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act. As a result of the ruling, the gray wolf is protected under the ESA in the lower-48 states excluding Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and parts of Oregon, Washington and Utah. The judge’s decision cites that FWS “failed to adequately analyze and consider the impacts of partial delisting and historical range loss on the already-listed species.” For more information on FWS implementation of the ruling, click here.
FWS began the process of delisting gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains in 2011, and after litigation in federal court, eventually turned population management over to the affected states. After an extensive five-year federal monitoring period, population management has completely been turned over to most of these states, except for Wyoming, where lawsuits delayed the implementation of the federal monitoring period until 2017. In 2021, FWS upheld the decision to permanently delist the gray wolf following a review of the 2020 rule under Executive Order 13990.
As intergovernmental partners in wildlife and natural resource management, counties have a particular interest in the implementation of environmental statutes like the ESA. Counties recognize the importance of the ESA as an essential safeguard for America’s fish, wildlife and plants. They also serve as key partners alongside federal and state agencies in implementing ESA regulations and recovery plans. NACo supports updating and improving the ESA to better achieve its objectives, such as the delisting of a species when recovery goals are met.

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Blog
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act
On November 25, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued two final rules listing two Distinct Population Segments of the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act. -
Blog
President Biden declares Camp Hale-Continental Divide a National Monument
On October 12, President Biden traveled to Red Cliff, Colo. to sign the declaration designating Camp Hale and Tenmile Range as a national monument. The monument designation includes not only Camp Hale and the Tenmile Range, but ten mountain peaks over 13,000 feet in elevation. -
Blog
Treasury releases Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund payments to eligible counties
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the release of Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) payments to counties. -
County News
County officials hear from Forest Service, Interior representatives
Intergovernmental partnerships are crucial in public lands management. -
County News
County officials stress importance of funding PILT, SRS
County officials advocated to Congress for mandatory funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program. -
Video
Implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Restoring Healthy Ecosystems
Learn about efforts to implement the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to restore healthy ecosystems, reduce the threat of and mitigate the effect from wildland fire, safeguard water supplies, and ensure greater access to federal public lands.
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Public Lands Steering Committee
All matters relating to federally-owned public lands including federal land management programs, natural resource revenue sharing payments, payments in lieu of taxes, and property tax immunity concerns.pagepagepage<p>All matters relating to federally-owned public lands including federal land management programs, natural resource revenue sharing payments, payments in lieu of taxes, and property tax immunity concerns.
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BlogU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species ActDec. 8, 2022
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