Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton has announced a proposal to give Idaho and Montana more authority to manage their state wolf populations The Gray Wolf was reintroduced in 1994 as an endangered species to an area covering parts of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

“At that time it was predicted that there would be 406 wolves in the population by today’s time. Those wolves have now been thriving. And instead of the predicted 406 wolves, we today estimate there are 770 wolves in the three Western states.”

The Idaho and Montana state management plans are a first step to de-listing the wolves, striking a balance between protecting the species as well as children, property, pets and livestock. Secretary Norton called the wolf recovery and subsequent management plans a sign of progress for species protection.

“Wolves are a popular symbol of the wild. Their fierce beauty makes them a frequent subject of artwork and of legend. Restoring them would be a visible mark of progress in environmental restoration.”

The proposal will soon appear in the nation’s federal register for public comment. The state of Wyoming is working with U.S. Fish and Wildlife to come up with its plan to meet ESA requirements. Ron Tull, Interior Department Radio News Service, Washington.