Feds Would Need State Ok For Species Plans

A bill requiring federal agencies to get the Legislature’s approval before introducing animal species into Idaho has taken its first step.

The House Resources and Conservation Committee Thursday sent Rep. Lawrence Denney’s bill to the House floor on a voice vote.

Denney, R-Midvale, said he decided to propose the bill after Ed Bangs of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service earlier indicated the agency would have reintroduced wolves in Idaho in 1995, no matter what the state wanted.

Pat Cudmore of the Idaho Fish and Game Department said thenFish and Game Director Jerry Conley signed a permit to allow Fish and Wildlife to import wolves into the state. Conley felt there was no way to stop the reintroduction, he said.

Gov. Phil Batt and many legislators are against the notion of reintroducing grizzlies into the SelwayBitterroot Wilderness in the same way. Current Fish and Game Director Steve Mealey has said he will not sign a permit to allow the imports from Canada.