July 13, 2000 Proposal to Reclassify/Delist the Gray Wolf in the Lower 48 States
This proposal was finalized on April 1, 2003, but due to a lawsuit that Final Rule is no longer in effect.
Summary of the Proposal to Reclassify/Delist the Gray Wolf in the Lower 48 States - July 13, 2000
Gray wolves once roamed most of the North American continent, but by the mid-1900s only a small population remained in the lower 48 states in Minnesota and on Isle Royale, Michigan, and a few non-breeding wolves were observed in the West. Since first listed under the Endangered Species Act (Act) in 1974, recovery programs have helped gray wolf populations rebound. Today, wolf recovery has almost been achieved in the western Great Lakes states. In the West, reintroduced gray wolves in Wyoming and Idaho complement a naturally recovering population in Montana.
These successes have prompted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) to propose a change in the status of the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act. This proposed rule, recently published in the Federal Register, addresses the status of gray wolves in most of the United States and Mexico. It does not affect Mexican gray wolves in the southwestern United States and Mexico, gray wolves in Alaska or Canada, or the red wolf, a separate species found in the Southeast.
The proposal recommends establishing four gray wolf "distinct population segments" (DPS) in the Lower 48 States. A DPS is a population that is considered to be partially or completely isolated from other populations and which contributes significantly to the species. Each DPS would be addressed separately based on its current status under the Endangered Species Act.
The Western Great Lakes Gray Wolf Distinct Population Segment includes gray wolves in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Gray wolves throughout this region are currently listed as endangered, except for those in Minnesota, which are listed as threatened, a less critical designation. Gray wolves in this DPS which are currently listed as endangered would be reclassified to threatened. The development of a section 4(d) special rule would allow for lethal control of wolves attacking domestic animals in North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, and Wisconsin, similar to the current special rule for Minnesota wolves. Wolves in Minnesota would retain their current legal status of threatened.
The Northeastern Gray Wolf Distinct Population Segment includes wolves that may occur in New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Maine. We are proposing to reclassify wolves in these states from "endangered" to "threatened," a status that retains their Federal protection but affords much more flexibility in managing wolves. Threatened status would allow the Service to work closely with state and local governments to investigate various methods to recover wolves in this part of their historical range.
The Western Gray Wolf Distinct Population Segment includes wolves in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, northern Arizona, and northern New Mexico. The Service's proposal would give naturally occurring gray wolves in this region, including those in northwestern Montana and wolves thought to inhabit the state of Washington, the designation of threatened. Wolf populations reintroduced in Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho would retain their current nonessential, experimental status.
The Southwestern Gray Wolf Distinct Population Segment includes gray wolves in southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, west Texas, and Mexico. These wolves are listed as endangered and would not be affected by this proposal. Wolves within the existing non-essential, experimental population area would retain their experimental designation.
not included in a Distinct Population Segment
Status of Wolves in Each DPS (Basis for Service Proposal)
Western Great Lakes Gray Wolf DPS
Gray Wolf DPS
Wolf numbers have increased steadily throughout the Western DPS. In northwestern Montana, wolves dispersing from Canada established a small population in 1986. Currently the area supports a minimum of 63 wolves in 5 packs. Their numbers are expected to increase in the future. In the Central Idaho reintroduction area, there were at least 141 wolves in 1999, including 10 packs that produced pups. The reintroduced wolves in Yellowstone National Park have also thrived. In the summer of 1999, Yellowstone hosted about 118 wolves, including 8 reproducing packs. This marked the third consecutive year in which at least 20 packs produced pups.
Wolves in other areas within the Western DPS, such as most of Washington and Oregon, are not covered by existing recovery plans. Any wolves in these areas, as part of the Western population segment, would be reclassified from endangered to threatened under this proposal.
Gray Wolf DPS
Gray Wolf DPS
The Service is proposing to establish three new special rules. The implementation of a special rule for the Northeastern DPS would allow states and tribes to intentionally or incidentally "take" (harm, kill, harass) wolves if done in compliance with a Service-approved conservation plan.
In Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota a special rule would be similar to the existing special rule for Minnesota wolves, allowing designated government agents to kill wolves that have attacked domestic animals.
A special rule also would be established for the Western DPS. It would only apply to wolves outside of the experimental population areas, and would establish the conditions under which wolves may be harassed, relocated or killed to reduce conflicts with humans. Similar, but more restrictive conditions will continue to apply to wolves within the Rocky Mountain and Southwestern experimental population areas.
Existing and Future Threats to Gray Wolves
Public Comment and Information
Comments from interested parties will be considered by the Service if received by November 13, 2000.
Send comments to:
or send e-mail to: GRAYWOLFCOMMENTS@FWS.GOV
or fax comments to: 406-329-3021
Informal information meetings are planned across the country to provide details and answer questions on the Service's proposal. In addition, formal public hearings will also be held to receive verbal comments; additional hearings may be requested (deadline for receiving requests is August 28, 2000). The locations, dates, and times of informational meetings and hearings can be obtained by visiting the Service's Web site or by contacting us by phone or email as described below.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service posts information about gray wolf populations on the Internet at <http://midwest.fws.gov/wolf>. Individuals or groups wishing to be placed on the Service's mailing list to obtain updates on the wolf's status can write:
or use the GRAYWOLFMAIL@FWS.GOV address or call the Service's Gray Wolf Information Line at 612-713-7337.