As I understand it, the USFWS is asking for comments related particularly to the following subject areas:
(1) Biological, commercial trade, or
other relevant data concerning any
current or likely future threat, or lack
thereof, to gray wolves in the WGL DPS;
(2) Additional information concerning
the range, distribution, population size,
population trends, and threats with
respect to gray wolves in the WGL DPS;
(3) Current or planned activities in the
WGL DPS and their possible impacts on
the gray wolf and its habitat;
(4) Information concerning the
adequacy of the recovery criteria
described in the 1992 Recovery Plan for
the Eastern Timber Wolf;
(5) The extent and adequacy of
Federal, State, and Tribal protection and
management that would be provided to
the gray wolf in the WGL DPS as a
delisted species; and
(6) The proposed geographic
boundaries of the WGL DPS, and
scientific and legal supporting
information for alternative boundaries
that might result in a larger or smaller
DPS, and including information on the
discreteness and significance of the
proposed and alternative DPS.
For the purpose of this process, little red ridding hood won't cut it. Make sure you address the issues point by point. If you don't, your comments are meaningless. To just say do it, or don't do it is a waste of time. This is not a political process in the same way that politicians are elected. For example if 100 of you said, the wolf's are eating all the game animals, the USFW service sees that as one comment, not 100 comments. If you said, I believe that there is a threat to the sustainability of x population due to the impact of y pack or something with some real facts or real “meat” – pardon the pun – they are more compelled to take that into consideration. But to use the process to complain or use it as a petition is not very useful in building any long-term management plan or strategy for the species. In fact, it may just backfire.
If it sees a bunch of blood thirsty, rifle slinging vigilantes making a lot noise over this they my be MORE compelled to leave them listed know that their efforts may be wasted if the wolfs get shot up. Just a thought . . . it's not my opinion; it's just one way that they may look at it. Take a look at this, this kind of activity is the worst thing for delisting:
Recent Investigations:
• Wolf Shooting in Grand Teton National Park (12/16/05)
• Gray Wolf Confirmed Shot Near Banner Summit, Idaho (6/23/05)
• Poisoned Gray Wolf Found in Frank Church Wilderness (6/1/05)
• Wolf Poacher Sentenced in Federal Count (8/2/04)
Sure, the process is political, but save it for another level; if you really want to make a difference, come up with something compelling and real. 100 people saying yeah, is no better or worse than one saying it. Also, if you really want to be noticed, write a letter, it's got a better chance of getting noticed and sent around to all the staff if it's well written and articulate, and meaningful.
