Norton stumps for McMorris

Gray wolves will continue to enjoy federal protection in Idaho, U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton said Saturday during a visit to Spokane.

During a press conference at Riverfront Park to support congressional candidate Cathy McMorris, Norton said that although the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is turning over management of the wolves within Idaho to the state, the service will ensure that healthy populations are maintained.

“We are working with (Idaho) to see what flexibility we can give them while (the federal government) maintains control through the Endangered Species List,” Norton said.

Researchers believe more than 400 wolves live in Idaho, largely the result of a nine-year effort to repopulate the species. The restoration effort has been so controversial that Idaho legislators in 2001 passed a resolution calling for the “immediate removal” of wolves from the state.

Now, the state is poised to take over management of the animals by next spring. Montana will get the same opportunity.

Under state control, farmers and biologists would have more freedom to control or kill wolves suspected of causing trouble. Idaho’s plan raises the possibility for eventual hunting of wolves.

Norton said her department made decisions to lift the endangered species status on wolves in several other states. However, after examining wolf-hostile legislation in Wyoming, Oregon and Idaho, federal authorities concluded that wolves should remain on the Endangered Species List in those three states.

Norton’s visit to Spokane centered on supporting McMorris’ campaign for the 5th Congressional District seat. The seat is being vacated by Rep. George Nethercutt, who is challenging U.S. Sen. Patty Murray for her Senate seat.

Democrat Don Barbieri, a Spokane veteran businessman who has never before run for office, is running against McMorris, who has 10 years of experience as a state legislator.

The 5th District race, Norton explained, is considered important to the Bush administration and the Republican Party in maintaining control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Democrats, meanwhile, hope to regain the seat Nethercutt won from House Speaker Tom Foley.

“We know this is a national battleground district,” Norton said.

Earlier in the morning, Norton participated in a roundtable discussion at Walter’s Fruit Ranch in Green Bluff, the McMorris campaign said. The discussion brought together representatives from timber, mining and agriculture, and other of McMorris’ supporters.

At Riverfront Park, Norton praised McMorris’ leadership and said they share similar priorities for balancing jobs and economic growth with the environment.

Both touted the benefits of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, an initiative that critics fear will open the door to more logging and environmental abuses.

McMorris said the initiative encourages the timber industry to improve the health of overcrowded forests by selectively thinning and salvaging fire-damaged timber, which she believes will save jobs while protecting the environment.

Duane Vaagen, president of Vaagen Bros. Lumber Inc. in Colville, a mill that employs 135 people, was at Riverfront Park to support McMorris.

Last year, Vaagen was forced to close a mill in Republic. He views McMorris, who grew up in Kettle Falls, as a hometown candidate who understands his concerns about preserving timber jobs.

Norton visited Mount St. Helens after leaving Spokane. The volcano erupted Friday and was active again Saturday.