Will Montana drop wolf management entirely?
Carolyn Sime has been moved from her post as wolf coordinator to work on other issues but it appears that may not be the only change. It appears that Montana may be considering following Idaho’s lead and drop wolf management entirely. At least it is not “off the table”.
FWP eliminates wolf coordinator post.
By EVE BYRON Independent Record
Ken Cole
Ken Cole is a 5th generation Idahoan, an avid fly fisherman, wildlife enthusiast, and photographer. He is the interim Idaho Director for Western Watersheds Project. We do not accept unsolicited “guest” authors or advertising.
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this is not good news at all. Some may not have liked Ms. Sime but she has been a champion in many ways over the years. For starters, she was in that position when the Montana Wolf Management plan was developed… she did this with numerous public hearings and efforts to include the residents of Montana in the process of developing the management plan that eventually was accepted by USFWS.
I have been impressed with her ability to handle tough days in the field and still come forward with a positive attitude during some pretty dark times in the wolf reintroduction process.
It’s really too bad that the state has come to such a backtracking decision, they have only cut off their collective nose to spite a small face that they seem to feel a need to maintain with a small group of residents.
I’ve been told that the FWP has just moved beyond having a wolf coordinator. Analogous to the fact that there is no elk coordinator.
I’m not sure how much to read in to this story. I guess I don’t see Schweitzer as being quite as reactionary as Otter even though he is responsible for the deaths of thousands of buffalo. I could be wrong but he is a lame duck so doesn’t have to be for reelection.
I have yet to see where MT’s Gov. has been helpful to wildlife at any time. It seems that whenever he makes a statement, in public, that sounds favorable to the well-being of wildlife, he backtracks it within a couple days, usually for the purpose of appeasing the ranching constituency as if they are the only ones in the state. May his successor be more rational with regard to whom his responsibilities of governing lie. Though I’m not holding my breath.
Good point, now draw the conclusion. The party leadership tries to consider “blue dog” democrats, especially these “colorful and individualistic” characters out west, as assets in holding majorities and that is true up to a point. Beyond that point and that point is reached sooner than the party leadership likes to think, these guys just cause trouble. A big tent is a good thing, until you’re letting people into the tent who actually want to burn it down.
“A big tent is a good thing, until you’re letting people into the tent who actually want to burn it down.” What a great statement and you made me laugh out loud when I read it. Montana’s governor is a “blue dog democrat” (which means he is worthless as a Democrat) as is Wyoming’s present governor. I could not believe the Democratic party chose Schweitzer to speak at their convention in 2008. Also, the Netroots convention had him as a speaker, I believe. Who are we kidding? They need to check him out more thoroughly before they send him to Washington and give him a job in the federal government. He is a disgrace to the Democratic party. He is responsible for the deaths of thousands of our native buffalo. He is a joke. But he does wear a bolo tie when he is interviewed on television.
Well, a bolo tie…hell, what more could you want? A big hat like Ken Salazar, I guess…:*)