Washington, D.C. -Last week, Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) joined the House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries, led by its Chairman Cliff Bentz (OR-02), in a field hearing to hear from local leaders about the impact of an unmanaged gray wolf population and the need to delist the species from the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The hearing was held in Standstone, Minnesota, Congressman Pete Stauber's district (MN-08).
“We will continue the fight because it is about making sure rural areas, rural America, farmers, ranchers, and families can continue to do their work and not be afraid every day of the gray wolf,” said Rep. Michelle Fischbach. “The story of the gray wolf is really the story of the failure of the federal government and who pays the price? The ranchers, the farmers, and the families.”
“The growing wolf population and the inability to properly manage the species due largely to its listing status under the Endangered Species Act is affecting our way of life here in Minnesota,” said Rep. Pete Stauber. “What I’ve heard from my constituents is clear, the gray wolf has been recovered. The ESA has been weaponized by radical activist groups that don’t want to follow the science.”
You can watch the entire hearing here.
Background: The gray wolf population has long since recovered since it was first listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Congresswoman Fischbach believes management of the population needs to be returned to the states. She co-sponsored the Trust the Science Act to delist the gray wolf once and for all. This bill is now waiting for a vote in the Senate.
