All three members of Montana’s Congressional delegation are supporting legislation to restore Montana management of wolves. This, after US District Judge Don Molloy (L-Missoula) placed wolves back on the endangered species list.
Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester (D-MT), and Congressman Denny Rehberg (R-MT) are all calling for legislation to restore Montana’s management plan. While many Montanans are likely applauding their efforts, I can’t help but wonder if their efforts will be all for naught, considering the fact that a federal judge will simply block whatever legislation they pass anyway. Interestingly enough, the only reason Molloy is a judge is because of Senator Baucus’ nomination.
That point aside, here’s what Baucus had to say in a prepared statement reported by KPAX-TV:
“No one – especially the federal government – knows how to manage wolves in Montana better than Montanans.”
Rehberg, who is also pushing legislation on the wolf issue, is hosting a series of public meetings on the topic,as The Daily Inter Lake reports.
“After hearing from literally thousands of Montanans over the past several weeks at listening sessions and through the Internet, I recognize that the frustration is well past the boiling point and federal legislation is likely necessary,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Western Caucus.
The Oct. 6 meeting in Kalispell will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Flathead Valley Community College’s Arts and Technology building.
That hearing will be preceded by similar events on Oct. 5 in Dillon and Hamilton.
In the midst of all this hackling from the Congressional delegation, a key environmental group leader feels they have the leverage thanks to Judge Molloy. As reported by KPAX, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition’s Mike Clark added this:
“As peoples’ tempers cool, there is a new ensuing dialog that goes on,” said Mike Clark “The political system is such in election season that things get heated. We don’t mind the heated debate.”
“The lawsuit we won gives us some leverage,” said Mike Clark. “I think over the next few months we will see a resolution.”