Sen. Johnson Plans To Introduce Bill Delisting Wolf Under Endangered Species Act

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson plans to introduce legislation in the U.S. Senate next week that would override a judicial order protecting gray wolves in Wisconsin.

Johnson’s bill would mirror H.R. 884, a bill introduced last month by U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble that would again remove wolves in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan from the Endangered Species List. The bills would override a December federal court ruling that outlawed wolf hunts.

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point professor of wildlife ecology Eric Anderson said he believes President Barack Obama would sign the legislation, since he signed a similar bill that delisted wolves in two western states.

“The president already signed a piece of legislation for Idaho and Montana that allowed for state management of those species. I think there’s an excellent chance the president would sign that piece of legislation,” said Anderson.

Ribble’s bill has not yet been heard by the House Natural Resources Committee.