In brief: Wolf critic pushing for ballot initiative

People in Idaho opposed to delisting wolves might end up voting for a ballot initiative put forth by one of the state’s most outspoken wolf critics who wants the animals exterminated.

“From what I have been hearing, all of the people who don’t want wolves delisted would vote for it to just keep all wolves listed,” said Ed Bangs, wolf coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Ron Gillett of Stanley, leader of the Anti Wolf Coalition, is trying to get enough signatures for a ballot initiative to have wolves removed from the state.

The initiative calls for the state to end wolf recovery efforts, list existing wolves as unprotected predators and remove them from the state. Officials said that if the drive succeeds and voters approve the measure, wolves will retain federal protections under the Endangered Species Act rather than be turned over to the state for management.

Gillett said he understands the ramifications of passing the measure, but that it is necessary to set up a court case against the federal government.

Wallace

Overturned semi closes I-90

A semitruck overturned near Wallace on Saturday evening, forcing the closure of Interstate 90 for several hours.

The truck apparently crashed in a single-vehicle accident around 7:40 p.m., according to Idaho State Police. Medical workers transported a passenger to a nearby hospital. It was not clear what injuries the passenger and driver suffered.

The roads were expected to be cleared late Saturday night or Sunday morning, ISP said.

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash.

Discarded backpack disrupts ferry service

Service on one of two ferries that run between Seattle and Bainbridge Island was interrupted for more than two hours Saturday after a backpack was found left in a trash can.

The backpack was discovered around 3:30 p.m. by an employee on the ferry Puyallup, Washington State Ferries spokeswoman Susan Harris said.

The pack was treated as a suspicious package and the Puyallup remained docked at Bainbridge Island. Washington State Patrol’s Interagency Bomb Squad was brought in to investigate.

The Puyallup was cleared to resume service around 6 p.m.

BOISE

Otter files appeal for travel to Cuba

State officials have filed applications with the U.S. State Department for Gov. Butch Otter to travel to the communist island nation of Cuba on a trade mission to promote Idaho agricultural products.

Cuba has been under a U.S. trade and travel embargo since 1962, which Otter would like to see lifted.

“While in Congress, he made it clear that the embargo with Cuba has been a failure,” Mark Warbis, Otter’s communications director, told the Idaho Statesman. “It’s not the government, but the people it’s punishing.”

Otter would be part of a trade mission that would include other state officials as well as business leaders. State officials hope to receive approval by the end of the month and travel to Cuba next month.

BOZEMAN

Burned trees to be removed from area

The U.S. Forest Service plans to log burned trees in the area hit by last summer’s Derby Mountain fire, which blackened about 200,000 acres near Big Timber.

The trees must be removed because they are dead and could fall, posing a potential risk to travelers along some roads, the agency said.

“There are very few green islands (of trees) left up there,” said Brent Foster, resource assistant at the Big Timber Ranger District.

The Forest Service plans to sell about 976,000 board feet of saw logs from the West Bridger Creek/Derby Mountain area. It also may harvest trees in the Deer Creek area to the west, Foster said.