A bill to require the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to reissue a final rule removing the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
- Bill Number
- S. 1306
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-04: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-27T14:12:50Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill (S. 1306) aims to reinstate protections removal for the gray wolf by requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to reissue a 2020 rule that took the gray wolf off the federal list of endangered and threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. The ESA is a law that protects animals and plants at risk of extinction by limiting activities like hunting or habitat disruption.
Key Provisions
- Reissuance Requirement: Within 60 days of the bill becoming law, the FWS Director must reissue the exact 2020 final rule titled "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife" (published in the Federal Register on November 3, 2020).
- No Judicial Review: Courts cannot review or challenge this reissuance, meaning no lawsuits can block or alter it.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The bill overrides any current ESA protections for the gray wolf by mandating the delisting (removal from protected status) without the usual FWS rulemaking process, which typically involves public input, scientific review, and opportunities for legal challenges.
- It reverses or bypasses later court decisions or FWS actions that may have reinstated protections since 2020, effectively fast-tracking delisting without new evidence or debate.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The FWS must act quickly (within 60 days), potentially straining resources for compliance. State wildlife agencies could gain more authority to manage wolf populations through hunting or control programs.
- Citizens: Rural communities, ranchers, and hunters may benefit from reduced restrictions on livestock protection and hunting, potentially lowering conflicts with wolves. Conservationists and animal welfare groups might face challenges in protecting wolf habitats without federal safeguards.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could affect cross-border wolf management with Canada and Mexico, where gray wolves also live, possibly influencing cooperative conservation efforts under international treaties.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal and State Agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (primary enforcer) and state departments of natural resources, which handle local wildlife management.
- Conservation and Environmental Groups: Organizations like the Sierra Club or Defenders of Wildlife, who advocate for species protection.
- Agricultural and Hunting Interests: Ranchers (affected by wolf predation on livestock) and sportsmen groups, who support population control.
- Indigenous Communities: Tribes with traditional ties to wolves, potentially impacting cultural or land management practices.
- General Public: Hikers, tourists, and residents in wolf habitats (e.g., Midwest and Western states), influencing recreation and safety perceptions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: By prohibiting judicial review, the bill limits the standard checks under the Administrative Procedure Act (a law governing federal agency actions), potentially raising questions about due process and the separation of powers, as it restricts courts' role in overseeing executive actions.
- Constitutional: Could invite challenges on whether Congress is overstepping by mandating specific agency decisions without full scientific or public process, though it aligns with Congress's authority to direct federal agencies.
- Political: Introduced by Republican senators, it reflects ongoing debates over federal vs. state control of wildlife and balancing economic interests (e.g., farming) against environmental protection; passage could signal a shift toward deregulation in conservation policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY], Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT], Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-04: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2025-04-04: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To require the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to reissue a final rule removing the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. — issued 2025-04-04 — PDF (2 pages)