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House committee reports resolution urging federal delisting of gray wolf after contested testimony
Summary
House Resolution 30, which asks Congress to restore Fish and Wildlife Service delisting from 2020 so Michigan can manage gray wolves, was reported from committee with a recommendation (10-4-1). Supporters cited population recovery and readiness to manage; opponents raised scientific and cultural concerns.
The House Committee on Natural Resources voted to report House Resolution 30 with a recommendation after hearing more than an hour of testimony for and against returning gray wolf management to the state.
Representative Parker Fairbairn, sponsor of HR 30, told the committee the resolution asks Congress to restore the U.S. Department of the Interiorand the Fish and Wildlife Servicedelisting of the gray wolf that took effect in 2020 so states may manage wolf populations. "I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you this afternoon regarding house resolution 30, which calls upon congress to enact legislation that would reinstate the US Department of Interior's delisting of the gray wolf from the endangered species list, thus allowing the gray wolf population management to be handled by the state," Fairbairn said.
Gary Gorniak, vice president of the Upper Peninsula Sportsman's Alliance, said wolf numbers in the Upper Peninsula have grown far beyond federal recovery goals and are harming deer populations and local livelihoods. "The wolves are devastating our wildlife," Gorniak said, adding that local deer-harvest figures have fallen sharply and that some sheep producers report heavy losses.
Opponents included Beatrice Friedlander of Attorneys for Animals, who urged the committee to scrutinize the science behind the 2020 delisting. Friedlander said the Fish and Wildlife Servicein its own peer review processreceived critical reviews and that the 2020 rule contained "scientific and factual errors," quoting reviewers who said the evidence did not support delisting. She also warned of studies showing legal hunts may increase poaching.
Nicole Keeway Bieber, speaking as a tribal citizen, opposed the resolution and urged the committee to respect indigenous cultural and spiritual relationships with the wolf (referred to by Anishinaabe speakers as Myingan). Bieber said a wolf hunt would be unacceptable to many tribal nations and urged robust tribal consultation on any management changes.
Amy Trotter of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs said her organization supports delisting and state management, saying conservation organizations and the DNR are prepared to manage a season if federal delisting occurs. Trotter described past state-managed seasons and urged fixes to the federal delisting process to avoid repeated litigation.
Representative Fairbairn moved to report HR 30 with recommendation. The roll call produced 10 yeas, 4 nays and 1 abstention. The clerk declared the resolution "reported with recommendation." Committee members and witnesses acknowledged the resolution is non-binding and urged that any state management plan be based on science and include stakeholder consultation.
The resolution will move out of committee for further consideration; speakers from opposing and supporting groups said further steps would include engagement with the Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Commission on how state management would be implemented if federal delisting occurs.
