Photo courtesy of the NRDC

Most attempts by conservatives to use the recent budget deal to remove programs they were ideologically opposed to failed, but not all. For the very first time, Congress circumvented the Endangered Species Act and removed an animal from the endangered species list. This unprecedented measure, without any scientific justification, concerned the gray wolf in the Northern Rockies. It was attached to the budget by Representative M. Simpson (R, ID) and Senator J. Tester (D, MT) in a straightforward political move that had nothing to do with reducing the debt.

The survival of the gray wolf in the northern Rockies has a long history, a history of wildlife protection and ranchers rights. In January 2009 President Obama ordered Interior Secretary Salazar to halt action on de-listing of the gray wolf until the matter has been fully reviewed.

ACTION: Please contact your Congressman and Senators Casey and Toomey. Urge them to ensure that in future any removal of species from the endangered list only be done by the means set our under the Endangered Species Act, including public hearing and debate.